Gold Hill daily news. [volume] (Gold Hill, N.T. [Nev.]) 1863-1882, 1863-12-21
Communicated
The Constitution.


boys, the action which ne favors upon this
question looks more like boys play than
the sound, sober action of men. 1t ap-
pears so from these facts. A very large
majority of our people voted for the for
nation of State. Now, great many
who voted thus, simply because there is
one clause in the proposed Constitution
which they think Objectionable, will rcpu-
date the whole thing, not seeming to think
or care for other provisions which they, as
Union men, should be most anxious to
see adopted. I mean the clause diSfran-
ctnsing any who have favored the rebel
lion. From the good which we shall de-
rive from that provision alone, releasing
us from the filthy scum ofrcfusc California
politicians, who are now among us seek
ing only their own selfish ends and the
destruction of our government, can we
not afford to have all our interest taxed,
whatever they may be. This will show as
nothing else can, our determination as truly
loyal men, to stamp the foul Copperhcad
into the dust in such an effective manner
that he will never again raise his hydra
head to strike at the vitals of our govern
ment Why, to accomplish this end, l
would give all my worthless stock, (Which
Cosmos would throw in the stovc), and
half of my valuable stock, and then pay u
double assessment for five years or longer
toward the support of State government
that would take such high and holy grouds
as this.
hope will be excused if I seem too
hard, for when see politicians who have
used their power in pcrvrrting good gov
ernmcnt in California, and who have been
the main cause of all the misrulc, (of
which we know there has been much in
that heretofore politically afflicted Statc),
come here with oily tongue and Shiny face,
and attempt to fasten upon u<, must
speak out, and warn those who arc too
deeply engaged in accommodating wealth to
tUke heed Of the danger, and the designs
of this class of persons among us. If
they are allowed to rule us, their admins
tration of affairs will cost us double as
much as more honest, upright, loyal adj
ADMINISTRATION would ISit not, then, much
better now, is we have the opportunity,
to say to these renegade ofticc-ScckcrS,
"thus far shalt thou go and no farther"
While we may justly wish to cXpcnd Us
little as possible i'll government, either Us
Territory or State, let us be careful that
we don't let our ''pocket ScnsitivcneSs" in
volve us in worse troubles, by pursuing 4
course that will strengthen the cause of
our enemies, for what good will our money
be to us without the Stars and Stripes to
protect us in the enjoyment of it. We
had better, far better, spend it all in the
support of our government, and live poor
all our days, than to accumulate great
wealth at the sacrifice of good government.
l do hope this matter, viewed in this light,
will Be candidly considered BY our voters,
and tina: they will not, Through an I'M
grounded fear of heavy taxes on the
Mines" BE- persuaded to put of the ac-
complishment of such noble work As all
admit this to be, barring that one question
of taxation.
will now try and meet the arguments,
or rather the assertions of "Cosmos."
Looking at his broader view, "that the
general depression of things consequent
upon taxing everything, is the special de-
preston of industry, or labor, adding /:
put on an additional tax and down comes
labor" One fact which our friend would
learn by perusing the Eastern papers, sets
this question entirely to one side. 1t is
that all through the Northern Atlantic
States taxes have been doubled and treblcd
and instead of labor being depressed,
we hear of its rising almost every day
through the demand of the labor and the
ability of the employer. Taxation GER
tainly in this instance has not caused de-
preston, but rather prosperity in every
branch,of industry. So much for 'facts. "
The fear that "Cosmos" expresses of hav-
ing to pay taxes upon stock that was only
fit to throw in the stove is groundleSs, for
if any one possesses such stock, when
asked by the assessor what it is worth,
can easily demonstrate its value by dclib-
eratcly submitting it to the flames. But
if he objects to doing this, and would
rather keep the stock to look at, Us he
would pretty picture, let him pay taxes
for that privilege; it would cost him but
little and would afford him great pleasure.
leave it, now, in all candor and fair
ness to my opponent, to prove that a tax
upon mines would in any case stop or
check the development of the country.
Only short time ago all mining stocks
were assessed with view of taxation.
This has not in any instance stopped the
working of any claims, saying nothing OF
mines. A claim is not mine. \ mine
is place or hole in the ground from
which minerals are extracted, and until
ores arc found and brought to light, holes
in the ground cannot be termed mines.
Now, when the ore is found and brought
out of the mine, it is as much property as
cords of wood or piles of lumber, and is
worth what it will bring at the mine, and
as subject to taxation as lumber or wood.
The mine now becomes valuable; the
ledge has been developed and is worth
something if it is under the ground. 1t
is worth so much that you are willing to
sell or exchange your horses, lands, lots
and houses for an interest in it. The fact
that ledge may 'petcr OUT does not
stop you. You know your horse may
die, your house burn up, your lots be
jumped or appropriated by these very
mining ompanies-thcrcfore you arc
satisfied that the mine mot claim) is the
safest investment for your money, and in
goes your money.
1 cannotsec any reason why you should
not pay taxes upon that money invested
in the mine just as much as you did
while invested in other property. Let us
have State, with pure, loyal Lcgisla-
turc, and we need not fear burdensome
taxes, for our offices, if we take proper
care, will be filed with men who are in
terested in mines as much as we are, who
will undoubtedly be just to us and to
hTNrD