Gold Hill daily news. [volume] (Gold Hill, N.T. [Nev.]) 1863-1882, 1864-07-12
CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION.

CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION.
THE PACIFIC RAILROAD APPROPRIATION.
AL day Saturday, and nearly all Of
Yesterday was consumed in discussing
the provision for an appropriation for the
Pacific Railroad. II resulted in the adop-
yion of 1.-THE clause, the main features of
which are as follows: The Legislature
allowed to issue bonds to the amount OF
$4,000 900, bearing interest at per cent
the money 10 be obtained BY the sale OF
the 100000 acres of land donated to
the Territory by CongresS-the internal
improvements TO go toward the sinking
fund for the payment of bonds, by 4 Spe-
cial tax. levied for interest; and TO sup
ply deficiency in the payment OF the prln-
cipal; and the whole amount 10 be eN-
pended within this State at the rate OF
$4,000. This proposition is very gene
rous, and the carrying of it into effect
would be big thing for pOsterity; but
those taxpayers who live and breathe
and have their troubles crowded into the
woful present, will hardly be disposed TO
pile such mountain on their existing
load of taxation for the benefit of pos
terity which has never done anything
for US" Nobody can reasonably doubt
that the speedy completion of the railroad
would be of vast benefit TO this Territory,
and that our interests are suffering for the
want of it. But this little dab" of three
millions of dollars, when reduced to the
amount which S3,0OO,00O of Nevada
bonds would bring in the market with
gold at $50, would build but very short
piece of the road. and would hasten the
tine Of its construction across the noun
tains but very slightly. At the same time,
two hundred and ten thousand dollars to
meet the annual interest on those bonds
would be heavier load than the sparse
population and small property of the
State of Nevada could bear in addition to
the other State and County taxes which
would be inevitable. 1t would be fine
thing; but like many another fine thing
which many of US desire in private life,
we cannot afford it. This single propo-
sition, were the Constitution perfect and
satisfactory in every other respect would
defeat the proposition to form State
Government. Il is all very fine and plau-
sible on its face to talk about raising this
interest by the sale Of 100000 acres of
land donated to the Territory by Congress.
What in the devils name anybody would
want of 100000 of acres of land in the
sage-bruSh and alkah plains, or the barren
sterile mountains of Nevada, We should
ike TO know: II reads well enough on
paper, but as matter Of fact and the basis
Of any financial scheme, It is absolutely
and ridiculously absurd. The only lands
that would possess particle OF value
would be those in the vicinity of the rail-
road, and those lands are swallowed up in
the bounty given TO the Railroad company.
II those bonds were issued there would
be one of two things necessary. neither Of
which the people will be disposed to view
with much favor. The interest would
have to be paid by taxation or the bond
holders would come TO grief. The oppo-
nents of the Constitution and State Gov
eminent have arguments enough, cogent
and strong. but were there no other
ground of opposition, the Pacific Railroad
proposition would knock it higher than
kite. At the hour of adjournment. the
Convention were arguing the Undertaking
clause. We are fully and firmly of the
belief that they are merely wasting time
and eloquence, and that their work will
all be rejected by the people. We have
ceased to feel any interest in the matter OF
the final adoption or rejection Of the Con-
stitu,ion. but the general GOODNESS of the
people on the question IS too apparent to
allow of any doubt that the proposition
for the formation of State will be de-
feated by nearly if not quite as large a
vote as It was az the election in January
last.
The BvRSr SHAFT.-The burning of
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