Gold Hill daily news. [volume] (Gold Hill, N.T. [Nev.]) 1863-1882, 1864-12-16
A Royalty from the Mines.

An article in late number OF the Scien-
tifc American recommends that land rent
and a royalty be charged upon mineral lands
and the product Of the mines. In our opin-
ion no act could be more uni just to the mining
community and detrimental to the general
interests Of the county, without compensa-
ting benefit to the Government, than the act
in question. For what reason should "roy-
atty" be levied on the mines? We are per-
fectly willing to pay our proportion Of the
taxes of the United States, according to our
profits Of business, asking no exemptions in
consequence of the dangers, hardships and
priyations incident to our pioneer life, the
extraordinary risks Of property, and the
great benefits resulting to the General Gov
eminent and the nation at large. But we
shall earnestly protest against paying more
than our due proportion. The demand OF
royalty is upon the assumption that the own
ership OF the ground Is not in the occupant.
The mineral lands of the Pacific Coast are
generally public lands, or Government lands.
II an individual owns lands, he Of course has
the right to exact royalty. It is question
whether the Government ownership Of lands,
and individual ownership, are one and the
same thing. Benton, the great advocate OF
the Western squatter, has declared that they
are not. The Government but holds in trust
the lands, and its duty is to dispose OF them
in such liberal manner as will enable, or at
least to encourage the occupant TO own the
soil he occupies. To make landholders OF
the greatest possible portion Of the people
has been the great object of the Government,
thus securing more patriotic, as well as
prosperous population. :.
A condition of renters Of land is condi-
ton akin to serfdom. Large tracts are thus
held in the State Of New York. They are
the least prosperous sections Of that State !
the people are always discontinued, and have
repeatedly gathered in arms to prevent the
collection OF rent. The /" Anti-rent War
of eighteen and twenty years ago, in that
State, will be distinctly remembered BY many.
The bad policy Of such tenure OF land was
then plainly shown. II it was bad policy on
the scale in which it was held in New York,
how much worse would it be should Govern:
ment attempt to hold and collect rent and
ROYALTY from the mineral lands OF the PACING
Coast. Should it collect revenue from tine
products OF the mines, it should also collect
from the tillers of the soil. The farmers
reap their profits from the public grounds az
well as the miner, and generally, too,
greater profit, and with far greater ease.
city lot should also be made to pay its rent
and its ROYALTY, also the toll road, water priv
ileges, and whatever business or occupation
that enabled man to live upon the pubic DO
main. Such proceeding, 80 manifestly un.
lust, would sooner or later lead to the dlrest
consequences. Such taxes, OF rent ana roy
atty, seriously threaten US, and every en-.
deavor possible should be made g protect
ourselves against them. We call the att !,l
ton Of our Legislature to the subject; we
trust that in their selection Of United states
Senators, they will choose men known 20 9e
opposed to any such movement ana capaoie
Of making their opposition efectuai. y sa
matter Of vital interest to Nevada ana 91e
that should in no way be nsglected.-RerstHe