The Placer herald., 1864-03-19
Condition of the State Treasurv

The Legislature has been in session all
winter, and in few days will adjourn until
December, 1865, unless specially convened,
and yet they have done little or nothing to
improve the finances of the State. The float
ing Indebtedness of the State increases from
day to day, and State scrip is taking that
downward tendency in price that always fol,
lows bad management in finances. State
taxes have increased, but not in ratio with
the debt, until now State taxes
are higher than ever before, with prospect
OF further increase. The Legislature and the
press OF the State seem not 10 have given the
matter serious consideration; but from the
following from the Sacramento Bee, it seems
somebody is just waking up to the impor-
tance OF the subject at the heels Of the ses-
sion. The Bee says:
sit is somewhat remarkable that though
several efforts to that end have been made bv
individual members, the present Legislature
has not yet taken any step toward providing
means for repenshing the already exhausted
State Treasury. Demands on the Treasury
are growing heavier and heavier, and must
continue so to grow, while the resources of
revenue are gradually drying up But little
more can be raised by taxation for the verv
good reason that taxes are about as heavy as
the people of the State can stand. But
there are other sources from which, with
wise legislation the wants of the State Trea.
sury can be supplied. The States interest
In the San Francisco Water Front could we'll
be disposed of so as to realize some 5000
900 or thereabouts but there seems 10 he a
disposition on the part of some to dole that
property out for nothing in parcels to Home.
stead Associations, who are anxiops for
homes with extensive water privileges
these Associations, through their agents
are oeselging the Capitol in swarms. their
pockets full of stocks, which they are liber,
ally distributing to secure the passaoe Of
their bills, for without the State gives them
what they ask their Homestead Associations
will have no land, and their stoc ks will no,
be worth cent. Why will legislators al.
low such harples to prey upon the State
when Its treasury is in snch miserable con-
dlt'onF why does the Legislature hesitate
to sell the States interest in the water front
and thus put money in the State Treasury
and yet apparently encourage the preten
sions of these things called Homestead As
neutrality-suspicious. without land or as.
sets.
The delinquent taxes on consigned goods. il
provisions were made for their collection,
would add some $3.50 900 or more to the
State Treasury, vet the bill for this purpose
YEARLY drags its slow way along. Why this
delay? Why so much dilatoriness in takino
steps to fill the Treasury, while so much
a'acrity is manifested in depicting it? The
State Treasury needs every dollar that be.
longs to it, and legislators will not be held
excusable if they fail in doing their plain
duty If this tax is lost, and the water lot
property frittered away, the result will be
deprecated State scrip, impaired State cred
1t and increased taxation on the people, for
all of which we shall have to thank the
blindness of those having the power to rem
edy the evil, if they fail to use it.
100000 MoRE.-Another draft for 200
0(10 m ora hoo ham ~. Io,ol l., H.