Gold Hill daily news. [volume] (Gold Hill, N.T. [Nev.]) 1863-1882, 1865-12-11
AsTo1ooA1r

n lew uayS ago, correspondent SUB
gested and argued that no local tax DO
imposed on our mines. The same party
informed US, and through our columns
gave notice to the public in general, that
a member Of our Legislative delegation
had prepared a bill e~mbodying the change
in our Revenue Law which was then re-
commended. So the question is, and is
to be. one of directly stated iSsua before
the people. The subject of taxation Of
the mines is one that has ~engrossed much
of the attention Of our Legislators and
Constitution makers heretofore; and now
it seems probable that we are to have the
singular spectacle of an exact reverse in
the condition of debaters-so far as local
taxation is concerned-on the proposition,
within the first of the years of our Terri
torial and State organization. Public SEN
timent is unquestionably veering nearly if
not quite half round the compass on many
questions connected with our mining in
~terests, and, perhaps, in regard to this
point of practical policy the most wonder
full swing of all is to be noticed.
But there are many popular objections
to the removal Of the local tax on mines.
It may be that they are, in most instances,
inconsiderate-as our correspondent would
probably claim-but their force can not be
gainsayed, at least, not in advance of a
free and full argument of the case. There
will be. moreover, an advantage to the
opposers Of the amendatory measure indi-
Gated, in the fact that the reasons that
prevailed to obtain taxation Of mines for
State purposes and, by permission, for
local purposes, will. mostly, serve to OPP
crate for argument in behalf of retaining
the entire present order Of things in the
tax-statute. These reasons are familiar to
very many minds, are handy to use in the
house, the market-place, the street. have
precedence in favor with the majority of
our citizens. II will be said over and
over again-and with what strength Of
right, apparent-that it 10 not just that a
poor man having a small lot in Gold Hill
or Virginia City should be compelled to
bear the burden Of taxation to its largest
figure, while the rich man whose property
is exclusively in mines, so far as his wealth
is in this county, pays not a dollar OF
town or city or county tax. When the
reply is made that the town or city would
have no existence at all but for the mines,
the reply might take this form "a GER
tain locality would be of nc account as a
manufacturing place, but for its water
privileges; shall the value OF u mill-site
therefore be not assessed and taxed for
home purposes Of Government support"
Or, the question may be asked, in retort /:
"Do you support the plan Of non-taxs-
ton of mines on the general principle that
the strictly natural advantages Of any
given locality shall not be home-taxed; J"
1t will be urged that in the existing
condition Of the market, the mines, which
constitute the source of our life as q bust
ness community, are severely pressed by
the local taxation ; that it is not neces-
sary to tax them IN order to keep up city,
and town, and county governments at a
cheap per ceneage OF tax on all other prop
erty ; that the tax may be brought down
close to 80 so per hundred, if not within
that figure. by judicious legislation. and
not a dollar Of ad raloren. tax demanded
of the mines. It will be claimed that if
the local tax were lifted from our mines it
would enhance their value to a large ex-
tent. by the fostering disposition it would
indicate here and abroad. It may be said
that our mining companies are constantly
engaged in putting up new and very costly
improvements" on which they are, and
they expect to be, equally taxed with
other real estate owners. Precedents may
be quoted: to the effect of endorsing this
exemption as the n~on-taxation Of new
made land, for a certain number Of years,
in certain Atlantic cities I; the n~on-taxation
of canals and railroads in cities for a given
period all to encourage enterprise, to
render it successful, perhaps to keep up
enterprise in the most desirable directions.
There are evidently two sides to this
case and with III staple stock interests
at the loves, figures, it behooves US to give
the subject a deliberate and very candid
consideration.
LANDER on NYY.-Several weeks ago