The Idaho world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1864-1918, 1865-03-18
4 STATE GOVERNMENT AND TAX
ING THE MINES.

claims is valid. Two years ago the question
of State Government was submitted to the
people. Public sentiment favored it-partly
under the influence of politicians looking for
a soft place to fall into, and partly from the
dissatisfaction existing against the acting
Judiciary of the Territory. A short time
afterwards a Constitution providing for the
taxation of the mineral claims was submitted
to the people for their ratification, but it was
voted down by a very large majority. The
people could not endure the idea of taxing
mining claims. Last Summer, however, the
politicians again prevailed. The people were
told that State Government could be main
tanned at no greater expense to the taxpayers
than Territorial Government. The courts
had became mockery and by-word. Nearly
quarter of the population wanted Office.
The Administration and the Federal officers
wanted the Electoral vote for the benefit of
Mr. Lincoln; and under the pressure of these
combined influences, a State Constitution
was adopted. But there, is nothing with
which the expenses of the State Government
can. be betrayed The Legislature met, but
money enough topay their daily board bills
could not be fonnd in the empty vaults of the
State Treasurer. To raise funds, they were
bound to tax the mineral, lands This has
created much disappointment and dissatisfac-
ton. Many of the lodges there are valuable,
but the owners have no title as against the
General Government, which last is also
to levy tax upon the same
claims In the language of an ex-Assembly-
man of that Territory" The people are sick
of it, and wish themselves back again in the
original Territorial condition"
1t is not generally known that similar
project was on foot here during last Fall. We
have information positive and direct, which
shows that Gov. Wallace and Gov. Lyon were
both parties to the attempt to foist State
Government upon US. A seat in the United
States Senate with one of these gentlemen
was the inducement, and probably with both.
The subject was preached by them to many
prominent Republicans in this vicinity, and
its feasibility strenuouslys advocated. AL
though the Territory was Democratic, they
hoped to be able to control the Legislature of
this Winter, and of next. The Election law
into the Legislature last December,
and the Militia law were portion Of the
by which the object could be
attained. The Election law was principally
Militia bill provided for an enrolment Of the
people, and the organization into companies
under the command of officers and stats
numerous, enough to enable Gen. Grant to
storm Richmond. These troops could be
ordered from one county into another on any
Titus Otis pretence of civil disturbances or
gotten up for the occasion, and
through them it was supposed sufficient
Legislative members could be elected to
secure the Senatorship-and perhaps all of
the officers.
The defeat of these bills by the Democratic
members of the last Legislature, nipped the
scheme in the bud, and Gov. Lyon in disgust
has left the Territory-perhaps to prosecute
his designs to better purpose at Washington.
An effort will probably be made there to
carve up the Territory in some new shape
with portion of Washington Territory, with
the purpose of creating State in some
portion of it.
These are not fancies, but statement of
facts which are well known 60 some in this
vicinity.
The people here can form some idea of the
condition in which they would soon find
themselves should the project be successful.
Idaho is younger than Nevada Nevada is
nearer San Francisco, from which it has
derived most of its capitaE Taxation of the
mines, as well as the Improvements on them,
has already been essential to raise revenue.
Do the thousands of hopeful men who are
investing their money and their labor in the
quartz lodges of Idaho, desire this additional
tax heaped upon them? We think not. LII
would be disastrous to the whole community,
by destroying the incentives for settlement,
investment and labor. The taxes are high
Daw u7itbonf o0u mora. oDd Is CoD