The Idaho world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1864-1918, 1865-01-07
ITO be Continued
Memorial to Congress against the Pro.
posed Taxation of the Mines.

posed Taxation of the Mines.
The following Memorial to Congress a.gains
the. special taxation of the mines, was intro
duced in the Legislative Assembly by Hon
John B.. Pierce of Boise county, and was
unanimously adopted by that body. 1t pre-
sents the reasons against the measure in CO
gent language, and should meet with the
serious consideration of Congress. Mr.
Pierce is a a pioneer miner himself and
knows whereof he speaks" and his able
defense Of the miners and their cause will be
kindly remembered by them: y
70 the. Honorable the Senate and House of
Representatives IN Congress assembled:
Your memorialist8, the Legislative Assembly
of the Territory of Idaho, in Consideration
of the fact that Congress at its last session,
discussed the proprety taxing the mines
containing precious metals within the United
States, and also Of surveying and selling the
same, would most especially but earnestly
protest against the adoption of either policy
as unjust to, and onerons upon theipeople of
this Territory, disastrous to7tbe, interests of
the people, aud to the revenues of the general
Government. <f a
We ask leave to present the following rea-
sons against the policy Of the adoption of
the proposed measure: {
First: The development of the mines, both
placer and of quartz, would be seriously in
jured, and the Government, as we'll as the
commercial world, would be deprived Of a.
large amount of revenue derived through the
commercial transactions growing out of the
business of permanent and prosperous
mining community-a reVunue which would
materially aid the finances Of our country.
Second. Because the mines of this Terri
tory have been discovered and developed by
hardy. industrious pioneers, citizens of the
United States, who have expended in the
aggregate large SUMS OF money, endured un-
told hardships, and incurred many and great
dangers from contact with savage tribes of
hostile Indians, and severe and uncertainlw
tiers, incident to this latitude and the general
elevation of our mineral districts, 4rotii which,
from the nature OF The country, and the long
and dreary distance over which Supplies are
necessarily transported, there is no evasion.
Third. Because Of the great uncertainty
attending adj mining operations, resulting in
failure and RUN in majority Of cases, land
only partialsuccess IN a large portion of the
remainder.
Fourth Because, in The event of. either
policy being adoN ed BY your honorable
body, there woQld3be Dat little or.no, incen-
tive for further discovery or development of
new mines, fromthe fact That as soon as a
gold or silver bearing DISTRICT were discovered,
the x-gathefer's tlighting Influence would
be Immediately felt, OF the surveyor would
segregat6 and sell the same to the highest
bidder, depriying the enterprising and too
often destitute pioneer of the well deserved
benefits of his toll and privations.
Fifth. Because taxatono Of the proceeds-of
the mines is, in our opinion, in direct contra
yention of that clahse Of the Federal Consti-
tuition which declares that all taxes shall be
uniform, as the pro ceeds of-all mines are
subject to the direct and income taxes pre-
scfibed by the Revenue laws of the United
States, like all other property, and justly
should not be doubly taxed. u-5
That you will deem it nnadvisable to adopt
either Of the policies indicated, your memo
rialists, as in duty bound, will ever pray.
PRoHIB1Toay.-We observe. notice given in
the Assembly of bill by Mr.. Pierce to pro-
nlDlE persons OF African ueSCeuL from S6GIllDg
in this Territory. The bin is a good one
moulded; probably, in accordance with the
precedent established long ago in Oregon,
and fixed there by Constitutional provision.
The States and Territories North are forced
to some measu.e of this character, in self
defense, from the great exodus Of runaway
negroes from the South into Northern lad-
tades. Without some legislation the whole
North will be soon be sWarming with free
negroes -main props Of poor houses and
jails-to say nothing of the public nuisance.
BAbrpR KoornEM.-,A Capt; Sawyer lately
arrived at Walla Walla, from Kootnai. He
informs the Statesman that animals are dying
ii great numbers along the road. There are
on the road for men or horses, 7
and parties coming out are liable to perish.
No neVs eonfrmingth the reports of new dis-
covelies onfthe CoiRn bla. TheWhole couq-t
try is rovefed with snow down to the Pelouse. i
DrPopuLATlSe vote in California
n aaQ md 000 H.