Weekly Calaveras chronicle., 1867-10-05
What MIST We Do2

hanging over US like an incubus :" is the
question which now mostly interests the
taxpayers of Calaveras. While the rate OF
taxation is yearly increasing, vampire-like
sucking our blood drop by drop, paralyzing
our energies and prostrating business of ev-
cry character, property is rapidly decreasing
in value. The high rate of taxation which
We are forced to pay, not only causes those
who can convert their property into money
to "fiee from the wrath to come,' but it is
also the principal objection made by capital
lists to investment in this county. A man
must do very good business indeed to be
able to pay a taxation of four or five per
cent. upon his stock in trade, to say nothing
about insurance and other necessary ex-
penses. With debt of say 100000, the
interest upon which. together with the ex-
penditures incident to the government Of the
county consume every cent of the annual
income. how in the world is the principal
ever to be paids In 1870, if we are not
mistaken in the date, large amount of
Bonds become due. No provision, that we
are aware of, has been or can be made for
their payment. Debts cannot be paid out of
an empty treasury and the county's creditors
are becoming clamorous. If the revenue
was sufficient to meet the current expenses,
promptly, matters would not be quite so bad;
but instead of that, a bill against the county
for printing, for instance, after it is officially
approved, cannot be hypothecated for more
than nifty cents on the dollar, and that
amount can be obtained only by paying a
ruinous rate of interest. Now it is useless
to attempt to disguise these facts. The peo-
pie are fully cognizant of the matter and ex-
tremely anxious that measures should be
taken to cancel the Indebtedness, resulting
OF course, in proportionate reduction of
taxation. The finances of the county are in
critical condition and their amelioration
demands the attention of every taxpayer in
the county. There are but two methods by
which the debt can be paid without increas-
ing the rate of taxation: A reduction of the
expenses or an increase in the amount and
value of property. We cannot see how the
expenses are to be reduced. The salaries
paid the officials are not exorbitant, and SO
far as we can learn the affairs of the county,
including the various Courts, are conducted
as economically as possible. Heretofore, up
to the present year, as large proportion of
the taxes, comparatively speaking, have not
been collected. For some reason delinquents
were not proceeded against according to law,
and those who did not "walk up to the
Captains office and SETTLE" when notified to
do so, were not compelled to pay their just
proportion of the public dues. Had the
officers whose business it is to collect the
revenue performed their duties properly, the
county Indebtedness would never have been
half as great as it is to-day. An example
has now been set in this particular, which if
followed in the future will materially assist
in the reduction of the public debt. In our
opinion. however, the development of our
mineral resources and the increase of assessa-
Bile property which will follow as a natural
sequence, are the only means by which we
can ever free ourselves from debt. The in
Vulnerable quartz leads which traverse our
county in every direction, natures subterra-
mean vaults which only require unearthing
to disclose their incalculable wealth, are the
agents which will work out our financial re-
demption. The idea that the great quartz
belt which extends from the northern to the
southern portion of the State. and which is
being worked to our boundaries on either
side, does not extend through Calaveras, or
that our leads are "barren," experience has
demonstrated to be an absurdity. Why,
then, have our quartz interests not been
more fully developed? Not from any lack
of enterprise on the part of our citizens, but
because their energies have been extended in
the wrong direction. Unfortunately for US
the mining fever has ever assumed trans
montana type. Money enough has been ex-
pended in futile attempts to carve fortunes
out of the imaginary silver mines of Reese
River, Humboldt, and Silver Mountain, to
have developed mineral wealth, nearer home,
that would put Nevada to blush in her
palmiest days. Sickened and disguised with
their mining experience abroad, our citizens
are directing their attention to our local
mineral resources, and success is already re-
warding their endeavors. The time is not
far distant when the addition to our wealth
which the successful working of our quartz
leads will surely bring, will ensure the rapid
extinction of our county indebtedness with
even great reduction of the present rate of
taxation.
OUR San Andreas contemporary, the
Register, which, from the day it was launch
ed upon the sea of journalism has been a
staunch Union craft, has hauled down the
stars and stripes and hoisted the stars and
bars. Neither her commander or crew have
proven recreant, however; they surrendered
to the force of impecunious circumstances.
Mr.. Ransom has filled the editorial chair
with credit to himself and benefit to the
party whose principles he ably advocated.
The new proprietor and editor, Mr.. w. J.
Gatewocd, is a gentleman of fine social
qualities, scholarly attachments and a lawyer
of ability. Whether he will be successful as
an editor remains to be seen. Aside from
his politics We wish him unbounded pros
perity and extend him hearty welcome
upon his joining the fraternity. The patience
of Job. CELEBRITY in lodging the Sheriff and
the nerve to look death by starvation calmly
in the face. are indispensable editorial req