Weekly Calaveras chronicle. (Mokelumne Hill, Calaveras County, Cal.) 18??-1874, 1868-01-18
Important Measures.

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our delegation. merely giving their titles, at
the time. Although they are all measures
OF practical utility, and as such we hope to
see them become laws, the one which refers
to the disposition of monies collected from
foreign miners, we consider to be of para
mount Importance to the mining counties.
The Act introduced making it incumbent
upon the Board of Supervisors of each
county in the State, to make full and COM
plete statement in regard to the financial
condition of their respective counties, annu-
ally, is a measure which we heartily en-
dorse. 1t has already passed the Assembly,
and We are informed by Mr.. Mentzell, its
author, that it will certainly become law.
We shall publish it next week. The Act
introduced by Mr.. Mentzell, repeating the
clauses of the revenue law exempting GER
tain species of property from taxation, is in
conformity with the recent decision of the
Supreme Court, declaring such exemptions
unconstitutional. Should the Bill become a
law it will definitely and finally settle the
vexatious question of exemptions" for the
reason that similar case can never again be
brought before the Court for adjudication,
affording it no opportunity of reversing its
decision, even if so inclined. We consider
the Bill eminently just and proper. If there
are any good reasons why the rapidly in
creasing property of wealthy church associa-
tons. benevolent societies and corporations,
should not be taxed, their advocates are
guilty of gross negligence in not making
them public. Probably those sanity nabobs
who have erected gorgeous temples, dedicated
to the discussion of politics, lectures on wo-
mans rights, and the worship of almighty
Mammon; whose religion consists of renting
a front pew, and who are trying to work
their passage to heaven on plush cushions,
will clasp their delicate hands in holy horror
at the impious sacrilege of taxing their gilded
tabernacles; but the -burdened tax pay
ers who for years have been groaning beneath
the burden imposed for the maintenance of
such institutions. will hail any measures,
looking towards their relief, with delight.
That is the way the matter appears to US,
viewing it from an ungodly standpoint.
The same line of argument is applicable to
the other species of property heretofore re-
ligiously preserved from the communicating
touch of the Assessor. Mr.. Mentzells Bill
strikes at the roots of the overspreading
Banyan tree of secret and secular organiza-
tons, and we sincerely hope it may become
law. So far as churches are concerned,
we do not consider that frescoed ceiling is
positively necessary adjunct to an accepta-
BILE worship of God, or that the laundering
tones of mighty organ are more pleasing to
His ear than the humble accent of devout
praise. 1t must be the doctrine of the COM
municants of some denominations, that dis
embodied spirits wing their everlasting flight
from the top of the church spre, and that
the higher they build them the quicker and
safer becomes the heavenly passage. Let
congregations build churches upon which
they can afford to pay taxes. The Bill,
however, which is of the most Importance to
US. locally, is that which changes the dispo-
sition made of Foreign Miners Licenses:
An Act to allow all the money now collected
from Foreign Miners to be retained by the
different counties; when collected to be
paid into the General Fund of the county.
That the mining counties are enormously,
almost hopelessly in debt is a fact so gener-
ally understood that it is unnecessary for us
to dwell upon that point. With but few
exceptions, the mountain counties are una
BILE to pay the interest upon their indebted
ness, and the current expenses, notwithstand-
ing the imposition of ruinous rates of
taxation. Some plan for their amelioration
must be adopted, and that quickly. As the
law now stands, one-half of the money COL
lected from foreign miners goes to the State !;
the remainder is apportioned to the thousand
and one Funds into which our county
finances are divided. The State has no need
of the portion of the foreign tax which it
now receives. Her treasury is overlooking
and the public debt rapidly decreasing. The
retention of the full amount collected from
that source. by the mining counties, would
greatly assist their extrication from their
present lamentable condition, without in
ficting material injury or working hardship
to other portions of the State. The beauty
of it is, that the money is to be paid into the
General Fund instead of being parceled out
for the use of those who have had Funds
created for their sole and especial benefit.
Instead of having to hypothecate their bills
against the county for four bits on the dollar,
and pay three per cent. interest at that, the
honest creditors of the county, such as prin-
tiers. Assessors. Constables, etc., would be
able to obtain their pay when the labor was
performed. None of the money would go
into VS. Fund, SIS Fund nor HIS
Fund. There would be chance for those
who work for the county to get their pay
The Bill should become law, and we offer
up petitions. daily, for its success.
Proceedings of the District Court
January Term, 1868.
Hon. S. w. BRocKwAY, presiding.
People VS.. Miranda-Plead, not guilty
trial set for January 20.
Bader & Mckee VS.. D. I.atimer-Notice
for new trial overruled.
Mortimer Phelps VS.. Union Copper Min