The union Democrat., 1870-03-12
Tke State sAomld aid she Miaiag Counties.

TAe State sAemld aid ahc Niaiag Ceanties.
The question of State aid being extended
to the impoverished mining counties. attract
ed general attention for several months prior
to the assembling of the present Legislature.
The necessities Of those counties demand re-
lief in soma shape. the members representing
them were fully impressed with the views
ard wishes of their constituents who expected
energetic action. that nothing would be om-
mitted in their efforts to procure some legis-
lation if not directly relieving them ofindebt-
edness that would teHd that way. After the
commencement ofthe session il soon becameap-
parent that members iror, the agricultural
and valley portions of the State were strong
ly opposed to having the State assist these
counties. The members from the mining
districts apparently gave up hope of being
able to accomplish anything in this direction,
and have made no effort worthy of them for
the relief Of their counties.
1t seems that the granting of railroad sub
sides to private corporations and allowing some
of the prosperous counties to lend their credit.
for the benefit of those building railroads, has
required too much time to allow members TO
give attention to the wants of the mining
counties. The representatives of these districts
are tainted with the poverty of their constituen-
cy. When they do not body and soul join in
these railroad projects, or see proper to op-
pose other counties being burtheued with i'm
mense debts for the benefit of corporations,
they are asked by what right they oppose tie
wishes of the people Of certain counties, who
are anxious to assume any responsibility that
will secure them q railroad. The men,
bers Of this Legislature think nothing of
permitting counties to assume indebted
ness for this purpose, as much or more
in amount than their whole assessable
property is worth. It looks very much
as if private corporations have the sole power
of controlling the legislation of this State. 1t
is desirable to have railroads built, but il in
doing so they are to absorb the whole wealth
| ouo po"OA oA eu0 pOopiOs ~ VIII U0 UCltcI W
let time, necessity and individual enterprise
build them. The propositions that have re-
ceived attention amount in figures to many
millions of dollars, if as much interest had
been taken in behalf of the poor counties as
has been for railroads something might have
been accomplished that would have benefited
the whole State.
Mr.. Morrill,, Senator from CaIaveras, some
time since introduced an Act in tho Senate,
which requires the Board of Supervisors of
that county, to make detailed statement of
bonds which have been issued under different
acts of the Legislature, for building roads,
that the State Controller shall file the state
ment in his Office and as the county bonds are
presented to him, he shall issue to the own
ers in lieu thereof, State bonds flike amount,
payable in gold coin out of the State Treasury
payable within twenty years from the date of
issue, bearing seven per cent. per annum in
terest. Acticn on this bill will be looked for
with great interest and although it is late in
the session, we hope that the Legislature will
yet see necessity for showing some attention
to this vital matter which is Of as much i'm
portance to one section of the State as rail-
road building is to the other.