Los Angeles daily herald. [volume] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1873-1876, 1874-03-10

the proposed change in the revenue
law reducing the duty on imported
wine.
The Committee on Appropriation
reported the action had at the agri-
cultural meeting Tuesday evening,
and their action was approved.
The Treasurer reported full list of
expenditures for the past year, showing
$439 95 on hand. The sum of $3.50 was
set aside for the purpose of consum-
mating the contract with Miss Willard
for painting twenty-five varieties of
grapes.
On motion osMr. Hill it was recon-
mended to the Board of Directors that
they call the next business meeting Of
the association at San Francisco, as
that place would better accommodate
a larger number of active members.
I. N. Hoag, George West, Charles
Kruz, j. Dresel and Robert Chal-
mers were appointed u committee to
prepare a premium list for the Fair of
1874, and report the same to the Board
of Directors.
The Committee on Dry Wines
reported premium of diploma to
Henry Wrinkle, for Reisllng and dry
red wines; also, the same premium to
Robert Chalmers for brandy.
The committee appointed on the sub
ject of taxation reported the following
memorial to the Legislature, which
was adopted, and the Secretary in
structed to present the same to the AS
sembly and Senate:
Mr.. President: Your committee APP
pointed to prepare memorial to be
presented to the Legislature of this
State, in session in this city, beg leave
to submit the following document for
your consideration:
To the honorable, the Senate and
Assembly of the State of California:
WHEREAS, A uniform and equal
system of taxation is contemplated by
the Constitution Of the State of CAL
fornia; and, whereas, the wine grow
ers of the said State have been for
some years past subject to unequal ex-
actions in the mode of taxation, as
compared with the other property
owners in the State; and,
Whereas, Vineyard property is as
sessed largely in excess of what it
should be, the assessment of the same
being in most cases, particularly in
the counties of Napa and Sonoma, at
from $40 to $50 per acre, land which
if used for any otherpurpose, would be
rented at from So to $40 per acre, and
the vines ON the same being assessed
at the rate of 500 per acre, and an adj
ditional assessment being put on the
value of the same, the must on the
pressed juice Of the grapes being gen.
orally assessed at from fifteen to twen-
ty cents per gallon, making such as
sessments and taxation most Onerous
and entirely unequal with the valua-
ton of all other classes of property in
the State; and
Whereas, The wine growers of
this State have invested large capt.
tai in this important branch of indus
try, and have heretofore labored UNI
der great disadvantages and have
struggled hard to build up business
which will be of the greatest impor-
lance and advantage to the State, and
have been rather oppressed by an un-
equal and heavy taxation, instead of
having received encouragement and a
fostering care from the State; there
fore
Resolved, That we, the wine grow
ers of the State OF California in con-
vention assembled, most respectfully
ask the Senate and Assembly of the
State to amend the revenue law so as
to prevent a double or triple taxation
of their property, and that their vine
yards be assessed according to the
value of the land, and that their grow
ing crops be exempted from taxation,
the same being more uncertain than
are those of any other, and the must
or the pressed juice of the grape be not
considered taxable property, as the
same cannot be called or considered
wine until it is one year old.
Resolved, That we do not ask this
as favor, but as simple act of JUS
tice to a young and growing interest,
which now pays more dollars into the
treasury in proportion to the amount
of capital invested than any other in
dustrial pursuit in the State, and with
a remuneration far below that Of any
other branch of agriculture.
All of which we most respectfully
submit to the favorable consideration
of your honorable body, hoping that
the required relief be granted.
Signed: Wohler, West, Strobel,
Chandler, Backus.
The meeting then adjourned.