Carson daily appeal. [volume] (Carson City, Nev.) 1873-1877, 1877-02-15
THE LAW TAXING THE PRO.
CEEDS OF THE MINES,

n -.
Communicated.
l yesterday showed the gross Unequal
ity of the present law taxing the proceeds
of the mines aud the injustice wrought
by 1t to the owners of other property.
Incredible as it may appear it is now
proposed 70 amend the present law to
"per lie II more favorably to the mine
owners. A. present the law taxing the
pr'c -; Of the mines aims to tax the
proc lis fter deducting the cost of pro
irc'ioI. 1t is now proposed to estab-
ish N arbitrary percent which in oil
,.ase- sail be taken as the cost of pro-
'uc ion. For illustration it is proposed
to Exempt sixty per cent of the value of
res milling less than one hundred dol
lars and fifty per cent of ores milling
more than one hundred d, liars per ton.
Thus exempting fifty nine dollars and
f5rty cents of ninety nine do lar ore and
i've hundred dollars of one thousand
dollar ore. The proposed modification
will exempt fully one half of that part of
the proceeds now subject to taxation and
reduce the revenues from that source in
an equal proportion. The result in
point of equality will be, that the citizen
VINO ownes no mining property will pay
nearly forty times as much tax in pro-
portion to his wealth as the non resident
owning mines in this State. But ignor-
ing the gross inequality and injustice of
the proposition. how do the members of
the Legislature stand as to their pledges
with the people. Have any promises
been made which require fullfillment,
and which it would be dishonorable to
violate When the Republican Conven-
ton met in Carson in August last, this
resolution was adopted
Seventh-Whereas, in all Just govern
ments the principles of equalization is
recognized as best calculated to protect
the different properties and industries
of the community from invidious dis
elimination; and, whereas. it is eminent.
ly Just and proper that the mining in
dustries of the State should bear their
proportionate part of the burdens of tax
alton; and, whereas, the Constitution re-
quires the taxation of llproperty within
the State, and directly authorizes he
taxation of the proceeds of mines: and.
whereas. the present method of sscer-
tanning values for the assessment of the |
proceeds Of the mines is not Oppressive |
to that interest, and does not in any man
ner discriminate against such interest;
therefore, the Republican party is op.
posed TO anv repeal or change Of the
present law providing for the taxation of
the net proceeds of tine mines, looking |
to any different method of arriving at
values for the purpose of taxation. But
if O reduction OF the rate of taxation can
be made with safety to the interests of
The State, in order to meet the necessary
wants of State and county governments.
hen the proceeds of the mines should
share alike with the real estate and per-
sonal property of the State in the bene-
its of such reduction.
The State Democratic Convention
.dopted resolution of similar import,
md the County Conventions with the
of White Pine) We'd with the
state Conventions in expressing oppo-
ition to all methods looking to a re-
uction of the tax on bullion. Upon
hese resolutions the canvass was made
nd the people were given to understand
hat the present law taxing the proceeds
the mines should stand without re-
cal or modification. Nor yet is this all:
he mining corporations now seeking to
nforce the proposed further exemptions.
trough the press and by their agents
nd attorneys everywhere gave it ont
lat they would seek no modification of
lie law and abide by and stand to the
listing method of taxation.
In the face of these assurances, sup
imented in most cases by the direct
,rsonal pledges of candidates, can it be
,ssible that the members of the Legis-
ture will seriously entertain the meas
q under consideration. To do so would
an act of injustice and perfdy which
ould consign them to obloquy and con-
mpt. RoBT. Nj. CLARKE.