Rocky Mountain husbandman. [volume] (Diamond City, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1879-02-13

requiring all mines whose patents have been
applied for, to be taxed. first for their value,
$500, which was spent on them before pat
ent papers were had, and then the addition
al price of $500 per acre. He thought all
such mines now lying with patents applied
tor should be thus taxed, and he even adj
mitted that mines should, in all cases, share
with other property Interests in the tax
burden, but thought it hard to get at the
proper system. ..
Mr.. r. S. Ford favored the-tax on mines,
and thought the Legislature should not fail
in view Of the Importance Of this matter, to
provide a system whereby that interest
would be compelled to.share the expenses
of government with the stock-men. The
increase Of his herds were taxed every year.
and he was willing to pay it, as. well as a
tax on the original stock. and he thought
that miners should be required to do the
same.
Mr.. Sedman undertook, on the part of the
miners, to say that t'ley We're already taxed
sufficient, and went on to say chat he had
paid tax Oh his mines. lie opposed the tax
on tie proceeds of mines for divers reasons,
which we could not get down. but which,
we must say, like the remarks Of Mr.. Court
wright and others, were without a good
base, and failed lin point.
MIR. L. E. Collins, though suffering from
a severe cold and. sore throat, made a very
effective argument on taxing mines, which
showed c~onclusively that he had studied the
subject with great care, and was thoroughly
acquainted with our present revenue law,
and was able to point out its defects, which
he did by the production OF incontroverti-
BILE facts. He opposed the bill as printed,
which, he said. looked like an act to relieve
nonresident corporations and to Cypress
resident miners. He gave good, logical
reasons why mines should be taxed for their
value as is, other property. He said if a
man had a mine'the cash value of which is
$1,000, that it should be taxed for that sum
just the same as a ranch worth ST 900. He
referred to the assessment Of the country.
and to the fact that the old harness taxed
now were valued at more than all the mines.
and paid more taxes. The agricultural.
stock and mercantile interests were paying
sixty-fiye per cent. OF the taxes, which
was Justly assessed to them. hut he thought
it unfair and unjust to see the Penobscot.
Belmont and other mines. go scott free.
These mines We're property Of value and as
should be taxed. He thought the
present law was oppressive on miners if en-
forced. It should be repealed and another
more reasonable one be enacted. To tax
the mine at its cash value. and then tax the
money the miner had left at the end of the
year, after paying his expenses. andsliying.
was fair and rights and no miner should ask
for a more liberal law. He thought also.
that some more attention should be given to
the mercantile interests. That one firm in
Helena handled more capital than the assess
eel tax or the territory on merchandise. In
the revenue law, this matter should
looked into as well as the taxing OF mines.
that all interests should bear equally the
burden OF sustaining the civil government.
which gives the same protection to all.
WILL.
Helena, February s. 1879.
EENEpAg MEuyc