Helena weekly herald., 1879-02-13
LEGISLATIVE CLUB.

LEGISLATIVE CLUB.
The Question Of Taxing Mines and Bul.
lion.
The club met last Saturday evening, pur.
suant to adjournment. II. w. English was
called to the chair, and w. H. Sutherlin
elected Secretary. The subject of discussion
was, as proposed at the last meeting, the
question of taxing mines and bullion.
Mr.. Milo Courtwright was called upon to
| give his views. He said he came to hear,
and as he had no mines he had nothing to
say. He would like to hear from practical
miners.
Mr.. Sedman read the bill before the Legis-
lature, and called attention to the omission
| in it concerning the taxation of the proceeds
of placer mines, which were not taxed the
same as the proceeds of quartz: mines. He
said the net proceeds of no other property
was taxed, but the actual value of the prop
erty. He believed that mines should be taxed
by the same rule.
MIR. English thought that at least all pat
ented mines should be taxed, and he hoped
that the Legislature would memorialize Con-
gress to compel persons who had filed on
mining ground under the laws of Congress
to either pay for them or forfeit their claims,
so that others could take them up. But if the
mine is taxed and the proceeds are taxed,
there would appear to be double taxation. 1t
was difficult subject, and it would take all
the wisdom of the Legislature to avoid doing
injustice.
Mr. Addison Smith, of Deer Lodge, be-
lieved that all patented mines should be taxed
for the five or six hundred dollars worth of
improvements which the law required to be
made upon them, as well as for the cost of
patent. He did not think the gross pro-
ceeds of mines should be taxed.
Judge Hilger was in favor of taxing mines |
to help pay their share of government ex-
penses. The merchant was taxed on the |
amount he had invested, and not upon the |
net profits; so it should be with the miner.
Mr.. Courtwright asked him (Hilger) if he
was in favor of taxing bullion.
Judge H. said he was in favor of taxing
the bullion as it came from the mine, month
ly. deducting the expenses Of producing it.
Mr.. Ford asked if mines that were valued
highly were taxed. He was answered that
The mills, hosting works and improvements
we're taxed. He said he believed all property
should be taxed at its true value. He was
opposed to all exemptions-even of railroads
or churches. If people were able to build
hem they were able to pay taxes on them.
He came here to hear the opinions of miners
IS to taxing bullion, but not one had given
lis opinion yet.
Mr.. Sedman asked in what way mines were
from taxation? Was there any law
o exempt them?
Mr.. Smith said there was no law to exempt
patented mines The trouble was ir the law
axing all property. The Supreme Court had
ecided that bullion was property, and the
consequence was both were taxed-the bull
on without regard to what it cost to produce
!, at least in Deer Lodge county. |!
MIR. Steinmetz said mines had produced
,illion year and'it had cost million and
alf to produce it. Should that bullion be
axed? He thought that only the net pro- ]
eeds should be taxed. ,
MI. Collins, of Diamond, said the bill be-
ore the Legislature did not tax the mine it.
If, but only the net proceeds. He said that :
lost of the valuable mines were owned by
He thought the mines and the O
improvements should be taxed, and also the
ct proceeds. This is the rule with other .
roperty and business. All property should
taxed equally. He thought mines could +
as easily assessed as other property.
Mr.. George Foote thought only the net q
'of1ts of mine should be taxed. =
Mr.. Addison Smith made an argument in
vor of taxing only the net proceeds of
ines and the surface Improvements. He
owed that general taxing of mines and e!
e gross proceeds. would prevent the invest q
ent of capital especially from abroad.
ost of the large mills and reduction works
ere built here by foreign capital, and if tax
ion wene made oppressive no more would
me. A
The real producers of bullion, if any were
esent, could not be drawn into the discus
ssion. Adjourned. r. r
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Meagher County Items 47
IEtom the Hushandman -