Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1880-01-09

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property, including credits, franchises, bonds
and stocks, shall be taxed, and laws must be
passed for the carrying out of this require
ment. Not. however, in such manner as to
result in double taxation, to which | am most
emphatically and unalterably opposed. Debts
due to A should be made an offset to hke
amount of debts A might be owing to b, and
the assessments made on the balance only.
The stock of corporations is required to be
taxed. If an attempt is made to tax the real
and personal property, franchises, etc. Oh
private persons and corporations, and an
other taxation of the stock and in
dividual bonds, it would be double tax
alton, and, as such, oppressive and unjust.
To prevent this, and at the same time to in
sure that all the property of any firm or COR
poration having capital stock shall be
properly taxed. would it not be the plan OF
wisdom to secure the assessment OF all stock
at its market value to the company issuing
it. after deducting the value of all assess
ments on the real and personal property OF
such company as may have been otherwise
made.
By this means many millions of dollars
may be added to the taxable wealth OF the
State. The tax being paid by the company,
the distribution of the assessment among the
stockholders would be equitable, while to at
tempt to assess the stock to individual hold
srs would prove to be practically impossible,
and result in much of it escaping taxation.
Under the. present laws improvements con-
structed on real estate which is itself exempt
from taxation are not assessable. 1t seems
only Just that the code should be so amended
that the improvements alone may be mace
liable for the amount of the tax.
The new Constitution makes provision for
the assessment and collection of income taxes
in such cases and amounts, and in such man
ner as shall be prescribed by law; and while
L am not prepared to recommend immediate
legislation upon the subject, am persuaded
that tax upon personal incomes, exceeding
say S., 600, properly and impartially executed,
would be of most essential service in lmpos-
ing the burden of taxation upon those most
able to bear it, and compel them to AID IN
supporting the government which makes
possible the acquisition of wealth, and pro-
tects its possession, thus relieving the limited
means of the less fortunate and the small
property of widows and orphans from I'M
necessary impositions. But for the constitu-
tional inhibition against exemption of any
property from taxation, l should have been
happy to recommend moderate exemption
from taxation of the property of these GER
tain classes of persons; but since that is i'm
practicable, their burdens may be lightened
by Just and searching income tax.
NATIONAL GUARD.
Domestic tranquility and the obligations of
the State to the Federal Government alike
REQUIRE that the National Guard should be
encouraged and maintained in state OF
efficiency by such proper appropriations as
will enable the citizen soldier to feel that his
service and preparation for possible exigen-
cies, which sooner or later may arise in State
or national affairs, are appreciated and re-
warded. While standing armies have been
well designated as perpetual menace to tree
institutions, the people should be so sutfi-
GENTLY trained to the use of arms as to make
possible the defense of the Government in
any condition of affairs. The Congress of the
United States has this subject now under
and it is not unlikely that
liberal appropriations may be made for dis
tribution to the States of funds for the crea-
ton and support of the National Guard. In
the meantime, | hope the State of California
will do its whole duty, as far as may be con-
sistent with principles of economy, by the
National Guard of California.
CHINESE IMMIGRATION.
At the last election, in accordance with the
statute providing therefor, vote of the peo-
pie of this State was taken upon the question
Of Chinese immigration-''for and against
the policy of permitting it to continue unre-
as at present. Out of a total vote of
161, 405 only 8S3 votes were '.for" such irnmi-
grafton. The ballot was secret-there was no
extraordinary excitement or the subject; the
result should be accepted as fair indication
of the real opinion of our people on this
question. 1t ought to be accepted
everywhere as conclusive evidence that there
is practically no difference of opinion among
the people of this State relative to the policy
of prohibiting the further increase of the
Chinese element of our population. The
question has ceased to be a political issue with
us. Men of all parties are in perfect accord
that immigrants from China are curse to
this country, and that some adequate re-
striction upon their coming ought to be i'm
posed without delay.
It is seldom that the voters or citizens of
an American community so generally agree
upon a question of such Importance as in this
instance. The result cannot be fairly attrib
uted to ignorance or prejudice fully two
thirds of the electors of this State are natives
Of the United States, and a majority Of them
are from the Northern and Western States
Of the Union. They are not affected by race
prejudice. By education and association
they have been well grounded in the princi-
pies of our free institutions, and fully appre-
ciate the sacredness of individual liberty.
In proposing to restrict immigration from
China they are not disregarding American
presidents nor running counter to the spirit
Of our republican government. They remem-
Der that this country was discovered, and
has been developed by people accustomed to
the benefcent principles of the civil and the
common law that our civilization founded
by such people is entirely different from, as it
is much younger than, that which prevails i'll
China, and which seems to hold those born
under its influence with power that cannot
be broken.
An experience of thirty years has con-
vinced them that immigrants from China do
not and cannot assinilate with our people.
They come hither without families, with no
accurate ideas of free government or of Chris
tan civilization they retain their native
dialects, their national prejudices, and
even their race costumes. They take no
interest in our political affairs, and
manifest no desire to be identified perma-
nently with the country, as do immigrants
from other parts of the world. They are
by labor contracts which reduce
them to condition worse than slavery, for
The servitude cannot be abolished. Their
contracts cannot be annulled by our laws, be-
IL L. L.