Arizona weekly citizen., 1881-01-30
THE BULLION TAN.
It's EvIls-The Mills to be shut Down
 UsIess It is Repealed.
From the Epitaph.I

From the Epiiaph.l
 The pubIc at this moment are look ing forward to the repeal of the ob- noXious bullion tax law. They are surprised to learn that the Tepresen- tatives Of this district are opposed to its repeal. IL cannot be said that they have not ordinary intelligence. They were selected for their uprIghtness and fair dealings with iheIr fellow men. and for their wisdom m matters relating to law and the making of laws by which we are governed. They were sent to the Legislature Go look after our interests, and Co do certain things well understood at the time they were voted for. Had there been any doubt on that sublec; they would not have been elected. They knew at the time the bullion tax law was an important feature of the canvass. That it was Odious to the miners, op- pressive and unjust in its operation, unequal in taxation antagOnlstlc to the best interests of this community and the Territory at large. With this knowledge they oppose it's repeal. What does it mean Are they de- terrnined 10 force the mine-owners to resistance, to put them "n the defense of their right and justice in the pro lection of theIr property by an appeal to the courts2 To show the absurdity of this bullion tax inquisitOriai law, it is simply the old income tax law revived. under another form and name. Or do they intend to compel the owners Of mines to close their mills and stop all further operations of mining.
 The mine-owners' interests arc iden- tical with all others composing this community. They ask for nothing more than they are willing to concede to others. They do not desire to be exempt from taxation. They only ask 10 be taxed in like manner with all other industries, and not to be subject 10 an inquisitorial investigation Of their bushes and 10 pay tax on their income. and that every three months. There is no other industry in the coun- try subject tO such a tax. lt discum- mates against he most important ln- dustry-an industry which IS building up our towns, making cities, drawing millions of foreign capital to the Ter ritOry and giving employment Co thousands of men. The word par amount industry has been omitted because some of the advocates for the retention of the bullion tax object Co the word; but that does not change or disprOve ihe fact that mining is yet in its infancy and should be tOslered and protected by every means, and moi throttled by any prejudice or short sightedness 0n the part ot the Lcgis- laturc, and the people, who are most potent and generally just will see to it that their servants shall uo right. To make the operation of Inc law equal. the merchant should be com pelled Co report his sales of goods, the cost of dispOs.ng of them, and certain other incidental expenses, and a.icr deductiug the amount from his gross sales, strike a balance, make out a statement, swear to it, and pay two per cent, every three months Co fine tax collector, and so should all persons engaged in any business, of whatever nature, name or kind. When the law is so framed it would conform to the present bulliOn-taX law Co which the mine-owner is now subjected.
 Where is the justice of such law Another feature of the law provides that the money collected from he miner shall be appropriated to tbe building of roads and highways. The law has been in force since 1875, and it would be interesting for the advocates of the law Co point to 90 ] road which the county has built.
 The Government of the United l States has built military roads. The 1 stage companies built from TucSru. The Tombstone Mill and Mining Company built ihe road to Charles ton. The Contention mine. now the | Western Company, built the road 10 | Contention City, and other roads have l been built by mine-O and freighters. So much for the money and the uses to which it has been ap- piled.
 In no manner does the money col | lected from this tax lessen the burden | of taxation, because the law provides ! for what purposes it shall be used, 1 and the most ancient resident of the Territory cannot pOInt to an instance | wherein it has been used as the law provides or for any known purposes. | The production of soil should be | as free from taxation as the air we breath.
 This is the opinion of the best writ CTS on political economy throughout the civilized world.
 EuEE Gprr TIP