Eureka daily sentinel. [volume] (Eureka, Nev.) 1871-1887, 1884-12-20
THE TAX.
"A strong Plea Tor Its Repeal or

N~uhktncNtf0m.
1t is generally conceded in mining
circles that the coming Legislature will
take some action in regard to the bullion
tax, and thereby contribute to the welfare
OF what is emphatically the leading indus
try OF our State. When this Act was passed
1t was universally considered q just levy,
but the reasoning brought to bear at that
time in favor OF the bill has been stripped
OF its logic by changes and the lapse of
time. Then mining was in q vigorous
state, and silver was pouring from the
earth in a steady stream. Other indus
tries were struggling, and the receipts
from the bullion tax undoubtedly encour-
aged many other enterprises in the State
by lessening taxation that otherwise would
nave been q heavy burden. The demone-
tization of silver and the bullion tax
added to the discount has had q
disastrous effect upon the mining in
terest-in fact, il is literally crushing
the industry that made the State and
filled the Golfers Of the world. Every
branch of trade has been more or less
affected by the decline in mining, while
thousands of commercial enterprises that
fourished during the ''palmy days" have
been wiped out Of existence or planted
elsewhere. Our mineral fields are NOT ex-
hausted by any means, but will never be
developed in the manner they should
while weighted down by an unjust and
now burdensome tax.
Every year millions Of dollars are ap-
propriated by the General Government to
be expended upon harbors and rivers; or,
in other words, to remove obstacles that
beset navigation. II benefits are derived
fsA-r axnh n~wA~--- - =
assuredly the case, will not the same rule
apply to any other channel of trade? If
these appropriations were not made, II OBJ
stacles were not removed, how long would
it be before shipping would be driven
from the rivers and harbors Of a
country? To encourage prosperity, every
thing of whatsoever nature that acts az an
interruption must be removed. Nineteen
per cent OF the product Of q mine Is q total
losss to the producer. 1t certainly re-
discover that such Q sacrifice is damaging
to the industry, a serious obstacle in the
way OF mining prosperity. To encourage
and revive an industry that has been Of
such incalulable benefit to the State ia GER
tainly a duty, and the repeal Of the Bull
lion Tax Act would be q decided step in
VIC ~ 2AOhCyt AhC
beings, is migratory, and where it can be
used to the best advantage, there 1t will
surely go. Every act that has a tendency
to ~invigorate trade in any locality acts also
in bringing capital to that particular point.
Offer inducements TO the miner. clear the
way for his prosperity, and the door Of
possibility is opened to other industries
that are invarible accomplishments Of sue
cessful mining.-Silver State.
We believe the above argument is sound
and wholesome. 1t would have been very
unpopular, if, in fact, 1t could have been
offered eight or ten years ago. Then
mining was a big game and could stand
almost any tax. Then anything like a
proposition to repeal or modify the bullion
tax was regarded as a scheme TO release
the Bonanza Kings from their share Of
taxation and to place On citizens Of small
means almost the entire load Of the State
and county governments. 1t is about time
now that something positive be done to
help out our languishing mining indus
try. This industry has stood terrible tax
punishment in its better days for the sake
Of other industries. The latter. princi-
pslly that of stock-raising. which can
afford to do SO, must be required to stand