The Bozeman weekly chronicle. (Bozeman, Mont.) 1883-1889, 1884-08-27
THE PROSTITUTION.

Some Of our friends are worked up
On the revenue part Of the Constitution,
in which they claim that the mines are
exein:t from taxation. 4 careful ex-
animation Of this question should con-
vince them them that such is not the |
case. The surface value of the ground, |
the improvements on the same and the |
net proceeds are taxed, and the expert
ence of all mining countries has proven
this to be the only just and equitable
way of taxing them. Mines have only
fictitious value, and not until the ore is
taken therefrom and the precious metal
extracted, is it known to have any value
at all. We would like to ask some Of our
friends who seem to regard this feature
of the Constitution as such great bug
bear, this question. Suppose you had
discovered a mine, which had every ap-
pearance Of being rich, and you placed
value of one hundred thousand dollars
on it. what would you think Of the law
that would compel you to pay taxes on
that valuation, or even on the half of it?
Again. the taxation of mines on their
prospective value, would, in short time,
freeze out all poor men from even pros
pecting for them. The uncertainty of
value, the risk attending all mining ven
ture, the wealth they add to the country
when developed and made to pay, the
thousand and one species Of other pro-
perty they build up adding revenue, all
demands that this industry, Upon which
We all depend should not be cramped.
Were it not for the mines found in Mon
tana, it would still have remained the
home of savage and wild beasts. Were
it not for them to-day we imagine but
few of us would remain in Montana any
longer than We were able to get out Of it
The value of all other classes Of property
are apparent and susceptible of estima-
ton, and are permanent in their charac-
ter. On the contrary mines are soon ex-
hausted of their wealth and become
worthless, and the improvements there
on (which are taxed which have acquir-
ed an immense outlay, are practically
valueless. We have an instance near at
home. A few years ago the Territory
rang with the exceeding richness of the
Penobscot, its value was estimated up
into the millions, and now it is compar-
atively worthless. The industry Of min
ing is hazardous, whatever it brings to
light in the way of wealth, adds SO much
to the standard currency and wealth of
the country. 1t gives employment to
thousands of laborers upon whom we de-
pend for market. That it must be en-
couraged. How much capital do you
suppose would come from the east to
open and develop our mines if upon the
threshold of investment and before even
a dollar had been realized, and great
chance Of any ever being realized, if it
was met by the assessor and be forced
to pay tribute upon its investment?
Do you not realize that you would stop
it's flow? Do you not realize that it
would drive out capital instead Of attrac-
ting it? Again, is not the money paid
for a mine taxed in the hands of the for.
tunate seller, but conclusions are jumped
at and we hear it stated that mines are
not taxed, that they bring no revenue.
How is it that Silver Bow county, pure
ly mining county, and with no other
resources, pays more taxes, and is the
wealthiest county in the Territory ? We
know the subject of taxation is delicate
and sensitive one, and we are very apt
to rebel when we think we have been
forced to pay taxes and our neighbor,
who is just as well off, has escaped. We
admit that there are defects in this Con-
stitution, as there would be in any,
framed, and must confess that perhaps
too much legislation has crept into it
SO would it be in any other, but VIC still
think it is as good as we will eyer get.
in many senses better, and that minor
objections should be waived and the
Constitution adopted. 1t is not unalter-
able, and we want to see Montana adj
mitted as State.