Eureka daily sentinel. [volume] (Eureka, Nev.) 1871-1887, 1884-07-02
OBJECTIONABLE PRINCIPLES.


an interview with General Clarke, on the
question of calling a Constitutional Con-
v~ention. The remainder Of the interview,
which discusses the deeper necessities oil
constitutional amendments. we, now, re-
produce from the same source-the Reno
Gazette. The suggestions made by Gen.
Clarke are important and worthy OF care
full consideration. For the present, we
offer no criticisms upon his views of the
matter:
Rep.-Aside from the question OF ex-
pense, have you any objections to the
principles which the present Constitution
establishes?
Clarke-Yes. very many; but they
cannot be properly discussed in an inter.
view like this. I will, however, mention
some of them in . general way. The
Constitution commits the most radical
and pernicious innovations upon the max
inns Of government. It destroys the
principles of equality Of taxation by ex-
empting tho most valuable part OF our
property and by imposing an oppressive
burden upon the proceeds Of labor en-
ployed in mining. 1t discourages popu-
lation and the building Of homes by ne.
cessitating high taxation, and making it
more profitable to reside elsewhere. 1t
disadvantages u citezens by enlarging
corporate privileges, and e%xempting cor
porators from liabilities which are cast
upon natural persons engaged in similar
pursuits. 1t discourages legitimate min
ing by heavily taxing the product OF
labor engaged in that industry. 1t has
created and developed a system OF laws
and business in the interest of California
and against the interest Of Nevada. 1t
has made possible q system Of stock man
ipulations by which a few bold and I'M
scrupulous men have absorbed and car.
ried off the wealth Of the Comstock, and
q system of mining which defrauds the
stockholders in the interest Of a milling
ring. Let me explain how some of these
results are brought about. By exempt.
ing the mines, Lhe rate Of taxation is in
creased on the other property. To escape
high taxes the money which our mines
produce goes out of the State. 1t goes to
build Palace hotels and Nevada blocks
to enrich and beautify California at our
expense. Nor do our people, as a whole,
reap any be neft. The tax which
the mines would otherwise pay is
and we now pay from one source
if the mines were included, we
would pay from two. In fact, we are
because nonresident mine own
ers pay nothing, and the burden which
they should bear is laid upon us. But
the most pernicious departure from equal
ity. is in the provision which taxes the
proceeds Of mines. By this provision,
an oppressive burden is put upon our
ct industry. Whoever invests
money in a mining claim and lets it lie
idle, escapes taxation. Whoever works
q mine and produces bullion is m
ly taxed on the product of his labor.
Although the mine yield less than the
actual value of the labor expended, never
theless it is taxed, for it is not the net,
but the gross, yield which the Constitu.
tion contemplates. Thus men are en-
c~ouraged to acquire and hold our mines,
and discouraged to work them, and the
labor of the State is made to pay the
cost of maintaining the Government.
Nonresident mine owners are induced
to let their claims lie idle, to be made
valuable by the labor expended on ad.
~jacent ground.
Undeniably the provision respecting
corporations and e~xempting corporators
from individual liability is the most un-
just and hurtful Of all. 1t not only dis.
eliminates in favor of corporations and
against individuals, but makes it profita.
BILE for corporations to exist in Califor-
MIA and do business here. As a result,
the mining comp anies Of Nevada have
their principal Offices in California. Their
directors, agents, clerks and attorneys
reside in San Francisco; make their
homes, spend their incomes and invest
their fortunes there. Thus thousands of
men are given employment at our ex-
pense. and hundreds of thousands of
dollars are discussed in California that
should contribute to the prosperity of
our people. 1t is impossible to trace or
estimate the indirect injuries that follow.
1t has resulted I'M system of business
which both degrades and impoverishes
us, and which surrenders the State-bus.
mess and politics-into the control of
men who have no permanent interest i N
welfare; who live beyond the reach of
our laws and who Cypress and rob us at
will, and with IMMUNITY.
1t is neither unusual nor out Of order