The semi-weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1882-1886, 1885-03-11
TAXINGM MINES.

Mr.. Fergus has introduced . bill to
tar mines. We have not seen its
provisions but the probabilities are
the bill reflects the opinions upon
that question expressed by the gen
tleman when he was q member OF
the Constitutional convention. He
th.n held that the taxing of all min
ing improvements from the hosting
works to the CAD In the bresst OF the
longest level and the ax'nx of the
net proceeds Of the mine do not an
swer the requirements Of equity, but,
that the mine itself-that is all rock
In place should be taxed.
MI Fergus bears the reputation OF
being q reasonable ana just man
one who would not willingly impose
onerous or unjust burdens upon
any class of laborers or who would
lend his voice or vote to cripple any
industry in the Territory, hence, we
are inclined to the belief that Mr.
FERGUS does not fully comprehend
the subject on which he proposes TO
legislate.
Under the existing law everything
on, In, or upon a mine with the ex
ception of the unworked ore itself IL
taxed. The surface ground ia taxed:
the hosting works are taxed : the
mill, If there be one upon the mlne'
is taxed, and every kind and des-
cription of surface improvements
are taxed. Descending into the mine
the piping, the pumps. the buckets,
the picks, the drills, the sledges and
the eads are taxed. Nor are these
all that are taxed. The net
proceeds of the worked ore
are taxed. In fact every hing OF
known vslue about a mine Is listed
ty The ASSESSOR. This will 60 Oh
from year 10 year until the mine Is
exhausted add the property becomes
worthless. A moments tn ught
will convince anyone that when
that time shall arrive the
,ohole value If the mine hes been
taxed by taxing annually the net
proceeds Of the mine.
But says MI. Fergus and 1t is his
favorite argument-if a man puts
s25, goo in cattle or sheep and an"th'r
paxs $s5. 100 for q mine, why not tex
each alike? We answer that the
cases are in nowise similar, beyond
the fact that each has invested the
sum Of 81, 900. The first has put his
in something tangible-some-
thing that a he seen and that bears
a market value. His Investment in-
in value each year and be
can calculate to within a fraction the
income he will derive from it. But
the case is quite different with the
man who has invested his $23.OO0 10
the purchase of a mine. His Is an
investment in . thing unseen-some-
thing hoped for, supported alone by
his faith. It bears no fixed market
value, and he cannot safely calculate
upon q single cent of income from
his outlay. Neither is there any
method to arrive at its true value.
he has given $4,000 for
another, equally as shrewd,
as far . seeing. may
not be willing to give
SIS. Hence the real value OF
the investment is simply a question
To be determined in the future. 1t
the mine pays-that is, yields a re-
tur1 over Its expenses, that return is
taxed under our present lave. This
until the property Is ex-
hausted of its wealth VIXEN it is val
aeless to anyone. It does not grow
md increase. Every dollar taken
rom it impoverishes the property to
extent.
We hold, therefore, that every
nine in the Territory Is taxed for all
t is worth In the taxing of It, net
proceeds. And no other system of
.axation of mines can be justly en-
,orced. No assessor can 60 under
and fix a value upon a guam
ity df rock in sight between two
wallis of granite without sampling
md assaylpg it. And when he shall
nave done that he will know nothing
# the value of that out of sight. And
,et Mr.. Fergus bill exacts this duty
rom assessors. In view of the fact
hat the present legislative assembly
las dealt very literally and even gen
with the stock interest of the =
and by SO dealing have
'hown a disposition to foster and en-
courage it, we cannot see why the
interest should not receive as
avorable consideration at Its hands.
We hope Mr.. Fergus bill will BE-
permitted to remain where it will DO
he most good-in the hands OF the
committee to which, it is referred.
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BUTTE TOWNSHIP BILL.
Representative Forbis introduced
It'll - <ho IyDs,o0 - nn1orpo Tho |