Butte semi-weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1886-1890, 1886-10-30
THAT BOGUS SPEECH.

Gl6CU1Ou A(ONUCc6 WAaV PuA w " q
speech of Mr.. Toole, delivered a few years
ago in the Constitutional Convention, re-
lating to the taxation of mines. Such q
willful perversion of facts is unworthy a
pothouse politician. The facts are these:
Mr.. Toole took the position in that con
constitution was a proper subject of legis-
~lation, and for that cas- ought not to be
made a part of the fundamental law. In
other words, that if it was decided expedient
to exempt mines from taxation, the Legis-
lature and not the constitution should deal
with the subject. The convention which
adopted the proposed constitution for
Montana did Mr.. Toole the honor to ap-
point him chairman of the committee to
prepare an address to the electors OF Mon
Jana in relation to the adoption of that
instrument.
As Chairman OF that COMMITTEES, Mr..
Toole prepared an address which was
printed by authority and distributed
throughout the Territory. We extract the
following:
99'It is fair to say, that no provision OF
the Constitution received more copsidera-
ton han the one relating to the subject of
revenue and taxation, and especially that
portion providing for certain exemptions;
and, although considerable diversity of
opinion arose regarding it, yet it was appa-
rent from the beginning that a majority OF
the Convention favored the proposed plan.
1t was claimed by ON that, under this
provision, mines would be exempted from
taxation, or at least would not IN
tribute their just proportion to the revenue
of the State. By it the value of the sur
face improvements and other property,
and the net proceeds derived from operat-
ing the mine, are proper subjects OF taxa
ton, the mina itself b, ing alone exempt. 1t
was confidently asserted and plausibly
maintained that there is no method known
by which tho actual value of a mine be
ascertained; that no one can divine what
lies beyond the range of vision in the earth;
that experience has demonstrated that
those who pretend to be the hest qualified
to Judge the merits Of a mine are often the
most mistaken. It was urged that the
value OF most classes OF property depends
upon conditions and circumstances which
are apparent and susceptible of estima-
ton, and practically permanent in their
character; while a mine is generally 500
exhausted of it's wealth, and becom Is
worthless. and that the improvements
thereon, which in most cases have required
a large outlay OF capital, are also frequent
~ valueless. It was commended, with much
force of argument, that if it were attempted
for the purpose of assessment, to fix q
value on mines, many properties of doubt
full, and perhaps, worthless character,
would by reason of the mistake or inter.
ested motives OF the assessor be required
to pay tribute, while others of greater
value and less notoriety would virtually
escape taxation, whereby the system would
give rise to interminable conflicts. and re-
suit in injustice to both the mine owne and
State. The system embodied in this Consti-
tuition is similar to that OF Nevada and
Colorado, where it is claimed every mine
that is worked yields it's just proportion
OF the revenue to the county and State.
Finally it was maintained that the indus
try of mining, hazardous as it is, was
worthy of all reasonable encouragement;
that this liberal policy will attract to the
State millions OF capital; will furnish en-
ployment to a large part of it's population;
build up towns and cities, and contribute
immensely to it's wealth and prosperity.
As before suggested, the expediency and
policy of these exemptions are questioned
by some, but if found to be inequitable,
they may be obliterated by an amendment
to the constitution.
Upon the question of the adoption Of the
constitution there was but one vote against
it, namely, Mr.. Waterbury. In view of
these facts the bogus speech of the Inter
Mountains incubator will hardly deceive
anyone. No better friend OF the miners of
Montana or the mining industry can he
found in Montana than Delegate Toole.
We point with pride to his able and elo.
quent speech delivered in the House of
Representatives demanding free and IN
limited coinage of silver.
Toole demands free, and unlimited coin
age OF silver.
Sanders demands free and unlimited Chi
nese immigration.
The issue can't be lodged by publishing
bogus speeches.