Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1890-10-02

the state SnOuld nave the misfortune W
fall into the hands of the Democratic
party, it would certainly not be so ex-
travagant as to need tax levy more
than twice as great as that required to
maintain the government of the great
state of California"
Like all their other objections, the
enemies of New Mexico intend this
criticism for the ignorant or unwary
who do not take the trouble to read the
constitution and inform themselves as
to public affairs. A consideration of
some of the circulars which have been
sent out shows the Justice Of this con-
clusion For instance one Of them
contains the following:
The attention of cattle men is espe-
cially called to the fact that the conati-
tuition permits especial articles" to be
taxed without regard to value. Under
this provision cattle may be taxed at
any arbitrary sum per head, without
regard to value, while personal pro
perty is protected against greater rate
Of taxation than one per centum on the
assessed value
1t is understood that the literature
of the anti-statehood party all cmanates
It from three distinguished members Of
i the bar, all resident in Albuquerque.
The public would doubtless like to
. know to which Of these eminent gentle
Il men is to be attributed the discovery of
I, a distinction between "cattlc" and per
y sonal property" 1t is true that the
= latter cannot be taxed at a greater rate
than one per ccntrm, but as cattle,
1t sheep. horses, huros etc. are 'propcrty,"
~ in the language of the constitution,
- they cannot be taxed more than per
=" centum, just like any other property.
= TAX ON MINES.
An attempt is made to induce
d. miners to believe that the constitution
ar is unfair to them in its provisions as to
to mining claims, which is as follows;
90 mining claims before patent, shall
,te be taxed only upon the gross output, in
" manner to be prescribed by law"
1t is falsely asserted as to this, that
ter "there is no limit or restriction upon
ii the rate of taxation upon the struggling
ed miners output. i The owner
of general property is protected against
more than l per centum taxation. The
.,, miner has no protection"
''' The clause quoted from the constitu-
900 1890 ton was proposed in the convention by
, %@ miner. and was conceded to him as a
@g" favor to miners.
,--- 1t is a Limitation on the taxation
Lo power in favor Of the owners of I'M
= patented mining claims All property
'I'' is subject to taxation and without such
low clause as the above, every mining
ich claim would be subject to tax like any
.Ia, other property. The value Of all i'm
,,ro provements, both below and above
~ ground, would be taxable Under thC
proposed constitution tax can be
ho' levied only on the gross output. The
the owner of an unpatented aimmay value
it at 100000, and yet pay no tax il
,int he does not work it, He may have put
In. on it 100000 worth Of machinery and
~. improvements, yet escape TAXATION the
'' moment that he ceases, from whatever
que cause, to take out ore.
In most mining states provision il
ded made for the taxation of gross outpu
the and surface improvements. Our min
MI ers are exempted from all but possible
~ 49, tax on the output, and that tax woul'
'he fall under the general limitation Of no
ltee more ethan per cent on the value o
tate the taxable property" There is Ger
the tainly not much chance to hurt tn
mining interest under this clause
~ In conclusion, we beg of you, peop
'on Of New Mexico, to give no heed to tn
all lying misrepresentation of the enemie
izen of progress Read the constitution fc
of yourselves, and consider whether an
cor constitution ever framed could escap
49,. with less of criticism if it were subject
- "'' ed for more than year to the carefr
on examination of enemies. For the fac
ex- is not to be concealed or lost sight OF
II or that the men who are activein their op
avs position are the same who were un
on, friendly before the convention met; wh'
, refused to participate in the election o
lace delegates; who predicted that quorum
any of the convention would never assemble
v at who predicted that the quorum coulc
rom never be kept together for week; witt
emf attempted to cast ridicule on the pro
.n, ceedings of the convention while it
ouh sessions continued. who in short nre