The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1877-10-13
USURY AND TAXATION THE TWIN
CURSES OF CIVILIZATION.

SAID IN my last that the people we're
crushed with taxation for the crosses
frauds. For instance. there is a tier ID
counties in Iowa that have been paying
taxes for nearly twenty years on bonds
issued to build railroads that were never
even commenced. 1t will be asked. " Why
does the County Commissioners pay taNes
for any such purpose Z" would answer
that they did resist Til Ge,,.roi GraHt
threatened 10 collect by force what Ia
claim that those trying To- enforce it should
have been sent 70 the penltcntiaTy for
daring to claim. But recollect that this
takes every homestead ia the land, not for
its value, or one-third Of ITS value, but a
homes cad worth 50 900 might be sold
for so, or a less sum. ! will here relate
an incident that came under my own OBJ
servatlon. A poor mechanic that owned
nothing but homestead had a special tax
Of 500 levied against him tall his other
taxes we're paid "a aid IN building a rail
road. To help illustrate its swindhng
character. | will here state that the grand
Jury found an indictment against the com
pany for fraud. The man joined III aeon
test u have the case tried on Its merits.
some time since he died. ami soon after
his wife followed hiu,to the grave, ieavAg
3 lot Of helpless orphans. The admins
trator, IN settling up the estate, had to
pay SLAP 60. costs, penalties aHd interest.
On what 4 legitimate tax No-a
the grand jury Of the county. Here IS the
spectacle presented Of lot of poor or
phan children being robbed Of 1922 90 for
a swiudie, because it was called a tax. But
is there a remedy, and how are We to OBJ
tam II say yes. We hold the remedy
IN our own hands, II We only have the
manhood to use IT, That remedy is the
ballot The woTkIngmen Of America are
masters Of the situation tut they are
under a thraldom that IS worse than Esyp-
tan bondage that is the tyranny OF
party. They dare not 20 back on their
party. The party caucuses mark ont their
course. aud they have not the manhood
to DEFY them. Nor demand fair repre- senta-
tIon IN the couusels of arePab''coH "ot'on.
If there are organizations Iu existence,
they are an pursuing different tracks. and
war against the good of the a. hole mass.
The Patrons are on one track, the Sever
eigIs oi Industry via another, the Broth
erh1ud GA another, and 50 uIt-all Ike
strong powerful teams, whose united force
would be irresistible, but pullug dill, rent
ways, their force Is expended in side issues,
and the money power, With ~ satellites
the laNysrs, a subsidized press. and a
vyual church, sends It's orators, like
Henry Ward Beecher, u enlightel The
people on hard times, as if they d'd not
know enough on that subject already.
The wurkingmen 81 America must d'PtIut
W, h.ptS. ices, ignore politicians, and unite
IN one common effort to secure a common
good, as men unite 70 stop couflagratIon.
The most potent weapon they possess is
an independent press. 1t is more power
ful to-day than an army with banners !;
consequently - should 'rvyvi.v tirv vvrufaI
and hearty support Of every tlller OF the
soil ana working man Of the ration. Re
member that IN supporting the little local
sheets run in the interest Of the money
power, YOU are giving aid 10 your worst
enemies, and introducing a ptrnIclous and
false source uf education to your children.
If they persist ia supporting the capital
ISIS, TX the capitalists support them. You
can soon force them INTO submission i
you only let them alone. Every day fresh
acccssluns 70 the Independent press Is
made As soon as the people wake up to
the gravity Of the situation land circum-
stances will soon force them to a concu-
SION, there Will be a general uprising, and
the curses Of usury and oppressive taxa
ton will fade like the exhalations of foul
marsh before the triumphant rays Of pure
repubicanism, supported BY an ample
supply Of cheap national money.
With a sincere hope that the good time
is not far distant, beg leave to subscribe
myself ever yours for protection and re
form. SAMCEL SINNETT.