St. Paul daily globe., 1888-07-18
FOR THE SINGLE TAX.
Fhe United Labor Party Holds
Its First State Conven-
tion,
And Spends the Day in
Fiercely Discussing the Old
Parties.
Not Considered Expedient to
Put a State Ticket in the
Field.
Most of the Members Declare
They Will Vote for Lower
Taxes.

The Minnesota advocates of the sim
gle tax on land values had convention
at Window hall, Minneapolis, yester-
day. 1t did nothing, as it ended in a
species of row, but everybody went
home satisfied Notwithstanding. The
convention developed one very pointed
fact: That of the single-taX and
anti-poverty men throughout the coun-
try, those who follow Henry George
nearly all are for radical tariff reduction,
and IS per cent will vote for Cleveland
and Thurman. Those who are fighting
for principle, and believe in making
some progress at least. will all vote
for Cleveland, and most of the small
remainder are those who cherish some
Utopian views or have political aspira-
tions of their own. The attendance yes
terday was discouraging, as not above
fifty of the faithful put in an appear
ance. G. j. Buck read the call,
arily organized by making T. III.
Lucas chairman, and G. A. S. Higley
secretary. The most interest and the
SItdIeSU ulSCuSSlUIl ccHlGIcu III lIiC HIdl-
ter of credentials. One faction, headed
by Buell., wanted to admit anybody who
believed in the single-taX theory, while
the other, captained by Lucas and Off
cered by j. a. Malone. of Minneapolis,
Emile Constant, of ST. Paul, wanted
nobody who owed any allegiance or
claimed any affiliation with what Con-
stant called 1.-The corrupt and rotten
Democratic or Republican parties"
Most of this trouble arose over the name
of Il. j. Lawler. who was sent as dele
gate from the Eleventh ward of Mime
apoliS, and it drew out some excited
talk. Delegate Howe gave his expert
ence and called out applause by saying
he had been born Democrat,
then had stood out as a Repub-
lican as long as possible, and was
now going to vote for Cleveland and
tariff reform. w. S. Hamilton, of the
Ninth ward, was very fiery over this,
and denounced it bitterly, while Con-
Stant said he represented labor and IN
dependence, and would leave if any
thing else came up. Lane constantly
referred to Lawler as vice president of
the Algonquin club. and finally Lawler
determined 10 accept the seat and the
dispute ended.
SELECTING A CHAIRMAN.
The question of credentials being hap
PLY settled, Mr.. Finnegan, who had
kept tab or the old convention, moved
the appointment Of a committee of five
on permanent organization. Hector
Mclean, to facilitate business. moved
to elect John c. Buell., permanent chair
man. Finnegan sprung an effete par
Ilamentary rule upon him, and in the
hubbub Buell. moved to make the tenn
porary organization permanent, but
Lucas would not hear of it. He had
never been a president, and would not
begin now. Then Buell. declined, and
- D. 4. McGaughev was elected by accla-
nation. McGaughey was sitting in
brOws in wonder. "What does this
mean?" he asked. 81 am not even
delegate here, and don't know the scope
and intention of your conventions"
Yes y0u are delegate" said voice.
well, | wasn't consulted" replied Nc
Gaughey, land I'd like to know what
this all MEANS" The chair thought
little extra courtesy was demanded, and
sent committee to escort him to the
chair, but McGaughey did not escort.
II want to be perfectly frank and clear
with you,' he said, ''for appreciate the
honor, but [ will not commit myself
to anything" YOU'RE all right" said
DR.. Finnegan. "You believe that land
values belong to the community.''
"Yes. L do, but want to say l belong
to no party, and never did, and
Will never owe any allegiance
to party, not even yours. If accept
ed this office l would endeavor to fairly
protect your interests, but your results
might not satisfy me, and then | would
not stand by them." Jacks sturdy in
dependence stood by him and he refused
the office, which the chair regretted,
and declared G. j. Buell. elected. Buell.
made speech on the single tax and
taxes in general, and wound up by say
ing this: "One of the two great parties
has declared Itself in favor of reducing
some of the taxes, and the other has de-
clared itself in favor of retaining them
all. want to say here that my vote, in
November, will be cast for the electors
of Grover Cleveland. l say this, and if
you want some one else to preside over
your deliberations, elect him. LAD
plause.
GOT INTO POLITICAL WATER.
T. A. Malone hoped up in a hurry
and said this was not a national Demo-
cratic convention.
w. S. Hamilton, his face red with ex-
element, climbed up and made. fiery
speech, saying if this convention was to
discuss national candidates, he would
lead the Ninth ward delegates from the
convention.
L. II. Lucas moved to exclude all
reference to old party candidates, and
on this motion spoke for twenty min
utes, in which he characteriStically de-
nounced both parties and both plat
forms. AS there were enough sympath-
lZerS present to encourage him, he grew
very excited and pitched into President
Cleveland and Gen. Harrison in way
that would have curled their hair back
ward, had they heard it.
DR.. Finnegan said men were very
prone to quarrel over non-essentalS.
and this they were doing now. Here
was simply principle and the question
was the Endorsement of it, not of candi-
dates. 1t was no business of the con-
vention who should receive their votes
for the presidency.
Jonas Howe wanted to throw oil on
the troubled waters, which meant to de-
nounce both old parties and vote for
Cleveland, because he was on the right
road and was the lesser of two evils.
Delegate Roberts, the one cOlored
brother present, believed in single tax,
but disagreed with Henry George, lean
ing toward the DR.. McGlynn theory.
This had nothing to do with the Ques-
tion before the house, but he was per-
mitted to air his views in eXtenso.
Finally he was called down, and future
orators were limited to two minutes. Il.