San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1888-05-02
Henry George Men in Congress.
George D. Tillman,
SAID TO BE THE Most PRONOUNCED OF
THEM ALA "SINGLE-TAx" SPEECH
EXPECTED FROM HIM.

A well-informed and leading eastern
newspaper says there is quite a colony
of Henry George men in Washington
and several OF them are able, fearless.
and enterprising. They have an organ
ization, and in quiet way are pushing
their propaganda in quarters where it is
believed their efforts will do the most
good, and claim to have succeeded very
well 80 far. One of the leading spirits
talked very enthusiastically of their
achievements and hopes for the future.
"Why," he said, you would hardly
believe 1t, but L have found no less than
thirteen members of congress who are
practically Henry George men. Some
OF them do not acknowledge it; In fact
they would no doubt deny it if publicly
charged with holding to Georges theo-
ries; but in private life they readily
acknowledge that they think his con-
illusions on the land question are correct.
There is very strong George man in the
house, and we hope to get him to startle
the country with bold single-tax speech
before the close of the session."
This pronounced George man is said
to be Tillman Of South Carolina. The
single-tax prOpagandists are very anx-
ious to gain a strong foothold in Wash
ington, for they feel that whatever they
do there will count for much more In
the country at large than if done else
where.
Congressman Tillman's views are rad
ioal In other respects than on the land
question. He advances the proposition
that the future safety Of this country
lies In a larger and more direct repres-
entation of the people in the house and
senate, and thinks that we ought to
have at least six hundred representa-
tiVes and no less than three hundred
senators. In conversation on the sub
.ject he said: "Our national legislature
is not keeping pace with our growing
population. Our representation in CON
gress is little more than it was when our
population was but half its present di-
mansions. Given greater representa-
tion in the senate, increase its present
proportions four times, and the result
can but be helpful to the interests of the
people. l see, however, no way by
which this can be done, and for that
reason shall favor, whenever it ia prac-
ticable, the admission of all the new
states possible. In my judgment Dako-
ia ought to be divided into four equal
parts, and each admitte as a state"
The congressman distinguished for
these radical views, George d. Tilman,
Of South Carolina, is cotton planter re-
siding at Clark's Hill, and represents the
second district of his state, He WAS
born near Curryton, Edgetield county,
South Carolina, August 81, 1926. His
education is superior, including prepar-
alton for the university and study at
Harvard College. He did not stay to
graduate, but returned to the south
without completing the curriculum, and
read law. In lS4S he was admitted to the
bar. He opened an office at Edgetield
courthouse, and practiced there until
the war. Mr.. Tillman volunteered in a
South Carolina regiment In 1862. When
1t was dis6anded he entered the second
regiment of South Carolina artillery. in
which he continued to serve as a private
soldier until the close of the war.
Mr.. Tillman was elected to the state
house OF representatives Of South Caro-
lima in 1854 90, also in 1864. He was
member Of the state constitutional con-
veDtion held in 1865, under the recon-
struction proclamation OF President
johnson. In 1876 he was a member of
the democratic state executive commit
tee OF south Carolina. Mr.. Tillman I'M
successfully contested a seat in the
fOrty-fifth congress-, for which he had
been candidate. He was elected to
the fOrty-siXth congress- lost his seat in
the fOrty-seVenth, as the result of a con-
test, and since his election to the forty
eighth congress has continuously rep
resented his district in Washington.