New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-08-07
FARMERS DISCUSSING TAxAHoM
CONVENTION OF THE FARMERS UNION AT SYRIA.
CUsE-THE HENRY GEORGE THEORY

Syracuse. y. Y. Aug. Special. The first political
convention of the year in this State assembled in
rnnjre Hall In this city, at noon to-day. IL was
that ~ the state Farmers Union. the mission OF
which association Is TO reform and equalhc TAXATION
oholsb trusts and send 10 the Legislature men who
will protect the rights of farmers and wageearners
Krtcb,s NJ Labor were invited to Join the farmers
in the convention, and goodly number OF trade
unionists participated in its deliberations. Seth
rcnner NJ East Aurora president of the union. called
the convention 10 order. and In a vigorous speech
urged the taxation OF personal property ana called
both political parties to account for failure to fulfil
PROMISES relative TO tax REFORM
While the union invited the laboring men TO
meet with them they will allow the Henry George
sincIe tax, idea to interfere with their views in
the matter of tax reform. This became apparent
inst before the convention assembled, when \. p.
Potter, representing Henry Georges paper, Tho
Standard appeared before the Committee on ReSolu-
ons and offered a resolution to the effect that the
Legislature be asked to appoint committee to investi
rate the subject of taxation. and that the committee
be requested to consider the Henry George sinsleax
theory
mo sirn said Mr. spalding. Of tho Committee on
Resolutions We cannot consent TO the Offering of
that resolution. We don't want TO bring any Henry
Georce into our convention. His ideas arc foreign
TO tho desires OF this organization
Mr. Potter insisted that the labOring men had boon
Invited by the CALL which ncluucu anu NoTh
ingnen and that his resolution in the line OF the
work attempted to be accomplished by this convcntIO-
Mr. spaldng could It that way, and refused TO
accept the resolution
The hand Of Governor Hi was recognized I'm the
presentation OF long letter 10 a member Of the
convention from Controller Wemplc in which that
official sought to demonstrate the reforms in taxation
which Governor Hin had from timc 10 time proposed.
Tho resolutions adopted tonight declare that all
personal and real property in the state should pay
Just and fair proportion Of taxes, and podgo the mem
bers of the union support those candidates for the
Legislature who will vote for any bill which viii
relieve real estate from its present unjust
burden OF taxation. Trusts, foreign syndicaies and
the alleged elevator rings I'm New York, Buffalo aud
Brooklyn are don0unce ed. After the adoption OF the
resolutions the farmers left the hall, and the labor
delegates proceeded to vcntilate their views in long
windcd speeches.
Tho union elected the following officers for the
coming year: President. seth Former. Of Erie; first
vice pie sldent. G.. VI. Dcgan OnOndaGa second Vice
president, t. Knapp Duchess; recording SECRETARY,
C. If. Wamburgh Steubcn; corresponding secretary, }.
X Mcclure. OnOndaga treasurer, j. +. Converse.
Jefferson Executive Committee. q. shepherd,
wyoming: Robert p. Ryan, Monroe, and NJ. g. spanld-
ing Rensselaer,. Legisativ Commlttec-M G. spauhl-
Ing Rensselaer,; Thomas Bowling, Albany, and y. j.
IIarwOOd, Niagara.