The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1890-11-05

anu injustice Glab every WAeKe aoouho'
had some sort of quack remedy which
would prove about as etficacious for the
social system as the usual quack nos
trums do in curing tho ills of the human
body. Needless to say, | entertain a
different opinion now" said the lady
with smile. Growing more earnest,
she continued: 81 now firmly believe
that the single tax will bring about a
reign of justice so perfect that it's full
realization means the total abolition OF
the selfish scramble which we now SOC
on all sides-the weak crushed by tho
strong and tho baser instincts running
riot because of the ever lessening OPP
portunities for cultivation and advance
ment which are open to the workers.
Who SO blind that can not SEQ the rapid
men in the industrial ranks, aided in
great measure by labor-saving machines,
which enable them to perform the work
formerly requiring mans strength?
Do the women who boast Of this ever re-
fleet on what becomes of the mon who
are thus displaced? Why, they are
driven by their necessities to seek work
at any price. This unnatural COMPETE
ton ever tends to force wages down. I
believe that the single tax will remedy
this; and / further believe that, if the
remedy be not soon applied, we. the
grading conditions in which the masses
now find themselves throughout the old
countries In this so-called free land We
may flatter ourselves that no such re-
suit can overtake us. but tell you that
the same factors are at work here and
the same results are inevitable unless
we rise up and take this land monopolist
by the throat and force him to let go his
grip upon the natural bounties which
are the inalienable inheritance of every
living human being. This is my excuse,
my justification, for having allied my
self to what some are pleased to call q
political movement 90
Mrs. Emily A. Deverall, secretary of
the Eastern District Club, said: II came
from small town where the pressure
of the landlord was not felt to any great
extent, at that time each family occupy
ing house. When l tried to make
homo in fiat of four rooms, my heart
sank at the prospect, and yet the neigh
borhood was good, the rooms nice. Well,
1 made the best of it, but could not
help feeling that it was very poor sub
stitute for home. When, however, l
went into the lower portions of the city
and saw the tenement houses, I was
thankful (not content) that my lot was
no worse; but when saw that there was
an abundance Of vacant lots in different
parts of the city naturally wondered
why they did not build moro houses and
thus relieve the congested districts.
had never been encouraged to think
upon matters of taxation and know but
little about them. Well, could only feel
sorry for the people crammed into those
terrible tenement houses, but could
see no way out of it, Then along in
1887 / began to hear something about
taxing land values, and that if this sys-
tenn of taxation were adopted there
would be no profit in holding unim-
proved land. My eyes slowly began to
open. After little thinking / saw the
connection. The holding of unimproved
land is profitable business; make it by
taxation Improbable, and the holder
will improve it. The moral side of the
question at once appealed to my sense
of Justice, and l am trying hard to in
form myself on all that pertains to the
single tax and free trade. beg of my
sisters who may see this to arouse them
selves and look into the matter. For
the sake of our children weshould stand
by our husbands in this struggle for
right, and if they are not Of that mind,
stand alone"