The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1890-07-12
SINGLE TAX IN TENNESSEE.

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SINGLE TAX IN TENNESSEE.
kie Tax-star Center Alliance Adopts It.
r. g. Brown, Memphis trades
council, an organization composed Of
Representatives of all the trades unions
in Memphis, has come as near the sim
gle tax as it couln without hitting It.
The council held meeting in the
criminal court room on the evening Of
Washington's birthday for the pur-
pose Of considering the eight-hour
movement Mr.. Bolton Smith and my
self had been invited to present the re-
lations between the single tax and the
eight-hour movement. We met with
some opposition from some advocates
o, eight hours pnre and simple, but
found, to nur surprise, an able and
earnest single tax advocate in the per-
son Of Mr.. 8. w. Harmon. who repre-
sented the Cigarmakers' Union in the
council. Mr.. Harmon gave some facts
in his experience in his trade which
showed that not even under the eight
hours could the worlxingmen secure the
relief they so much desired. At the
conclusion of his speech he offered the
subjoined resolutions and urged tho
meeting to adopt them a. the expression
of the sentiments of the trades council.
stating that they had been unanimously
adopted by his own union at . recent
meeting. The following are the reso.
lutions:
Whereas, As workingmen and me.
chanics, we feel that the distribution of
the products of labor IL such that 1t
gives to US an inadequate and unjust
proportion OF what we produce; and
Whereas, We see that capital engaged
In active production, and that the en-
ployers themselves, who risk their
money, are frequently losers, we are led
to look for other causes for the inade-
quate and unjust distribution of the
products Of our labor, Of which we COM
plain; and
Whereas. We believe we find such
causes in an unjust system of taxation,
held for purposes Of speculation which
interferes with production Of wealth;
and
Whereas, The value OF property be-
longs rightfully only to those who create
it; and
Whereas, 1t is injurious to the inter-
est Of the whole people that land should |
be held for speculation; now, therefore,
be it
Resolved, That al unoccupied land
shall be taxed at the price for which it
is held for sale; that 1t shall be the |
duty Of owners Of such lands to FIX their
selling price to the authorised officers,
and that the first conner who offers the
amount 30 fixed shall be entitled to
such property.
Resolved, That as all increased value
given to tnimproved land comes by vir-
tue OF settlement, and improvement in
the neigh borhood by the community 1t
large, All such increased volue in JUS
tice belongs to the community, and we
demand OF our Representatives in the
legislature that they pass laws which
will secure this value to the community.
Resolved, That we recognize in its
entirety the principle that all men have
IN equal natural right to the benefits of
VI natural opportunities; be it further
Resolved, That for the surer and
luteter obtaining the above amendatory
eA islation 1t is the sense of this council
hat more perfect connection should be
with similar organizations
n this State with the object of concen-
rating our efforts and energies to at
ain these ends.
About ninety per cent of the Knights
{ Labor here are free traders and sim
lie takers, result due mainly to the
forts OF Mr.. Bolton Smith, who IL Q
member Of the local assembly.
We were officially notified last Thurs
ay that our doctrine had been indorsed
y the Star Center Alliance Of C~rroll
ounty, Miss, in these words:
Resolved, That this lodge Is in favor
the single tax, that we may more
ully understand the work of the single ,
AZ association, the secretary il In .
tructed to write to Mr.. Bolton Smith
nd ask that he furnish us with tracts.
The constant demand for tracts and
ample copies of the STANDARD which we
eceive every day Is rapidly exhaustinr
ur stock. We have heard from . num- '
or of the Legislators Of Mississippi. Al 1
bama and Arksnsas indorsing the sim !
le tax, and have letters from ten or
velve leading men In the Farmers and :
ab0rers' Union to the same effect. The
[emphis Single Tax Association Il 4
aking itself felt in this section. and b
its numbers and means Is n
ping tremendous work.-New York 4
TRAVIS THAT SHOW THE WIND. ! !
nB action cf the General Assemblv