New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-10-31
SINGLE TAX MEN AGAINST FLOWER.
THEY WANT BALLOT REFORM AND KNOW ONLY
RTPI RIICANS FAVOR II.

THEY WANT BALLOT REFORM AND KNOW ONLY
REPUBLICANS FAVOR IT.
Emphasis has been given to the disposition Of tax
reforners ard ballot refOrmeIs to oppose Flower by
letter that was handed out for publication yesterday
BY General T. c. Christensen and Thomas q. Sherman,
Of Brooklyn. some weeks ago they addressed letters
10 both candidates for Governor, calling for an e1-
preston Of opinion respecting local option taxation
bill and the blanket BILL Mr.. Fas.ett made reply
which has been published. explaining frankly his IN
ability in the heat OF campaign fairly to commit him
self on delicate and phase Of The tax question,
but uneQuivocally pledging himself TO the blanket
ballot Mr.. Flower took more time to consider the
question and then On October % made this reply
have your favor Of the 18th inst. and have de-
laycd answering the hoping time would permit
question relating taxation referred
therein sufficiently to enable ne to answer you as
definitely upon the subject 1 could desire. But
think you viii appreciate that In the position In which
placed it has been impossible for me to give
the subject patient Investigation which It's import
ance requires
While the proposed by you soems In harmony
with the ancient Democratic principle Of nome rule, it
would be- in opinion, inexpeden for candidate for
Office Of Governor TO preudge measure Of its chap
Of responsible and definite legislative de-
bate.
Concerning my views upoa the subject OF official
blanket ballot l can but reply did the Peoples
Municipal League when addressed by It upon the sane
subject the Of that reply assume VOC
are already sufficiently apprised.
ROSWELL Z. FLOWER.
Louis F. Post the Editor Of The Standard the
singetax organ declared that Flowers reply would
undoubtedly lose him the OF the great majority
Of tax TefOrmers who National issues were supposed
10 vote with the Democratic party
"The issue in ew-York is OF great Importance TO
u.s." said Mr.. Post upon It's decision hinges for three
years 10 our demand for the blanket ballot, for
which slngletax men have worked early and late, on
the stump. in their clubs at the Albany Capitol and
hair moi ghf eve =
made the demand in his celebrated mayoralty cam
paign. and the United Labor party Endorsed 1t In lis
platform adopted at Syracuse In 1887
"NOw what docs Mr. Flower say in his letter 10 the
Peoples Municipal League, to which he refers. OF the
banketballot reforn-an Issue that has been before
the Legislature al three successive sessions and before
the people for five years that has been reduced 70
detail In bill three times passed by the Legislature
and three times vetoed by Mr. Flowers political spon
sOrs-he says he ought not 10 bind himself in advance
10 the precise form Of proposed law. No one asked
him 10 DO that: and had he added that properly
framed law calculated TO give effect 10 the blanket
ballot reform. would receive his approval his answer
would have met the case But from doing this he
carefully refrained lie writes vaguely, however in
favor Of extension Of the system Of secret voting
What he means by this appears when he speaks Of his
party committed by the declaration Of Its late con-
venton at Saratoga TO the extension Of the system OF
secret voting And the platform Of his party de
nounces the reform seek attempt 10 curtail
manhood suffrage. II must be obvious to single tax
men that If they really want tie blanket ballot ia New
Yor. their only safe course Is TO vote for Fassett and
against Flower