Feliciana sentinel. [volume] (St. Francisville, La.) 1877-1892, 1891-10-24
SINGLE TAX DEPARTMENT
THE SINGLE TAX WEDGE IN BRIT.
ISH COLUMBIA,

sV6 SINSkE JA% WEDGE IN BRIT
iSH COLUMBIA.
VANCOUVER, b. c., August 81, 1s91.-
Che single tax cause in British Colum-
ola Is by no means at a stand still.
though seldom heard from; but on the
contrary, is becoming a strong factor
In shaping public opinion and influence
ing the provincial and municipal gov.
ernments.
Indeed, during the present year our
cause may be said to have gained some
decided and signal victories, both in
the legislature and in our varions mn.
inequalities.
"A year ago all the public lands at the
WSnosal .cfufAwn from isiIe, IN conse-
quence Of the strong pressure brought
to bear on the executive, resulting from
the agitation showing how the public
domain was being monopolized by mere
spectators, thus checking the settle.
ment and development of the country,
producing general stagnation and dull
times. The consequence was that at
the last session OF the provincial par
lament after a hard fight with the
''moss-backs," an amended land act was
passed with a clause changing the wild
land tax from eight cents per acre to
two per cent ad valoren. AS some of
this wild land has become very valua-
BILE, though unimproved, the difference
is no small one. The significant fact
about this is, that the tax is not on the
land as formerly, but on its value, and
the recognition of this principle in tax
alton is the first step towards total
reversion of the land policy in this
province and probably throughout the
Dominion.
An important amendment has also
been made to the pre-emption law. Be-
fore this all that was needed to get n
deed for a preemption of 100 acres was
to employ an ''agent" generally China
men) to burn off a few acres, and then
get two witnesses to swear in the ap-
plica:ion that $50 worth of improve
ruents had been done on the claim. The
patent was then issued on payment of
one dollar per acre. Now, in addition
to the improvements" q house must be
erected, and cultivation and residence
proved before u patent is granted. This
alteration has effectaully put a stop to
spectators pre-empting land, selling
it, and then repeating the performance.
An act was also passed authorizing
within their jurisdiction up to two and
a half per cent, and permitting the
taxing Of Improvements to be optional.
Here, again. is the thin edge of the
single tax wedge that before long will
split and break up speculation in town
lots the curse of every city and village
on this coast. AS a result of this enact
ment. the municipalities of Surrey and
Langley have already adopted the ex-
emption of Improvements from taxa
ton. and as these two districts are
chiefly agricultural the farmers are to
be congratulated for their clear sight
edness in taking the initiative in this
important movement, and for know
ing in which direction their best inter-
ests lie. 1t is only question of a very
little time when the taxing of improve
ments anywhere in British Columbia
will be very much reduced or abolished
altogether
So far as this city is concerned. the
influence of pronounced single takers,
and the growing body of those who
dim1y observe n glimmcr of the 'cat,
is producing a marked effect. A year
or two ago our best streets were cheer
fully given away for nothing to an cleo
trio street railway company. Just now
there is another railway company build
ing a track--at the expense of the prop
erty owners along the line-to connect
the cities of New Westminster and Van
couver. The company wished this city
to grant them terminal facilities" &"
This means three miles OF streets to be
opened and graded free, the company
deciding on the route which offered it
the largest bonus. The scheme of this
enterprising corporation to capture n
valuable franchise-as the possession
of these streets in few years would
undou btedly be-was promptly squelch-
ed by the city council An arrange
ment has now been concluded between
the city and the company whereby the
latter get their terminal facilities, but
tho city retains full control of the
streets, with power to tax the company
for their use, and the expense in open
ing and grading them. This agree
Inent will be submitted to and voted on
by the taxpayers next month. and no
doubt will ha carried with little opposi-
ton.
A bylaw for the city to purchase the
water works will be voted for at the
same time: and as the terms are adran-
taeeous to the city, there are small
fears of it. too, being passed
The present Electric Light and Street
Railway Co. has been approached
with view to the city buy
ing it out also: so the prob
abilities are that before long Vancouver
will own and operate its water works,
electric light and street railway. There
has been some hard and persistent
fighting in the council to accomplish
this much, and to our single tax friends
there. headed by Alderman Brown, the
credit and honors are directly due.
We have n powerful friend and ally
in our morning paper, the News-Adver-
tiser. 1t is on the peoples side in all
municipal matters, and admiSa single
tax com mnunications freely to its col
u,nns Its editor, Mr.. +. c. Cotton. is
our senior mel Der to the local legisla-