Telegram-herald., 1891-06-02
TaE SINGLE TAX.
The Unity ciab wrsstl~s WlIh me Pea-
der0Gs sabIset.

The unity club held is last
meeting OF the season last
evening N the McMallen block.
A constitution snd sci of bylaws were
adopted and the club VAS permanently
organlzed. A committee, consisting OF
Rev. Mia +. Upper, Mrs. Udell and
Alexander Fyfe was appointed TO pre-
pare = program for tne frst meeting 10
be called next fal.. LlDgle tax MAS the
question discussed lay the club last
night
W. NJ. Hathaway was the first 10 ex-
press al opinion on the subject. lie
argued that single tax was tax Oh I'M
improved land values. Ii eoatem-
plates the abolition OF all taxes, except
iag land tax. The single tax, unlinl-
tied, Will put tax on unlmprosed
land. 1t Is considered system
10 raise taxes for governmental
purposes Single tax consists or
more than a fiscal system. Ii has
political significance. affecting the vel
fare OF every American citlzen. it IN
Guides the equal rights 10 the use OF
| the earth. Ii makes very little differ
ence whether Ne enslave man 10y
slave work or by tax oppression. Under
the modern condition OF society man
Is bound down by taxation. BY the
adoption OF the single tax, there would
be no excuse for any man or woman To
be IN poverty. Ii would do more for
the abolition of intemperance than all
the legislation that could be made. 1t
would DO more toward reforming peo-
pie from sin, than all the preaching
that can be advanced. There are acres
of rich land, from which people are shut
/ out. Why? Ii Is held for speculation. IL
does nobodoy any good. What cause s
the advance Ill yalucy Put the single
lax ON Inese vacant lots and there Will
be more homes owned 10y the labOrlng
classes. Ii man builds a house on
! his vacant property, the tax assessor
comes along and increases his taxes or
ne fines HIM for making Improvements.
| The man who owns vacant property is
not so burdened. Building should be
| encouraged by tax exemption. The
rapid accumulation of property within
| the last few years shows that before
| long land property viii be IN the hands
| of few.
Edward BuIfoot said: "There is one
ohdPthubOho o'J'NeAOAi w viz
| tax system. Ii this country would 60
into the single tax system our markets
would be thrown open to the trade OF
| foreign countries. 1t seems that we are
not ready for such state of commerce.
We should not open our ports to coun.
tries that discriminate against u.s."
Richard Fyfe argued The Almighty
made the earth for the people. The
settlement of land calls for a govern.
ment and the government calls for
money. This tax should be raised from
the land. built 4 house and was fined
50 for being industrious.
Alexander Fyfe said: The single
tax is the only just tax. AS our city
becomes settled, governmental expenses
| increase and the land that has been
enhanced in value should pay the IN
creased taxation. Land should be held
as a common heritage to the people.
Instead of allowing SPECTATORS to reap
the benefit Of increased values, the
State should have the benefit.
| ID. Z. Clay said the single tax system
was wrong, and the man that bares his
bosom and takes his family into the
forests should be exempted from pay
| ing taxes. The man who sits IN his
office and speculates on his mortgages
should pay the government expenses.