The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1892-11-05
SINGLE TAX DEPARTMENT.
Why I Became a Single Taxer.

Perhaps the numerous readers OF the
Standard may be interested in learning
when and why became Il single taxer.
Perhaps, also, the facts in the case may
afford some encouragement to persons
who have as yet only partially ''seen
the cat" but arc honestly seeking for
'the whole truth and nothing but the
truth" This thought, whether well
founded or otherwise, is my only apol-
ogy for putting before the public an ar
ticle so replete with personalities as
this must necessarily be.
Up to the autumn of 1889 knew lit
tie of Henry George and still less OF the
single tax theory. l had simply heard
Of Henry George as an aggressive re-
former, an advocate of social changes,
and the author of famous book called
Progress and Poverty" 1 had never
read any of his writings, nor had any
conception of what he believed and
taught.
At the time mentioned was a resi-
dent of Los Angeles, CAL, but was
spending few weeks in my old home,
Chicago, Ill. / was president of the IL
linois association, of Los Angeles, an
organization which made engagements
with few notable speakers for public
lectures
While in Chicago received letter
from Henry Harrison, the secretary OF
the Illinois association, who knew just
as little of Henry George as / knew.
Mr.. Harrison stated that as Mr.. George
was announced to visit the Pacific
coast, en- route for Australia, some time
during the coming winter, it might be
best for our organization to secure him,
if possible, for one or two lectures.
His suggestion was supported by Mr..
F. L. Grosvenor, treasurer OF our asso-
citation. Thinking favorably of it, 1
Immediately wrote to Mr.. George, re-
ceived prompt response, and in few
days we had him under contract to lee
ture two consecutive nights in Los An
geles, under our management, the dates
to be determined later on.
Soon after my return home said to
Harrison: "Well, Henry George is a
noted character, but really know very
little as to what he believes, breaches or
prctices Suppose we get a copy OF
Progress and Poverty and read it to-
gether before he comes here" This
was agreed to- We procured a copy OF
the book and read it little at time.
1t opened our eyes on the land and labor
questions, and made us the more de-
sirous of meeting and hearing the noted
agitatator and controversionalist On
the last evening of February, 1890,
Henry George appeared before a large
audience in Illinois hall to deliver his
first lecture in Los Angeles. Many of
the leading citizens were present, and
all were eager to see and hear the man
of whom they had heard SO much. As
president of the organization it was my
duty to introduce the lecturer, which l
did with but few words. Let me say
right here that / had already learned
enough of Henry George and the truths
he promulgated to make that occasion
one of the proudest in all my expert
ence.
Mr.. George spoke for an hour and a
half on THE Social Problem" He was
heartily applauded by many and care
fully listened to by all l have heard
nearly every noted public speaker in
the United States who has been on the
stage of action within the past thirty
years, but 1 can truthfully say that
from no one else did / ever learn so
much worth knowing as learned from
Henry George that night. His address
was at once profound and brilliant,
logical and witty, forcible and eloquent.
1t was mastery arraignment of our
present social system in all its hideous
deformity, followed by an expose of the
protection superstition and an explana-
ton of the single tax theory-so clear,
so plain, SO simple and straightforward
that no honest Investigator could fail to
be favorably impressed. The next
night George spoke for an hour directly
on the single tax, and then devoted an
hour to answering questions from the
audience. At the close of the meeting
he Immediately resumed his journey to
Australia. l have never met him since
that hour, but he left behind him in Los
Angeles abundant food for thought and
discussion, besides several new converts,
who will be staunch single takers and
free traders as long as they live-Heury
Harrison and myself being among the
number. Mr.. Harrison, being a very
intelligent man and an independent
thinker, readily grasped the truths pre-
sented, and being also a lover of justice,
with the courage of his convictions, he
did not hesitate to openly avow his be-
lief in the greatest of all reforms
+. L. Grosvenor is not yet an out
spoken single taxer, but he is on the
right road. He now reads and admires
Henry Georges writings, and being
man of noble impulse and an advocate
of justice, his complete acceptance of
Mr.. Georges views may be looked for in
the near future.
For years prior to reading and hear
ing Henry Georges arguments, l had
been fully conscious that our modern
social system was bad, and rapidly go
ing from bad to worse. had long been
identified with reform movements,