The advocate and Topeka tribune., 1893-05-10
TIE PRESSING QUESTION.

VoCATE OF April ~ Is some interesting
matter concerning single takers and the
single tax movement. She makes objec.
tions to the position taken by Henry
George and other single tax leaders, that
the democratic party can be moved for
ward into the single tax movement. A
Populist myself, like most single takers
in Kansas, it is no part of mine to de-
fend these men for being democrats. In
fact, they are so well able to take care of
themselves in any controversy that the
act would be supsrhuous on my part did
80 desire. But there are other matters
in this letter of Mrs. Diggs which will
attract attention from the careful reader.
There is the statement of her belief in.
the doctrine, and the further statement
that there are other phases Of reform
quite as essential and more pressing than
even the single tax. To this last propo-
sition, single takers who are engaged in
the propagation Of the doctrine will dis
sent. We believe that the monopoly Of
land is the parent Of all other monopo-
lies, and that the collection of all public
revenue from one source-the taxation of
land values-would destroy the profit Of
merely owning land. In other words, we
believe that those in possession Of the
natural opportunities to acquire wealth
should return to the community the full
value OF this special privilege. Believing
this, the reform that to us seems most
pressing is the reform that goes our way.
That is why single takers favor revenue
tariff as better than a-protectiYe tariff.
1t is a step in the right direction toward
the abolition OF all tariffs. So we also
support the movement for&n income tax,
not that we think it the best tax, but be-
cause we think it will lead the way to
the best tax.
Single takers as such are not un-
friendly to the cause of womRn's suffrage,
but they believe that the giving Of the
ballot to women would not relieve
women of the present necessity OF COM
peting with men for chance to earn a
living. They believe that the enfran.
Chisement Of women will come through
the relief of poverty by the bettering Of
the conditions which cause it. In re-
gard 10 the liquor traffic, single takers
do not believe in the raising Of public
revenues from the manufacture and sale
of intoxicating liquors. Not in favor Of
the giving of special privileges to any
men, they certainly do not favor the CIV
ing Of such privileges to liquor dealers.
Recognizing fully the evils growing out
Of drunkenness, they believe, not that
drunkenness is the great cause Of pow
erty, but that poverty is the great cause
Of drunkenness. AS to their position on
transportation, quote from the single
tax platform, adopted by the national
conference Of the Single Tax League Of
the United States, at Cooper Union, New
York, September 8, 1890: ,"With respect
to monopolies other than the monopoly
Of land, we hold that where free competi-
tion becomes impossible, as in telegrsphs,
railroads, water and gas supplies, etc,
such business becomes proper social
function, which should be controlled and
managed by and for the whole people
concerned, through their proper govern
ment, local, state or national, as may be. D."
In thin lnnt dnnlnrnt;nn MA hnua nnrn-