The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1894-03-02

Address on Henri Georges Theory
Many Popuaise Notions Indorsed.


Many Popuaise Notions Endorsed.
The address to the citizen. of Seattle
adopted at the mass meeting held n Gen.
tral Labor Union hall on Wednesday
evening. under the auspices OF the Seattle
Single Tax League. sets forth that as .
party they do not intend to appeal to the
preiudces and hatreds Of the people for
votes, but rather to their sense of justice
and love for humanity. as found in the
principles which they proclaim. Isdwelis
upon the magnitude of the social revolu-
ton in progress throughout the civilized
world, which is changing political beliefs
and conceptions concerning the relations Of
man to the material universe. 1t alleges
that there is nothing to be found in any Of
the political platforms adopted by the
Democratic. Republican or fopuiist par
ties which would rend the shackles that
now fetter industry. 1t asserts that, IL
any Of the parties above named were sue
cessful. it would be powerless TO inaugur-
ate q system OF reform that would DO of
material benefit to the people until such
time as the city reclaims the powers which
the legislature has appropriated and dele
gated to q centralized county government.
II asserts that the industrial portion of
the city is at the mercy of . set of political
pirates, who fa:ten at the public ''crib"
without rendering an equivalent to society.
The voters are told that nothing can be
done for their social betterment so long as
they retain the system which legalizes the
plunder;ng methods OF those who take
away from the people every dollar above
what is necessary to buy food, clothes.
shelter and few months schooling for
their children. In conclusion an appeal
was made to mSrchants by pointing out
how profits may be increased and employ
ment given labor by relieving industry
from taxation and collecting q single tax
on land values.
The platform Of the Single Tax party is
as follows:
1--WE assert as our Fundamental, principle
the self.evident truth cnunciated in the
Declaration of independence. tn at all men
are created equal anu are endowed BY their
Creator with certain inalieneble rights.
1--WE hold that all men are equally en-
titled 20 the use and enjoyment OF what
God has created and OF what is gained by
the general growth and improvement OF
the community Of which they are part.
Therefore, no one should be permitted TO
hold natural opportunities without iair
return TO all for any special privilege thus
accorded to him. and that value which the
growth and improvement OF the commu-
nifty attach to land should be taken Tor the
use OF the community.
I'VE hold that each mar 10 entitled to
ell that his labor produces; therefore no
tax should be levied on the products OF
labor.
ITO carry ont these primo Piles, We are:
IL. In favor of the exemption OF i'm
proyements, including man ufactures, etc,
and personal property from taxation IN
national, state. county AMI municipal al
fairs. to the end that industry may be re-
lieved FROM the burdens OF taxation which
properly should rest upon the speculative
value in land thereby opening up the nat
ural opportunities to the employment OF
labor and the investment OF capital. This
would cali upon men to contribute to the
public revenues, not in proportion to what
they produce consume or accumulate, put
in proportion to the value Of the natural
opportunities they hold. itwould compel
them to pay just as much TOR holding land
Idle rs for putting 1t to its most productive
use.
az We assert that revenue SO raised
rightfully belongs to the whole people,
and we therefore pledge wise and judi
ciai expenditure of the same for the benefit
OF the whole people.
'3. We favor more simplified city gov
eminent. and assert that the city affairs
should be conducted on the same princi-
pies that govern private individuals.
Ii. We assert that citizens are equally
entitled To employment By the city and
that no partisan, religious or sectional test
should he allowed.
IS We favor municipal ownership of
water, electric light and transportation,
and the operation Of the same at cost.
thereby preventing the taxing of the con-
sumner and patron for the benefit Of the
aud speculator.
&c. We are unaiterably opposed to the
ranting of irrevocabie railway franchises.
-. We favor q free employment bureau,
,nder the control of the city.
IS. We favor the city treasurer comply
ng with the law by keeping the city funds
the city treasury.
20. We favor the payment Of city la
orers weekly in cash, and that all city
,ork be done by day labor.
10 We favor the initiative and refcren-
.um.
al We favor the issuaace of all licenses
free Of cost.
~ We are opposed to the issuance of
Junds in any form.
"i3 We are in favor of the principle that
no elective officer shall - eligible to fill
any appointiye office during the term for
which ne has been elected and qualified.
III. We favor the quarterly payment OF
taxes
'l5 We favor the abol ton of the pres
ent city charter.
DEMANDS OK THE LEGISLATURE.
"Resoired, That We urge the state legis-
iature to grant municipalities the power TO
remove ali taxes from the products OF in
dustry; and. be it iurtheE
''Resoited, That We fayor the gradual re.
duction OF taxation on ail the products of
labor. With view to its eventual total
abolition, together with . simultaneous
rise ia the taxation rate on land values,
with the object of eventually taxing ali
aud AZ us full rental value, so that land
may become cheaper and rents lower;
with the possibility of all persons owning
their own homes becoming reality in
stead Of being, as now, u de gsion."
J~mina and Yankee HIM.
Aunt Jeinimas pancakes served hot