Evening star., 1895-04-25
SINGLE TAX ARGUMENT
Mr.. Henry E. Davis Discussed the Question
Earnestly.
Growth of Society and of Manhood
rest - Question Mt Issue.

The announcement that Mr.. Henry E.
Davis, a well-known member of the Dis
trict bar, would address the Single Tax
Club attracted a fair-sized audience at a
public meeting of the club, held at Build
ers' Exchange Hall. last evening. The sub
ject of Mr.. Davis address, "A Just and
Proper System of Taxation" was discussed
by him for more than an hour in forcible
manner.
Mr.. Davis was introduced to the meeting
by Mr.. Jackson H. Ralston, and in begin
ring his address, declared that it used to
be when one suggested something novel the
world inquired, Why should it be? But in
the course of time the world so changed
that today the inquiry is. Why should it
| not be? The world had advanced to that
extent at least, thought MIR. Davis, and to-
day the term heresy, once so frequently
rsed, is seen only in historical treatises.
About everything novel is right, argued
Mr.. Davis, and the American and French
revolutions were cited as examples OF the
proposition. And, he asserted, every doc
trine. however startling or novel, is entitled
| to hearing. The single tax doctrine, re-
marked Mr.. Davis, was declared to he
novel. and startling even, by some people,
but that doctrine would work justice, cure
the Ills of municipal bodies and free So
ciety.
Society Discussed.
Society was discussed at some length Mr..
Davis declaring that the boasted civliza-
ton OF the ancient nations, of Greece and
OF Rome, and Of even Judea, had passed
away, because their people built from the
top to the bottom. instead of from the bot
tom to the top. Today, he contended, the
foremost facts confronting society were
those Of unrest and of distrust Those
existed. hoo
proved morally and Intellectually, for he
has. said Mr.. Davis, but they existed be-
cause there Is needed freedom of develop
ment OF the individual and a common con-
tribution by its members to the needs of
society. Society. he explained, depends up
on modus vivendi, an arrangement for
hving together. and true taxation is that
levy by society upon the Individual of his
goods or comfort.
Question Mt Issue.
The great question at issue. thought Mr..
Davis. is. Who shall pay the cost of gov
ernment? 1t is true. he said that 1t seems
fair in theory that every individual should
contribute his share to the support of gov
ernment, but no equal system of taxation
mas ever been made, and no plan devised
Wnlch makes every one pay his or her share
OF such cost. Equality is not equity, said
Mr.. Davis except among equals; and. to
Illustrate, he cited the case of the rich tax
payer and the poor one, claiming that the
inequality of the two made an equitable tax
impossible. The single tax people ex-
planned Mr.. Davis, contend that taxation is
at the root of society, and that as some
thing is radically wrong with the present
condition Of society something needs cor
rection, that something being the present
system of taxation.
Unequal Wealth.
The ills from which society of today
suffered were due. Mr.. Davis believed, to
he ,fefa
born today is told, he said, that he can
occupy no spot of earth, because the whole
Of 1t has been pre-empted by those who
preceded him. He Is told that he is re-
sponsible for his coming, that what is Is
right, and that If he does not like things
as he finds them he had better get on the
earth. His every effort in life, said Mr.
Davis, is taxed, and taxed. too, for the
benefit Of those who came before him and
pre-empted the earth. The single tax man,
explained Mr.. Davis. says all that is wrong,
that the new conner Is entitled to a place
on earth. and those who have pre-empted
the earth should see that he has that
right.
Mnnkind's Advance.
In conclusion. Mr. Davis sketched the
history Of mankind, declaring that every
acre of land is traceable back to the prim-
tive farmer who first held 1t. He gave no
title. for he never was given any. He oc-
If common consent were now no longer ad-
visable, who should say that the right of
individual occupation would not fall?
There Is no vested right in any form of
wrong, declared Mr.. Davis. and if the fu-
ture could have been foreseen, it is not i'm
probable that individual occupation of land
would have been refused.
Mr.. Davis was given a rising vote of
thanks, and he remarked that If he had
succeeded in furthering in the slightest
way the progress of the single tax doctrine
his efforts had been well rewarded.
Another Charge of Street Obstruction.
To the Editor Of The Evening Star:
The successful issue of the stand taken
by The Star and the citizens in the vicinity
in the matter of the Belt line cars monopo-
lizing the public highway at 18th and o
streets northwest is a matter for public con-
graduation.
Let them now CThe Star and the interest
ed citizens) turn their attention to the con-
d:tions existing at New York avenue and
9Th street northwest, and they Will find
them very similar to those just abated at
18th and o streets. only more aggravated
and aggravating.
Here the horses are not only exchanged
with their consequent noise and danger,
but the cars positively obstruct a public
crossing for eight out of twenty-four hours
daily. Whether there is any legal right in
nefenC IN street railways TO 10 tnlS Is d
question, but as the steam rairoad COM
panies of this city have frequently been
brought into court for obstructing public
crossings 1t would seem that a special
providence has been interposed in behalf of
the lexington Railroad Company.
The writer. more than ten months ago,
wrote the District Commissioners on this
matter. This was before the day of secret
sessions and great mystery, but as no ap-
parent action has been taken by them look
ing to a remedy, either the Commissioners
were even then preparing to do things in
a mysterious manner or else did not intend
to do anything at all-probably the latter,
Judging from tine lack of results.
The family of the writer have several
times been endangered by the changing of
horses at this point, and it has been a mat
ter of great wonder (and thankfulness) that
no harm has been done them or any OF the
thousands who use this crossing.
The nagement Of the Belt line railway
and the lexington railway are under one
head, judging from the list of their officials
AS they very promptly retracted their po-
sition in the case Of the Belt railway OBJ
structions perhaps by the help Of The Star
and the voice of the outraged citizens
whose rights are being trampled upon the
lexington Railway Company may be per
suaded' to give the people chance to
cross public highway without the annoy