The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1895-04-10
THE SINGLE TAKERS.

Who Cannot Spell COrrectly-A De-
fence of Their Motives-An Inter-
ing Let%r.s
owe have deceived the following letter.
Although not sent to us for publication,
it is so interesting that we take the liber-
ty of printing it, emitting the writer's
name.
We cheerfufy eacede the truth of much
that is said by our correspondent. We did
not mean to,qharae that the rank and file
of the single taxefs were Intentional tools
of plutocracy. We believe them to be hon
est and earnesti enthusiasts whom no
brides could corrupt. What we meant was
that the money power. having failed to
divide the people on religion, through the
failure of the A. P. A. movement, were
ready to seize upon any issue that would
push aside the great questions involved
in the Omaha platform; and hence they
would pat on the back the single tax
theory or anything else that could be used
to that end.
We have no personal hostility toward the
single takers. They have creed, plan
of reform, which they think would benefit
IIdHhAlu VIZ IIOIOT lucLl lOT luelT pHII-
anthropic purpose and for courageously
maintaining their convictions. We have
no desire to drive them out of the Peo-
pies party In the, great temple of our
party all kinds of discussions should be
carried ON. We may be prepared to ac-
cept in 1898 what we would not in 1896.
Agitation is the mother of education.
hat CT no OFT
made in Minnesota last year to draw the
laboring men of Minneapolis away from
the Peoples party and into the Democratic
party under the single tax argument. We
are glad to learn from our correspond
ent that this was an extraordinary and
isolated instance, and yet we cannot for
get that Henry George came here, in the
name of single tax, and advocated the
Democratic ticket.
We are not going to play Archbishop
Corrigan to Father McGlynn, and drive
men out of the Peoples party because of
their view as to the best method of taxa
ton. But if single takers make war on
the Peoples party they have got to take
the blows as they come.
We have reason to think our correspond
ent errs in claiming some of the gentlemen
he names as single takers. 1t is always
easier for a busy man to say Eyes, yes,"
than to enter into long argument.
'In essentials unity: in non-essentials
liberty; in all things harmony" Ed. Rep.)
To the Editor:
1 was Peter Cooper Greenbacker and
delegate to the Omaha convention from
the 18th distride of Missouri; my colleague
from that district Ibeing w. S. Morgan.
I say this to sAowi that 1 am a Populist
and as to my lBressnt activity in the par
ty 1 can refer you. to Chairman Rozelle,
of the Missouri state committee.
I wish to eafhestay protest against the
editorial in the latest issue of the Repre-
sentative in which you call in question
the motives of4the single takers, and ex-
press the opinion that they are the organ
lied agents of plutocracy. l know the
Peoples party movement inside and out
and am on terms of personal friendship
with Paul Vandefvoort, DR.. McLallin,
Taubeneck, Mcdowell, Frank Burkitt, H.
L. Loucks, Marion Butler. and some 9TH
of our prominent leaders, but l am
still better Informed Jas to the makeup
and workings of thes&ugle taxymovement
knowing personally nearly every single
taxer of general reputation; and l assure
you that a more earnest, self sacrificing
body of men does not exist. Criticise
their theories of course; but don't impugn
their motives. You ought to know that
some of the best Populists are single
takers. In this list are Gen. Weaver,
Jerry Simpson, J. R. Sovereign, E. "
Debs, H. L. Loucks, Henry Smith, of MIL
waukee, Judge Nugent, of Texas, Freeman
Knowles, of Dakota, Will Kennedy, of
Montana, Frank Burkitt, of Mississippi
and whole crowd Of the Illinois and Chi
cago Populists, including N. j. Barnitt
c. S. barrow, F. ]. Schultz, and John T.
White. The late Judge Isaac Howe, of
South Dakota, was one of the first in the
United States to avow himself single
taxer. L can show you the signatures of
Senators PETER and Kyle to the state
ment that they are single takers, and in
the last congress Senator PETER introduced
single tax bill, not by request
but of his own motion The
greatest statesman in this country today,
in my opinion, and in the opinion of all
Texas Populists, is Thomas L. Nugent. He
is a single-taxer through and through. Such
man as Nugent, and such men as the
late Judge Howe, you will admit, Brother
Donnelly, are entitled to respect Their
opinions on this subject you ought to re-
flute, if they are wrong but any opinion
expressed by a profoundly able man, like
Judge Nugent, and a keen intelligence, like
Jerry Simpson, should be treated respect
fully, even when opposed.
AS to the numerous letters you nave been
receiving. Some of them are to be account
ed, for by the. fact that you were for one
week Zone week only placed on the target
list of one division of the Single Tax Letter
Writing Corps This is purely voluntary
organization of single takers, who agree
to each write one letter per week to some
newspaper or public man designated by
the secretary of the corps from week to
week. 1 never belonged to that corps, but
l know all about it. At one time it's secre-
tary was Louis Klein, a common labOrer of
st. Louis, who earned $40 per month, work.
ing 10 hours per day, and directed the cor
respondence of the corps nights. During
an illness of his the work was taken off
his hands by woman of no greater wealth
than Klein, Estella Bachman Brokaw, now
of st. Louis. Her expenses for postage
and stationery are paid by contributions
from the members, who are mostly work.
ingmen. The corps has no plutocratic back
ing inspiration whatever.
You may not know it, but the Will M.
Buell., whose spelling you sneer at, is a
brother of c.. ]. Buell.. Neither can C. J.
Buell. spell, as you doubtless have observed,
but he has brains, and SO has Will M.
Buell.. Spelling , something of a natural
gift. Taubeneck and Jerry Simpson can't
spell, but they have fair education.
AS to the singld-tax department in the
plutocratic Chicago Tmes-Herald. 1t was
obtained through willis J. Abbott, late of
Herald. He vote& thszpopulst ticket last
fall fall It is editsdisy VI F. Cooling, Popu-
The Chicago siASle- Hxers Club officially
and unanimously aind4ksed the Peoples