Evening star., 1896-10-26
Single Tax Men Not a Unit for
Bryan.
MANY ARE OPPOSED TO FREE SILVER
A Statement of Their Position in
the Campaign.
NOT BLIND Discomfort

any reason, combine on either Of the lead
ing candidates
In Delaware, where the single tax theory
has apparently gained more ground than it
has anywhere else, a strong and determine
ed effort has been made to prove that the
single takers are a unit, or practically 80,
for Bryan. The reasons given for this
state Of affairs are that while the single
takers are by no means agreed on the
merits of free silver as a fiscal scheme,
they are satisfied that the cause which is
nearest to their hearts would stand a bet
ter chance of success If there were such a
general shaking-up as would result from
Bryan's election. In this city, too. a num-
Der OF believers in the single tax theory
have come out unreservely for Bryan. and
nave been making big claims as to the in
huence the adherents of that theory would
exert In the coming election.
An interesting addition to the literature
OF the campaign has just been issued in
the form of an open circular signed by
number of the leading single takers, in
which they protest against any attempt to
identify their cause with that Of free silver
and assert that many Of their number are
to the circular were secured, it is stated,
without any great amount of canvassing.
for which there was not time before elec-
ton. The circular is as follows:
Opposed to Free Silver.
1.-The undersigned, who are firm believers
in the wisdom and necessity of single tax
upon land values, to the exclusion of all
other forms of taxation. feel 1t to be their
duty. in view of the effort made in some
quarters to identify the single tax move
nent with the demand for free coinage of
silver, to protest against any such effort,
whether made by friends or enemies of our
cause, and briefly to state our own position
We claim for ourselves no right of in
fallibl:ty, nor do we question the hon
esty OF purpose of those single takers with
whom we disagree upon this question. All
that we ask of them is that they shall not
attempt to identify the single tax move
ment In the public mind with the demand
for free coinage of silver; while for our
selves We desr re to make the public under
stand that some Of the most earnest ad-
vocates of the single tax are opposed to
didacy of Mr.. Bryan.
I'VE particularly appreciate the care with
which the founder of the movement. Henry
George, has abstained from any form Of
expression which woull seem to commit
his single tax followers to an Endorsement
of his individual course in the present cam
paign; and we are glad to observe that not
only he, but most OF the other single tax
ers who have declared themselves as sup
porting Mr.. Bryan, have at the same time
disclaimei all belief in free silver, baslng
their decision to give such support upon
grounds entirely distinct from the cur
rancy question.
I'VE thoroughly sympathize with the mo-
tives that have led them to this decision
and would gladly join in action that would
raise, in logical terms, a protest against the
evil conditions which paternalsm in govern
meEt has brought upon US. But to US 1t Is
clear that the demand for free silver is but
another of the off-shoots Of this paternalism
with which our country has so long been
cursed.
Much as we deplore the setting aside for
the movement of all issues n which, as
single takers, we are really interested we
cannot disguise from ourselves that in this
campaign there is but one issue-that Of
free silver; nor can we delude ourselves
with the idea that any gain can be made
FOR the cause of the people by supporting
Mr.. Bryan, while denying the monetary
doctrine for which he stands and to which
he has subord.nated every other issue. For
unless our conception of the single tax is
a mistaken one, It stands for definite
remedy, not for a blind discomfort.
Want Less Patcrnalism.
'The battle for the single tax has hith-
erto been one for more freedom. not for
less, for less interference by paternal
government, not fer more; and we should
deny the fundamental principle which has
inspired II were we to aid in forcing upon
the community by lega, tender acts a COIN
aim of the single takers has been to re-
move the restrictiors upon industry that
come Of unwise Pnd unjust taxation: we
Cannot consent to intensity the effect Of
these restrictions by helping to precipitate
the paralysis of industry which must fol-
low q financial panic.
And while we must. therefore, as single
takers, reject a proposed remedy which
has nothing in common with the single
tax, but Is, indeed, opposed to its essential
spirit We are also unflnchingiy opposed to
the public and private dishonesty that is
involved in the payment of debts with the
deprecated dollars that we believe would
result from free silver coinage at 16 to 1. We
do not maintain that the single tax is, or
ought to be. Identified with the gold stand
ard any more than with the silver stand
not afford to be associated with q proposal
that must have dishonest results, with
whatever honesty of purpose it may be
advocated.
(Signed) "Thos. G. Shearman, New York:
G. st. J. Leavens. New York: Byron W.
Holt, New York; Whidden Graham New
York; E. ]. Shriver, New York; Jno R.
Waters. New York; w. E. Barker, New
York; Lawrence Durham. New York: c. g.
Chamberlin, New York; Jno. j. Murphy.
New York; Preble Tucker. New York; Mar
tin Gay, New York: August Lewis New
York: w. 8. Kahnweiler. New York: A. B.
Earquhar York. Pa; VIM. c. Wulff. Ohio;
ii. Delano. Brooklyn, N. Y: Thos Dontze,
Brooklyn. N. Y; ]. G. Parsons, Brooklyn'
N. Y; H. Rowley, Brooklyn, N. Y; VIM.
Lloyd Garrison. Massachusetts,; Jas. r.
Carret. Massachusetts,: C. B. Fillebrown.
Massachusetts,; Louis F. Prang. Massachu-
setts: Read Gordon. New Jersey: Jos. Dana
Miller. New Jersey; c. H. r. Woodward.
New York: Lindley vinton, New York: Dr.
Walter Mendelson, New York; E. O. Ros-
coe, Brooklyn. N. Y; G. W. Case, Brook
lyn, N. Y: A. g. Kirkman, BROOKLYN. N. v.
David narrower. Rhode Island; j. A.
Brown. Rhode Island: Benz W.Case, Rhode
Island; Edward Walker. Rhode Island: Ell
mer p; Booth, Rhode Island: M. L. Haw-
ley. Binghamton. N. Y: G. 8. Perry. BinS-
hamton, N. Y; Bolton Smith, Tennessee.
Samuel Miliiken. Philadelphia; Malcolm n,
Mcdonald: Tennessee; F. E. Hathhorn.
Iowa; r. T. Snediker, Kansas; ]. w. Raj.
ley. Kansas; E. T.. Shelly, Kansas: All
Bishop Mason. New York: DR. VIM T
Swift. New York; A. S. Froslid, North Da.
kota: VIM L. Price. Philadelphia: Edward
P. Wentworth, Maine: F. s. MONTGOMERY
Ohio; Geo. Boeck, Nebraska; l.. o, Wac'
daniel New Jersey; E. N. Valiandigham
New York.
On the Other Side.
Mr.. C. B. Hemingway, the wel,-known
local single taxer. writes to The Evening
Star upon the subject as follows:
why do favor Bryan's election? Tho ro-
ply may be interesting to some, in view NJ
the fact that wholly disagree with him IN
the money question. which seems to he the
paramount issue in the campaign.