The herald., 1896-05-17
SUNDAY, MAY 1896
LOCAL OPTION AS A STATE
ISSUE

However much the people Of Califor-
mia may be divided in opinion on nation
al issues, such as the tariff, finance, and
foreign policies. there is one question of
grave Importance on which all intelli-
gent voters who really desire the good
of the commonwealth can and should
unite. We refer to the question of local
option in taxation. A strong effort was
made when our last legislature was in
session to induce that august body to
pass a local option law, but the effort
failed, a many worthy effort has
failed in a legislative body afflicted with
dull consciences and paucity of brains
The more the subject Of a state law
permitting each county and municipal
ity to select its own method of raising
public revenue is Investigated the more
rational reasonable and fair 1t will ap-
pear. If the people of one county or one
city desire to adopt a taxation system
different from that prevailing in some
other county or city they should have
that privilege,
This question is coming to the front
more and more in various states besides
California. The movement IN New York
city and state for the proposed change
is stronger today by 100 per cent than it
was two years ago. 1t is only a ques-
ton of a few months more when the en-
pire state will have laws allowing the
people the leeway they desire in the
matter Of taxation. Many of the wealthy
and influential business firms of New
York city are using their influence and
contributing money to the fund of the
Tax Reform association-an organiza-
ton established purposely to bring
about this reform. 1t is believed that
if the voters of the metropolis were per-
United to decide the question for them
selves, without state interference, they
would by d large majority abolish tax
alton on personal property of every de-
scription. In Illinois there is a local
option movement of formidable proper
tons and strength. The Democracy OF
the state is virtually committed in ia
Vor of it. The eighth biennial re-
port of the bureau of labor statistics,
q document emanatng from a Demo
cratic administration and endorsed by
sensible, honest men of all parties.
strongly urges the adoption of local op-
ton and backs up the recommendation
with an array of statistics which con-
stitute an unansWerable argument. The
state federation of labor is also com
mtted to the reform, and its president
Is one Of it's ablest advocates. The issue
will be made in the state convention
soon to be held at Springfield. The
Sangamon county Democratic conven-
ton, recently held at Springfield, de-
clared emphatically in favor of local OPP
ton. Advocates of the measure will go
into the state convention determined to
secure local option plank in the plat
form if possible. Should they be de-
feated they will withdraw from the con-
vention in body and then announce to
the world that the working classes and
their best interests have been ignored
by the Democratic party.
Such a result would most likely prove
calamitous to the Democracy of the
state, and set back the cause of tax re-
form several years. For il the Demo-
cratic party fails to recognize this plain
reasonable demand for the rights of the
people, surely nothing can be expected
from the old party of prejudice. restric-
ton, discrimination and special privil-
eye. which as matter of custom is mis-