The herald., 1896-06-14

any hearers. BHt If the honorable court
is personally opposed to the sentiments
promulgated he can peremptorily send
the speaker TO Jail without jury trial or
the right of bail
This campaign of single-taxers insti-
tuted and carried on already for nearly
year, with view of securing a change
in the ridiculous and iniauitous taxa
tion laws of the state, has now assum-
ed such proportions as to arouse the
nerceSt antaSoniSm on the part of GER
tain vested interests. Those powerful
interests are recently making use of
just such tools as Cooper for the pur-
pose OF crushing out, If possible, the
new reform movement. This indicates
that they are alarmed at the progress
made by the crusaders.
Frank Stephens is said by all who
know him to be perfect gentleman, as
well as a very enthusiastic single-taXer
AT the mock trial witness testified that
single-taxers themselves kept the side
walk and street clear of obstruction
while Stephens was speaking. The con-
demned man is thrifty manufacturer
Of Philadelphia, where he has hosts of
friends. He is said to be worth $4,000,
enjoys a handsome annual income, is
president of two prosperous business
concerns, and member of the Art
club. Delaware newspapers, with few
exceptions, and also leading dailies of
Washington, Philadelphia and New
York condemn the outrageous proceed
ings at Dover in strong terms, some of
them pronouncing it disgrace, not only
to the state capital, but to the entire
commonwealth. The New York Jour
nal of the I'd inst. makes it the subject
of its leading editorial, and under the
head of Persecution in Delaware
scathingly denounces the Dover Dog
berry, and declares that such attempts
to gag and crush free speech will surely
react upon it's guilty perpetrators.
Meanwhile the single-tax speakers
here are undsmayed, and all the more
determined to push the fight as hard
as possible and in every legitimate man
ner. They are receiving not only SYM
pathy and advice, but substantial aid
from wealthy, influential men in and out
of the state. At their headquarters in
this city the work of advertising meet
ings, making assignments for speakers
all over the state, procuring tents, dis
tributing tons of literature, and in every
legitimate way propagating their pecu-
liar reform, goes on without abatement
from early morning till nearly midnight,
seven days in the week. Nor does the
prospect that a speaker may at almost
any time, especially in one of the
smaller towns, be arrested and "jugged"
deter them from going on the stump
whenever opportunity is offered. On
the contrary, they seem all the more
eager to talk publicly, jails or no jails.
Within the past few days man after
man has begged of the committee the
privilege Of being sent to Dover for the
purpose of addressing street audience.
They are the most perSevering, fearless
band of political reformers 1 have ever
seen. Whether their principles be cor
rect or otherwise, no intelligent person
can doubt the sincerity and heartfelt
earnestness of the propagandists them
selves.
Such incidents as these give to the
campaign an almost lurid appearance,
! and the unique situation is bringing lit
tie Delaware into wide notoriety. The
single takers hope to gain enough con-
VertS among the voters in the two old
parties to enable them to hold the bal
ance of power in the next legislature.
That they have already gained thous-
ands of adherents to their doctrine is an
admitted fact from all sides. At the gen.
eral election In November a full state
ticket will be chosen, and a new legisla-
ture and members of a constitutional
convention will also be voted for. AS a
rule the Republicans in the state are
rather more progressive than the Dem
ocrats in their ideas concerning tax re-
loi III LII ldCt, the average DeldWdre
Bourbon does not know what genuine
Democracy is. The Republicans of tho
state very generally oppose a poll tax
| and wish to have the unjust burden re-
| moved from the heads and pockets of the
! people. The Democrats, on the con.
trary. are in favor of perpetuating it
The Republicans are opposed to con.
tinuing the present system of county
! representation. The Democrats are ir
| favor of it. Under the present laws each
county is divided into ten representative
districts each district being entitled to
legislative representative. Yet the to-
tai vote of the county elects every one
of those representatives, regardless of
the vote in any particular district. 1t
is as II all the congressman that a given
state Is entitled to, by districts, should
be elected by a majority vote of the