The evening times., 1896-06-04

common wealth. mas eApetltitteu slhtc Its
history began" said an enthusiastic Wash
ington single tax advocate
While in the other States throughout
the Union the VARIOUS phases Cr pOiitles and
availability of candidates have teen dis
cussed and absorbed the attention or the
politicians, Della ware has waged its own
fight materially different from all the rest.
THE contest there has been almost solely
one for supremacy OF Ia ctIons between the
two parties. issues aud principles being lost
sight OF in the struggle 70 eel IN top
In the Republican camp it has teen Ad-
dicks or antI-Auaieks. TIE iauler LesDg the
supporters aud followers of ex-senator
Higgins and the millionaire gas king. mo
nopolist and political boss has triumphed
over his party opponents completely.
Yet, however harshly Addicks may
have been assailed, IL is nevertheless the
opinion Of unbiased and shrewd political
observers that Addicks is really Got 50
bad as he has been painted.
His one ambition is to represent the
State OF Delaware in the United States SEN
ate. To do this he would willingly sacri-
flee anything. Yet. whatever may be his
motives or his political tfickery, the fact
remains that his popularity, which cannot
be denied, is not entirely measured by the
size of his bank account. With him a re the
VoOtti tldSSCo III tbS
Republican, party in the State. His oppO-
nents arr the aristoeratic and wealthy class
cs as represented by Higgins. and the ma sses
OF the pa rty have rallied to the support uf
the gas king.
BOTH HAVE KNIVES.
Just know Addicksism prcdominates,
and each faction has large knife up its
sleeve for the other. Among the Democrats
the situation is little il any better. With
them il is Walcctt versus Salisbury, Am
bassador Bayard lending his support to the
former and Senator Gray endeavoring to
pour Oil on the troubled waters, but to no
avail.
'.Anc IL is just here that new factor
has been injected into Delaware politics.
which is far-reacbing in its effects and
destined TO work complete change in the
affairs OF the State, and will play most
important part III the elections nextfall.
.'One year ago. acting upon the suggestion
of Jackson II Ralstou OF this city, the single
tax advocates throughout tie country de-
ternined to make a winning fight to estab-
lish their doctrine in tie State.
There were many reasons why the
folio wers or Henry George chose Della ware
as the State in which to give the obi iect
lesson on the practical workings of their
theory. III the first place TIE State Is
small and easily haudled, the total voting
population not being in excess Of 1000.
Again, no change in the constitution
OF the State would be required to pass a
In W embodying a tax upon land values ex-
elusive OF all improvements for State,
county aud municipal purposes. This was
most important point in their favor, as in
most of the States constitutional provisions
would prohibit the enactment OF such legis-
lation.
Further, such measure AS they propose
could be passed by the legislature, body
composed OF 9 senators aud 81 represent
ativcs, and could not be prevented from be
coming a Ia W by the governor, as that off
Ger does not have the right TO exercise tho
veto power. The State is also easy OF ac
cess to the large cities of the East. such 4!
New York, Brooklyn, Philadelphia, Baiti
more, Washington and Boston, in all o.
which there are strong Single Tax Club:
| to lend their support TO The work.
FAVORABLE CONDITIONS.
The conditions prevailing in the State
| the fighting factions and the almost equa
strength of the old parties, were most
| favorable for the opening OF an aggress,v,
| campaign there.
The parties are so evenly divided tina,
| 200 or 400 votes control tue balance OF
power.
The opening gun of the campaign
| was fired about the middle Of June las,
| year, when one Saturday night q party o.
single takers, principally from the Phua
delphia club, spread out in towns and
cities throughout the State, and on stree
corners and in public places began talkin,
| to the people. AT that time a canvass o
| the entire State sh owed eleven active
| known single tax advocates Residing within
| its borders. Comparatively little attcn
ton was paid to the campaigners, and i
| was said that they would go away II
| the fall with the other summer novelties
| But, subs equent facts have demonstrated
they had come to stay.
| Headquarters Were established in vii
| mingron, and every day in the year tn
| principles of the single tax have beel
heard on every hand. A dozen or NOR
men tave been in the field at all times
have lived there, worked and talket
among the people, and been supported b,
| free contributions from sympathiZer
| :hrougbou the country.
"The progress made in the campaign liza
| enlivened the interest in other places, an
the results will be awaited with interes,
Henry George, RI. Edward McGlynn, th
| Catholic priest who was ex-communic3te te
because he advocated the cause, and after
wards reinstated; Hon. Tom Johnson, Hor
James G. Mcguire, Hon. Jerry Simpson
Potion Hall, of New York; William Lloy
| Garrison, Sen Of the great abolitioDist, au
others whose names are weli-knowp, hav
found time to lend hand to the campaign
suCC EsS IN VIEW.
They have made speeches, and larg
mass meetings have been held throughor
the states with unbountied success
Wilmington, especially, under the leader
ship of A. II. Stevenson, George F. Stevens
aud Messrs. Tuttle Hetzei and others, til
enthusiasm has been almost unparalleled
I,a.-
ranks, leaders of both the old parties hav
became alarmed, and have sought wit
every possible means to thwart their prog
resS.
Their speakers have been arrested an
Imprisoned, being even thrown into ia
without the privilege of a jury trial, an
freedom OF speech has been denied then
Just now Mr.. George Stevens is lar
gushing in the Dover Jail for ma king singI
tax speeches III that city upon the publ
highways. Mr.. Stevens is a wealthy PHI
adeIphian. cultured and successful in bus
ness, but rather than surrender the primo
pie for which he contendS is serving tweGt
days in Jail TO appease the dignity of Del;
ware law.
''The single-taXers look upon this mod
OF sluelchiDg them as mere persecutio
and many even who are not advocates
the doctrine are openly deDouucing the q
] siOh vi tiN tduSibf, bbC
''The eampaigners have made a house-t
house canvass OF every township in the thrs
counties of the State. and the result h;
been the enrolment of about SOC vote
upon the list of single tax clubs. The a
vocates claim that this does not in al
measure Indicate the strength of their eau
by long odds.
There are thousands who are symp
thiZers and will vote for the propositit
and are anxious to see the eXperime
tried.
Coming back to the old parties. the stu
ton is critical one for them. These &c
, voters are determined to cast their 81
frages for no one not IN sympathy with II