Evening star., 1896-08-05
SINGLE TAX MARTYRS
Violent Opposition Of Delaware Democrats to
Free Speech.
Mr.. Ralston's Efforts in Behalf of
Arrested Men Nearly Result In His
Being Sent to Jail.

Mr. jackson H. Ralsten returned to Wash
ington this morning from Dover. Del,
where he went day before yesterday to
render legal assistance to the single takers
who have been put in jail there. Mr. AaI-
ston says there are seventeen single tax
advocates in Jail now. One map, Frederick
w. Moore. manager Of the washington
Law Journal. was Frustrated with typhoid
fever while in Jail, was pardoned out and
is now in the hospital at Wilmington.
IT could have got myself in jail In short
order last night" said Mr.. Ralston. 1.-TWO
of our men were arrested last night about
o'clock for trying to speak on the single
tax theory. 1 offered myself as attorney
for one of them, Mr.. Albright, when he
was called for trial. before Alderman
Cooper. My offer was refused on the
ground that had not been admitted to the
bar in Delaware, and the offer to furnish an
introduction by an eminent member OF the
Delaware bar YVES also rejected.
A Despotic Little Judge.
"All could do. therefore. was 20 sit by
Albright and suggest to him what ques-
ticns to ask in his own behalf. He first
asked what the charge was against him.
He was told 1t was obstructing the streets.
When Albright said that the charge made
by the policeman who made the arrest
was the offense Of standing on box and
trying to speak to a crowd the alderman
told him that he was not compelled to tell
MIN what the charge against him was. AMI
that when he fined him and computed him
to Jail 1t would be time enough for him to
know what the charge was. Albright was
sentenced to Jail for thirty days. l was
told to shut up and get out Of the room.
1t was clear that a word from me would
have resulted in my going to Jail for con-
tempt.
THE peculiar thing in the situation is
hot lr thyc
tribunal and no jury trial or change Of
venue. The Dover alderman is not men,
ber OF city council, in other cities, but
judicial officer. whose duty it Is to try
petty offenses against the city.
Selling Their Labor.
'In an official advertisement william NJ.
Diokerson, clerk Of the peace for Kent
county. has asked for proposals for the
who persist in violating the laws Of the
state. All bids for the services of these
men are to De in the hands Of the clerk
on or before II o'clock on Tuesday, the II tn
one against the city, and the commitment
by city judge, it Is not exactly clear
what right the county has to sell the labor
of these men. That is another popularity
of official procedure in Delaware. There
seems no way to get at the matter unless
oy habeas corpus proceedings. with Mr.
James L. w OlcOtt OF the Dover bar made
application before Chancellor Nicholson
for writ of habeas corpNs in order to
get the single tax prisoners out on bail.
The chancellor will hear the argument on
the application Saturday, but the men
were denied bail.
Why There Is Opposition.
THE violent opposition to discussion of
the single tax question in Delaware comes
from the democrats. whose ranks are los
ing numbers continually as the discussion
gees on. The respectable element Is dis
posed to show fair play, and we hope to
have hearing sooner or later. AT the
same time the rough element is becoming
more bold In its violence, and threatens to
break out in riotous force the single tax
men. OF course, we do not want our men
to risk their lives.
Violence Feared.
Yet we shall try to be heard, and we
shall endeavor to be protected. We hope
some definite help may come from the
habeas corpus proceedings Saturday. The
cause is gaining numbers in consequence OF
the treatment shown it. Last Saturday
night We had a meeting al Dover attended
by a thousand people. A member OF the
city council got permit for parade with
tin horns. and a lot of boys tried to break
up the single tax meeting with their din,
but our people took the horns away from
them and went on with the speeches. The
opposition is bitter, and 1t Is not unlikely
that 1t will result, sooner or later, in q
serious outbreak.