The San Francisco call., 1897-02-22
THE SINGLE TAX
At SACRAMENTO
James S. Reynolds Reports
On the Status of the Con-
stitutional Amendment.
Many Legislators Have Been
Converted to the Great
Reform.
II Constitutional Convention b
Called the Single Tax Is
Assured, He Says.

The Single Tax Society held an interest
| ing and important meeting at Pythian
Castle last evening. James B. Reynolds.
who has been doing battle at Sacramento
| in behalf of the proposed amendment to
the constitution that shall make the single
tax possible in this State, made q report
of the progress of the work. 1t was very
encouraging to single takers and vote OF
thanks was rendered him by the society.
Mr.. Reynolds was introduced and said 4:
wish had the ability and the time to
describe TO you the progress we have made
during the past three or four years. This is
the .hirt Time have been 10 Sacramento in
oehaif OF the single tax movement. When l
look back 10 my former experience OF three
ana tour years ago can hardly tell you of the
difference OF tone and feeling that l found
among the men who compos the Legislature.
1t Is most d fficult to get hearing. But there
are number OF old-Iimers and some single
takers who are working Tooth and nail Tor the
single tax amendment to the constitution
Mhen / got there the committees were not
only at sea about the proposition, but were op-
posed TO 1t, excert Bulia in the Senate COM
m1ttee. l am speaking o. the Senate commit
tee particularly. Every time / went before 1t
these members began as king questions about
the single tax. Now, this amendmen ent is not q
single tax measure. 1t simply provides that
1.-The Legislature shall provide for the levying
OF taxes and the raising of revenue in such
manner as 1t shall deem lust; provided that
Tor local purposes taxes may be imposed as the
electors OF the county and other political SUBJ
divisions may decide"
l answered the questions as they came up,
but always came back 10 the statement that
this does n0i introduce the single tax but
merely gives the Legislature jurisdiction in the
matter. Still the questions came. Finally
got In and for straight hour and half
pumped them full of single tax. At the end
of that time they had TO give up the room we
occupied. The chairman said he was sorry 10
interrupt me, but said he was ready 10 vote on
| the subject then. Others said the same. said
! was ready TO submit ii. Everyone voted in
favor. The Assembly committee did the same.
There are q number of strong and inteliisent
supporters OF the single tax, men who know
what they are talking about. Mr. Boone, a
farmer OF Tulare, is one OF the sOld men OF
the Assembly. He says the farmers of Tulare
are ready Tor the single tax now. Mr.. Keegan,
| a merchant of Santa Rosa, is stanch sup
porter Mr.. Dryden, an old lawyer OF San
Diego, was opposed to the proposition at first,
but with little taking to he came in. There
are still many others.
There are twenty-five bills introduced
by labor unions The members OF those unions
gave their entire attention 10 them, and we
can expect no help from that quarter. The
lroquols Club passed airesolution that this
amendment be favored and offered an Iro-
quois Club measure. That did much good.
When went up to Sacramento year ago It
was with the intention of Offering q slngle-tax
amendment, pure and simpie-that all reve-
nues be assessed 10 land values. However, our
friends in the Legislature thought that it
would De ill-advised that many mem bers had
been educated up to the amendment pre-
yiously offered. and we would let il go at tnat.
However, made good use of the petition that
mas been circulated and so numerously signed
during the past year.
Mr.. Reynolds said he could give no as
surances of the success of the measure,
but that there was good fighting chance.
He said it was possible constitutions 81
convention would be called. land If it is
the day is won. We will write the article
on revenue and taxation just as certainly
as one is written ne declared.
J. S. David OF the Swedenborgian
church, H. l.. Pleace and Misses Ale1an-
der and Bridge maze addresses
a meeting will be held on the first Sun
day evening OF every month at the same
place. The society will arrange to have
James A. Herne, the single-tax actor,
who appears this week in "Shore Acres
at the BALDWIN, to deliver an address on
the single tax. The society will also ar
range for a theater party 10 see "Shore
Acres in body his week.