The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-08-22

among them adjutant- general of the terri
tory and sheriff of Yavapai county in the
memorable days of the Pleasant valley
war, one of the bloodie st of feuds. For the
last six years he has been populist, and
twice has made the losing fight on that
ticket for the Office of delegate in congress-
O'Neill's election to the Office of mayor was
not as a populist, however. 1t was as
non-partisan as was the election of any of
the republican city counciimen. The sim
pie fact was that the citizens had conclud-
ed to try a little experiment in political
economy on the lines that ONeili had
preached for years, and there was no one
better fitted to carry out these ideas than
O'Neill himself
The single tax ordinance was passed
within month. 1t is, therefore, too early
to tell its effect. But there has been little
or no complaint by the rate-payers, for the
fact may easily be demonstrated that the
new system viii furnish ample revenue
and, as it locally happens, without placing
on any shoulders an undue burden. The
tax at first imposed has been 81 per city
lot irrespective of value. To this is to be
added street tax on all males of 81 per
annum, merely as a temporary measure
10 be discontinued when the lot tax shall
have been so adjusted as to furnish near
ly all necessary revenue. 1t is designed
that only one license tax shall be retained
This tax, to the amount of $1,000 a year.
shall be upon drinking saloons. Curious
enough, this high-license plan has behind
1t the owners of the towns principal
drinking places.
The mayor about evenly divides his time
between the management of his copper
mines in the Grand canyon region and the
administration of his office. ! was fortu-
nate enough to find him in Prescott, and
had a very entertaining talk with him.
1t easy q see " bprpin lies bie f1Or111a r.
ity and his success. He is bubbling with
enthusiasm over the single tax expert
ment, and needed no urging 90 freely ex-
pand upon the benefits he believes it will
bring to the municipality.
Prescott" he began, has now some-
thing like 1900 population. Thirty years
ago the land on which ii stands was
bought from the government for 800. To-
day 1t is rated worth $1,000 900. This has
! been the rule all over the west. and, in
deed. in the east, where the island of Man
haitian was bought from the Indians for
S24 only three and a half centuries ago.
In no section of the world, perhaps, have
land values-represente by city lots-in-
creased so rapidly as in the western
states Of America during the last twenty
| five years. Land bought at the govern
| ment valuation of $l.25 an acre, in five, ten
| or fifteen years has increased i'm many in
] stances to millions. The cost of municipal
governments has increased, perhaps, pro-
portiOnatcly. These enormous increases
/ in values have been created solely by the
individuals composing the communities,
| yet the lot owners alone have received the
! benefit Under this system, by which
| whole people create enormous land values,
merely TO give to a comparatively few
| lot owners premium Is placed on land
monopolization and speculation, working
A corresponding injustice 10 the landless
and the homeseeker.
This is still further encouraged" con-
| tlnued Mayor ONeill, as he warmed up
to his subject, by giving to real estate
ownership-as is done in most municipal
charters-a predominant voice. This Is
done by allowing "A majority OF the land
holders on any street TO veto any proposed
Improvement on such street which may
specially affect the taxation Of their prop
erty, thereby placing small holdings-con-
shutting as a rule the homecoming class
at a direct disadvantage and para.yz-
| ing the efforts Of the more progressive
classes. While the land Spectator is
| thus favored by being given veto on
public improvements, simply because they
affect him pecuniariy, he Is given the
benefit Of dealing IN the one commodity
which, under normal conditions. rarely
deprCciates Ia value without being sub
1cctcd, Ike ordinary commercial or in
dustrial pursuits. TO a license tax. In
AttA NAAhAfA " AhANAi3ilt NO. ne pays but
one taX-that on his land-whilo the or
binary business man is, as "a rule. re-
quircd 10 pay, either In the shape OF d.
rect taxes or rent. these public charges.
I'D A tax on his business lot Co n tax
on his building. (O tax on his stock OF
goods or on his tools or Implements OF
trade. 90 "a license tax for carrying on
business.
Nor is this an" continued the mayor
"for the very home o. dlncrimlnatei
against N Doe have "a homo the same
business man 20 thrae charges must add
three more They are. ~ Il tax on MS
residence lots 40 n taK on hia residence.
OO a tax on hia furniture. This makes
total 0f seven direct taxation charges.
Yet u o. thr business ana Industrial
r'n.fDH thnt build up every community.
Take them from any municipality in che
sect ana che land would within "a Vfrf
feH years, revert 90 q value Dui ltiig be-