The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-10-19

have no desire TO say. anything deroga-
tory 10 The character of any OK the single
tax leaders. For aught l know they are
decent men. But / do wish 10 cali as,en-
ficf 70 this:
First. when you see a single tax leader
he is an enthusiast a crank" He knows
no other politics. II Is almost his religion.
He would sacrifice everything else IN tho
dominion OF politics TO advance his pet
theory OF single tax.
Second, single tax Is only theory
a dream. a visionary scheme the erd Of
which no living on see except where
j, morSes into a government tenantry sys-
tenn, and the people become mere slaves 10
the governments tax
ThTd. though the people are told In fus-
lon newspapers that single tax Is rot tho
issue. even +. ". Way denying Il. the evi-
Genca is that the single lax leaders used the
fusion party two years. ago to suFrep;itious-
~ gain control OF one OF the state ofr.ces
and 10 secure a majority of the fusion iegis-
iature. and ,hns without asking the consent
Of the people have been hshting for two
years to inculcate in our STATE government
single tax principles without even asking
the consent o: the people.
without submitting the question openly
70 the people they surrepsislousiy secured
a large membership or the last Legislature
and enacted single TAX measures that have
been snlsch!ev0aS and harmful.
II Is not generally understood that the
last fusion legislature provided for Tax eS~
cruptlon of !l9lo. Instead Of $40. as II had
been under Republican laws. and thus
cause8 ;he whole % oe tested n the courts.
out such ~ the fact.
Inderhana Methods of Legislation.
Section g: thu yeven0e laws of 1891 de-
sc-.bes the property that saal be exempt
from taxation. and says,
"six,b-The Personal PROP
EfTY OF each person liable to as
~e-.meut and taxation
4. nm amount not exceeding i've
hundred dollars.
"EIgh,h-The IMPROVEMENTS
IN AND UPON LAND of each per-
son liable to assessment aud
taxation to amount
no, exceeding Ave hundred dol
lars"
In calling attention % this desire also
to rake :. as an open chaygs that ire
scheme - the angle takers was 70 pass a
ni.l r2I..7s fer az exemption q improve
rner.s cu lan4s. Knowing taat Il was un-
crus:ttatiorai with q 2es!rs % compel Tho
peee.e - vo,e np8n the question 4 con-
st.tut.oaa, amen 1Tnent allowing 'ax ex-
enasi.9us. knowing ira: an3er such an
amendment hey woGld &c abe to pass
s-ag.e tax laws.
In other words. their motive in
providing $1,000 In tax exsmp-
items while pretending to- be for
the moor man. was In reality tn
farce Nurh changes In the state
roa.fftutfan would enable
them 10 saddle single tax upon
the people.
- they are honorable true sat patriotic
lee1ers WY haTe .hty rot come aat ana
pehae.y adsoeate3 "a policy tina: wopi6 err
abe ,hr legislature % enact laws carrying
OF. he Henry George theories 2o ngis
-ax9" Instead they have preferred % work
~ s,eaI,h. seeking 20 force fr.al os &fn-
g!e .ax or ;he peop!s whether they wsh Il
q not-
Ever Alert for Reform.
when the lass legislature rsef g IS Fac.
tha; the slngei TAX leaders b7asted ;aey
had slcee~dea in having about eh.rty-fear
z.ssnae % ias Sssss Tsx League elected