The record-union., 1898-09-19

graduated. He is still running hogs
into the sea and we trust that he en-
joys their company
THE NEW TAX IDEA.
Stockton Independent: II the people
wish to retain the present statue of
prosperity, if they want no exemptions
to the rich, no favors shown to the pala-
tial cities, they will not neglect to de-
feat the man who believes in single tax
and these consequent exemptions. Ma
guire is the test-the feeIer-put for
ward to ascertain if the public will per-
NIT this innovation. No one doubts
the willingness of the Democratic party
to take up and advocate the single tax
or anything else that it thinks may be
made popular That is what 1t Is test
ing now. Mcguire is it's bait. It has
made disastrous failures of the free
trade issue, the cheap silver issue, the
income tax issue and the anti-expanslon
issue. 1t now wants something else TO
fall back on. 1t is. however, some
what skeptical about this single tax
doctrine about which it really knows
nothing and cares less-and prudently
puts Mcguire up as the candidate With
out any platform expression so that II
can hereafter declare for or against 1t,
according to the result of the expert
ment
NOT ABUSE.
Santa Rosa Republican. Mr.. Ma
guire has repeatedly said that the best
interests of society will not be SUBJ
served till the single tax is inaugurated.
Believing this-and he is no doubt hon
est and sincere in the belief-why
should he not use the prestige of the
Governors office, if elected, to pro-
mote this idea? He would be false to
his convictions if he did not do so. And
such being the case why should not
those who oppose that idea do what
they can to keep him from reaching an
Official position that would carry with
it great advantage? It is not personal
abuse to discuss. Mr.. Maguire's single
tax notions, but it is perfectly legiti-
mate campaign procedure.
THE MAVERICK IN POLITICS.
San Diego Union: Secretary of
State Brown showed practical COM
nonsense in his decision of the dis
the-road Populists Each desired a
Peoples Party" Secretary Brown
says that men who have completely
merged their political identity in that
of another organization, forfeit their
party name. Under this ruling the term
"Populist,' in California at least, means
the middle -of-the-road men and nobody
else. The fusionists who claim to be-
long to the third party become mere po-
litical mavericks-a very proper status
for men who, in their greed for office.
have sacrificed even the poor prin-
ciples that they once possessed.
1t is probable that before the cam
paign in California is ended, the aver
age voter, as we'll as Secretary Brown,
will make some little analysis of polit-
ical fusion as now exemplified in this
State. Honest and intelligent citizens
when election time comes, are wont to
consider in the first instance the decla-
rations Of principles which the candi-
dates profess. Unless a nominee is
for some reason actually obnoxious he
Will receive the vote of citizens who
approve his platform. The latter is tie
real test Of political fitness.
There is no difficulty in the voter de-
and Populist declarations They are
widely different, but each taken by
itself is a distinct statement of princi-
pies. But how is any intelligent voter
to apply the platform test to the fusion
ticket? All the men on it favor free
silver, but beyond that there is a chaos
of convictions, or no convictions at all.
To vote for the ticket as a whole re-
quires ridiculous sacrifice of consist
ency on the part Of Democrat, Popuiisr
or Silver Republican.
SINGLE TAX.
Amador Republicans: After a futile
attempt to make it appear that the sin
gle tax theory cannot be an issue,
either directly or indirectly, in this
campaign, the Democratic papers have
been driven to the defense of that doe
trine. Seeing that the peoIle could not
be fooled into voting for man with a
dangerous hobby on the plea that he
could not do any harm with it unless
the law were changed, they have aban-
doned that line of argument already
and are now vainly endeavoring TO
show that Mr.. Mcguire means no harm
when he says that Land is the COM
mon property of the people and no more
capable of private ownership than air
and sunshine"
People who own their homes and
others who hope to own homes have
plainly indicated some apprehension
that the result Of their lifelong labor
and economy to raise themselves above
above want and keep out of the aim
house in their old age, is jeopardized
by elevating to high office men with
such views as those professed by the
little giant"
1t also appears that there are thou
sands who have money in saving banks.
and the saving banks have loaned it
out on real estate security, and the las.
resort in this case is of course laud,
which would not furnish security for
anything under the proposed new dis
pensation of Henry George and the Cal
lagher Mcguire.