The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1901-04-25

Declares I
VIII BE the Leading Candidate for
the Democratic Presidential Nomi-
nation - The Prominent Issues
Judge James G. Mcguire who formerly
represented the San Francisco district in
Congress, and who has been in Washing
ton for several days, says he believes
Mayor Johnson, of CIeveIend, has bright
political future Since the death of Henry
George Judge Mcguire has been regarded
as the leading advocate Of the single tax.
Tom Johnson represents issues and re-
forms upon which. in my opinion, the
next national contest viii be waged- said
Judge Mcguire this morning These are
issues which are being pressed to the
front in the political battle. and which
must be met He also represents a great
economic philosophy which is daily gath
ering strength. and which, while it can
not be made a national issue VIII bring
to him vast support outside OF his own
party He is also a man upon whom the
divided clements of Democracy can unite
and, I believe, win a triumphant victory
Therefore. viewing the trend of events. I
look TO see him the leading and most
available candidate of the Democratic
party for the Presidency in 1894.
Mr. johnson represents the progressive
movement in favor of municipal ownership
of public utilities and franchises which is
coming to be more and more a question in
local elections. and while that cannot be
made a national issue. any more than can
the single tax. II viii nevertheless be q
source OF vast strength to him should be
be a candidate.
The single tax" continued Judge Ma
guire, will first be adopted as a means of
raising local revenue; that is. by munich
palities and counties. and then by the
States. My own idea is that to make the
single tax a means of raising a revenue
for the National Government We viii have
10 appOrti0n the necessary amount for
operating the Government among the sew
eral States according to population or 9th
erwise, and allow the States to raise the
sum by tax upon land values wholly ex-
elusive OF improvements, which IS the
whole theory Of the single tax. However
10 do this, radical amendments to the Con-
sutution are necessary, and we believe in
working steadily and by degrees
The system is to come eventually as
II Is the only logical method of taxation.
and single-taxers are content to allow the
movement 70 be gradual. Finally the idea
viii 50 inpTegnate the minds of the people
that the demand for it will be general
of course, the election Of Tom John
lus to the propaganda, and would have
wonderful effect in augnentiug the good
work Just now the advocates of Mr.
Georges theory of taxation have fixed
their hopes upon the State Of Colorado
Some time ago the Legislature OF that
State appointed a commission 10 investi-
gate the subject of taxation and enquire
into the operations of various methods of
taxation and to make a report. They
lookup the plan Of taxation in operation
in the colony of New Zealand which is in
part, the practice Of the single tax theo-
", and reported favOTabIy upon 1t The
Legislature now has before it a PROPOSE
ton for an amendment to the constitution
which viii doubtless be passed allowing
local option in matters of taxation; that
is, giving municipalities and the counties
of the State the right TO raise their local
revenues by means of a tax upon land
values exclusive of all improvements. We
believe that if such an amendment Is sub
mitted to the people L viii be adopted 1t
has not been made a party question. and
the landowners dare not make any organ
lied opposition to it, for the reason that
any such attempt would readily show the
weakness Of their position
With such a provision in the constitu-
ton of the State, it would only be neces-
SaTy to have the plan adopted Dy some
thriving. progressive town to illustrate its
operations. The result would be that
capital seeking investment in business en-
terpriSes would locate IN such town,
where Improvements would be exempt
from taxation. Land would no longer be
held for speculative increase II value but
would be easily obtaiGable for use The
development which would result in such a
town from this system of taxation would
soon force others 10 adopt it. until the
benefits OF the single tax would accrue to
all the State
."The fight in Washington has by no
means been abandoned, although the pro
posed amendment TO the constitution
which would enable communities to adopt
the single tax was defeated when submit
ted TO the people by q narrow ma iOrity
The advocates Of the reform hope TO he
able TO have another opportunity to vote
upon the proposition in the near future
Speaking Of the next Presidential cam
paiSn- Judge AaSuIre said that the trust
question would undoubtedly be one Of the
most prominent issues. He also thought
that the method of dealing with III iusII-
lar possessions would play a conspicuous
part in tho contest
The question Of the retention Of the
Phi!lpplnes seems 70 have been settled, -
SAID Judge MasuiTe- Affairs have now
progressed so far that it is impossible TO
let them go. and the longer they are held
the more difficult Il viii be to reIindJsish
them. The most OpportUne time TO give
them their independence. If we should
wish TO do so, is now. but the people have
decided against that course Again, a very
coHSlder@tfi portion OF the inhabitants OF
the islands have sworn allegiance to the
United States The lives of these people
and their property would be Insecure
should the element which faVOrs indie
pendence obtain control of affairs in the
islands.
While I an opposed to 4 colonial ssy-s-
tenn, and do not believe that we can main
tain republic here and an empire IN the
Far East, / do not see how We are ever
10 release the islands in the future. [ am
IN favor Of guaranteeing them all the
rights and privileges which are accorded
to the territories under the jurisdiction Of
hH nj IL
them the assurance Of Statehood when
they shall have reached that standard Of
capability which Congress shall eStab-
lish as essential for admission to the Tn
ion"
EMANUEL LAsKER's PLANS.