Weekly Trinity journal., 1877-12-15
LAND MONOPOLY.

cratic fold, being one of the few of that
faith who followed the lead of Governor
Booth, in organizing the Independent
movement, and we will give Creed credit
for sincerity from the fact that he did not
return to Democracy as soon as the Re
pubicans We're di>organzed, but remain.
ed an Independent and as such was elect
cd a Senator from Sacramento county
over both Republican and Democratic
nominees.
But Mr.. Raymond, while sincere
enough in his convictions, has some wild
ideas which it is well enough to give
quietu to. One Of these ideas was made
manifest few days since, in the form Of
solution and preamble upon the sub
ject Of land reform, matter which has
drawn public attention lately to a consid-
cradle extent. We do not deny but there
is good opening for reform in the mat
ter Of holding large tracts of land. Gen
orally speaking the large land holders
appear to have shaped legislation to suit
their own ends, and of course have escap-
ed their due proportion oftaxaton. Large
tracts of land were purchased through the
aid of dummies" )" at the low price asked
by government, and held for an advance
in price. In many cases these large bo
dies of land were assessed at very low
rates-somctime less than government
g., II Ga, l.,t Ii
100 acres and set at work to make home.
His land and improvements were put
down at FIVE or six times the proportional
value of bis richer neighbOr. 1t looked
as though a premium was paid for sloth,
while industry was taxed to pay it. We
never could see why there should be any
difference in the assessed value OF land,
when it was possessed Of the same pro-
ducing capacity. 1t looked as though if
any distinction was to be made, it should
be the other way. But the truth is as we
have stated, tho large proprietors escaped
the burden which was thrown upon their
less wealthy neighbors. II is not TO be
supposed that this course would long be
submitted TO without murmur, and in
the desire to find remedy for it, a portion
of the community has been led TO cherish
agrarian sentiments. Some go so far as
to advance the theory that large tracts of
land should be condemned by the exer-
else OF eminent domain, and sold out to
actual settlers at fair valuation, while
Others propose to graduate the taxes on
land and thus compel the large holders to
sell. 1t would be very desirable it, in
stead Of one man owning thirty or forty
thousand acres Of rich agricultural lands,
each quarter section was owned by an
actual settler, for where men own their
homes they are better citizens than if
they have no interest in the soil. But
what is to be guarded against is the i'm
possibility of being exactly just TO every
class. Mr. lIaymond's resolution was
prospective in its proposed action. twas
to affect future, rather than the present
generation, for it would prevent the land
owners from .disposing of more than
thousand acres to any one person by will,
consequently iupon his death his estate
would, perlorce, have to be cut up into
small tracts.
If the Senate had been sharp, it would
have referred the preamble and resolution
to its judiciary committee without debate,
and strangled it there. But the honora-
bic Senators walked right into the trap
Raymond set for them. The resolution
was no sooner fairly before the Sena to
than it was attacked by halfdozen Dem
ocratic Senators and denounced in no
measured terms. After the discussion
had proceeded 10 some length the d iscoV-
cry was made that the language Of the
preamble was a paIt Of the Democratic
platform, and it acted like wet blanket
upon some Of the debaters. Lewis, who
had been Chairman Of the committee on
platform in the Democratic State Convcn-
tion, intimatcd that the resolution had
been smuggled in, after the platform was
reported. The matter is Of little conse-
quence except as it shows just how much
sincerity is to be attached to Democratic
professions. The grand old party is ready
to resolve" for or against anything that
promises to catch it Il vote or two, but
when the time comes to carry their pro-
fesslOns into practice it becomes quite
another matter. The only true remedy
for 'he evil Of land monopoly is for the
Legislature and the cour ty officials acting
under the laws to deal justly with the
people and see that the large property
holders are taxed in proportion to their
wealth. 1t is notorious that the poorer
man happens to be the greater is his rela-
tive proportion oftaXes. We have seen
that IN too many instances right here at
home, and human nature is pretty much
the same everywhere. The man who
owns little garden, a COW or two, and
his necessary household furniture gives it
in to the Assessor at something near its
true value, but the owner OF property that
he can dispose Of for ten thousand dollars
~ ,J ~ SNS' piOPOi, Hioh"ScS ny soIno
means to evade paying on half or two
thirds OF his possessions. Compel men to
pay on their land alike when the produc-
ing capacity is equal, and they will be
glad to either make it pay its way or sell
it to some one who will. The Consttu-
tional Convention will have this land and
revenue question TO deal with and it is
well that all such matters should be dis
cussed in advance. In this view of the
matter the resolution of Senator Raymond
was timely one, although it has only so
far succeeded in demonstrating that the
/ tIInn C,1 Il -. 7, .,