The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-06-11
WILL THE EN0LISH LAND LAWS BE
REFORMEDp

hEFOhmEDF
The prostraton of trade and manufac-
lures In the British Islands. eliminating as 1t
has in grave social discomfort and disturbance,
has diverted attention from another sinister
feature Of the present crisis. We refer to the
depression OF agriculture. which threatens
English farmers with ruin. and for which
decisive and prompt remedy Is called for on all
hands. For months tho periodical and daily
press Of London has teemed with discussions
Of the subject. but we find the causes Of tho
mischief and the means Of cure most efrective-
" stated l'y Prof. THoRoLD RoGERs in the cur
rent number OF the Contemporary Rerietc.
1t is said that farmers are always Rrumbling.
but In this instance the grounds OF their COM
plant are unmstakable. Prof Rogers tells us
that farms aro being thrown up on all sides. and
that this proves upon inquiry to be as true OF
land untrammeed by onerous scrvitydes. rs
of holdings where the practice of game pre-
serving is strictly carried out. Nor can tenants
as a rule, be induced to push any further "a
losing business by moderate concessions, such
as Attachments Of rent. varying from IS to 5 per
cent. Those best acquainted with the condition
Of the English farmer afflrm that his capital Is
nearly exhausted. and that his spirit is well
nigh gone. He has come too close to ruin and
IL too keenly alive TO the gravity Of his predica-
ment to be- encouraged by temporary rems-
sons Of rent. or any ordinary p6llatives in tho
shape Of n waiver Of game privilege. The
remedy. IL is maintained. must strike far deep
err must reyolutonize tho land laws. aud 20 10
the root OF tho institution OF real property In
! Great Britain. What the farmer must have
| henccforward. according to Prof. Rogers is
such tenure Of his holding as shall secure
| him from capricious eviction and an unfair
appreciation Of rent. and shall stimulate him to
| hfub farming NV aIppnata IN for all
! improvements made by his own capital. 1t will
be found that these guarantees involve serious
entertainments upon the principle OF individual
ownership imbedded In the common law of Eng
| land. and for that reason we regard with pecul-
lar interest the views put forth by Professor
OF Political Economy in oxford University.
1t is a significant fact that the oxford thinker
discusses this subject in very much the same
temper as the so-called Professor Socialists Of
Germany Like the present occupant OF tho
| political economy chair at Berlin Mr.. Rogers
insists that the first kind Of property recognized
| by human societies is that Of the products Of
labor. while the very last to be acknowledged is
| tina full ownership Of land. He points out that
in England itself less than n century and half
has passed since the custom which made a
| tenants assent indispensable to a landlords
| conveyance was wholly done away. He re-
minds Ms that no society over has or ever can
admit the right Of property in land to be as COM
! plote and extensive rs the ownership over
movable goods. He affrms squarely and
| boldly that the possession OF land is always
proper compensation being made to the owner
| -resumabe ut the discretion and at the inter-
csts Of the community. He holds that at the
core Of the social compact toorating individual
property In land lies the implied covenant to
| use IL for the well being Of the commonwealth
that such ownership is n trust and that under
certain conditions the duty Of exactinz its full
nlmcnt must override the most sacred tradi-
tons Of the past and the most cherished senti-
menis Of the present
Considering their source. these opinions are
sufficiently striking; and scarcely less note
worthy is the answer returned 60 the familiar
argument lately endorsed by tho Duke Of
argyll. Tbs former said tho Duke. in his
re"e Mt defence Of the existing system. il a per-
! fsctlY free agent he can take the land or leave
| It alone. Mt pleasure; nobody forces him 10 be-
come tenant To this or that man. Mr. Rogers
rejoins that the policy OF English law permit
ting the accumulation Of land in few hands.
and hndering its natural distribution. puts
direct but artificial power into the discretion
| Of the owner. He goes ON to show that the
farmer is by no means free to follow other call
| ings. for the reason that no occupation Is so
| hereditary as that OF agriculture. nor does any
other so generally disable the person brought
up 10 II from engaging in other pursuits. 1t
would be us reasonable. he thinks. to maintain
that the price sometimes exacted 10y monop0-
lists from the starving deniZcns OF a bcsieged
| town was II free contract value. But waving
this point. it Is certain that the moment the
tract is entered on the tenant is IN position Of
! disadvantage. aggravated in the ratio of the in
dustry and vigor with which he applies his ski
toward inducing on the land the greatest pos
sible fertility. High farming is the only kind
Of cultivation that can be profitable in England
yet under existing laws the appliances OF high
| farming are ruinous 10 the cutivator. Where
such a state of things obtains. the peremutory
voice Of the community will declare, sooner or
later, in Prof. Rogers's opinion. that the owner
ship Of private property in land must be modi-
fed or suspended.
That this change should be made promptly and
peacefully. rather than tardily and idely. is we
are told, the capital concern of tho British land
owners. Some legislation which snail accord
10 tenants the fullest measure OF compensation
and security is absolutely necessary in order 10
save the capital " the English farmer from cN-
| Junction, ana the art OF agriculture from arrest
or decline. such a measure. in the Judgment
| OF the oxford Professor. should bo forthwith
deems the present condition Of things 10 fore
| shadow u national calaM lty OF uneXAmpled mag
| nitude and menace.
SHERMdN'S GRINITE CONTACTS.