New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1879-12-05
PROGRESS AND POVERTY. BY HENRY GEORGE.
svo. PIP 5l2. san Francisco.

res of that sO-caed science--are here submitted 10
fresh examination by courageous thnker.whO though
familiar learning OF the books follows the con
illusions of reasoning rather than the instructions
OF eminent teachers His argument leads 10 the result
properly land Is Incompatible with the
development of the highest civilization. He does not
however advocate any rash violent changes in the
present tenure OF real estate He adoption Of
system OF taxation founded exclusively on he owner
ship OF land which shall diminish the present Unequal
tiles OF property alleviate the evils OF existing
civilization. and introduce higher order OF social cu
tnr~ character and happiness. In arriving at tins
result the author from the principle that the
land is the exclusive OF the productiveness Of
labor Man. he Insists has power Of creation II the
whole human race were To- labor forever IL could not
create the tiniest mote that floats in the sunbeam IL
could not make the globe which we dwell one atom
heavier atom lighter. I'm producing wealth, labor
can the natural forces for the OF
matter desirable forms The land is the mine which
furnishes the ore hand of labor. Scarcity Of
employment n every occupation arises from labor being
denied access the land But not because the land
il all IN that 1t cannot be applied 20 the purposes Of
labor within a few miles OF san Francisco, the author
anirfys there Is unused land enough to give employ
Ineni directly or Indirectly TO every who wants
IT, Labor u prevented from employment the
land because the land Is monOpolzed and held
at speculative prices What is true OF san
Francisco doubtless of other places. Pur-
suing thus OF thought, the author concludes
the pressure OF population against subsistence that the
cause il be sought OF the unequal development Of
modern civilization and the great inequality in dis
Irritation of wealth. but In the universal fact OF private
property IN land The possession Of land the base
astocracy foundation OF great fortunes the
of soc nal and political power. Tue true remedy. IN the
opinion author Is the substitution OF the common
land for individual ownership This change
nigh. brought about 10y ab0shng all private titles,
declaring m laDd public property and letting 1t out 10
the highest bidder such conditions would guard
the private right improvements. But this formal con-
fscation not with his views aud he pro
poses what he deems simpler. easier and quieter
method, and less disturbing 10 CUSTOM and
yaihng convictions lie does plate either the
purchase the cOnhscaiion OF private property TIE
first he arms would he UNJUST the second needless The
change il be effected by change IN the modes OF
taxation, which should be levied the land To
the full amount of the rent and In way The
effect Of tins w0Gldee TO equalze tue distrbu
lion of wealth. 80 raise the the abcc
poverty which destroys all interest In pablo affairs and
nj the same tune TO cut the oyergrOwn fortunes
which place their p0ssessors above all IN gov
ernmer The dangerous classes politically the author
remarks are the very rich and the very poor. II is
the taxes a man pays that give him stake In the
country put the consciousness thatshe Is an integral
part OF the community. Tho general thesis which the
author discusses at length -of detail ana with
ample illustrations. the present social arrangements
and habits OF thought, may he regarded merely an
exercise OF elaborate ingenuity, purely spec
the qo....on recently awakened the interest Of