The Dallas weekly herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1885, 1883-09-20
HENRY GEORGE
Author" OF Progress and Poetry,
Sketched In Graphic style.
Description Of Ills Personelle--IIow he
Came 10 Write the Book.
An Editor, Author aa Gentleman

An Editor, Author au Gentleman
DALLAS, Sept. 14.-[Editor HERALD.l-II
Is seldom that work dealing with hard
social problems finds such an army Of read
ers among the great masses of people as
Progress and Poverty" by Henry George.
Its radicalism almost startled the country,
and its ultra theories have become the
theme OF widespread and increasing discus
sion. 1t is little strange that while the
book itself has aroused such furore. the
writer himself is almost unknown.
He seems to have succeeded In eluding the
interviewer of the press, and while halt his
readers are asking WHO is this Henry
George?" where did he come trom?"
probably few persons this side Of the Pa
cific coast, could give any information in
reply.
The writer of progress and Poverty" is
a California thinker, and it is safe to say
that most of his theories were formed and
elaborated during the long period which he
snent In San Francisco. Mr.. Henry George
or III arry George. without the prefix, as he
is commonly styled in San Francisco,
was born in New York. Migrating to Calf
.ornia in the goli.fever times he shared th6
usual ups and downs OF the early days. he
is now about torty-five years of age. His
radical racket" as his former friends on
The Coast style it, has only been public
property for about three years. During a
'arge part OF his life in California, jonrnal-
ism and politics occupied his attention al
most excessively. In San Francisco he
was known by. almost every
one. not as the great radical
thinker he is to-day, but as the editor OF
the Post, of that city, and also as one OF the
most active leaders OF the democracy in the
state. But the Post assumed republican
procliyities and George resigned. Then
followed period of some four or five
wears of seeming obscurity. In those day
On one of the quietest streets and against
one of the most modest of frame houses
MIGHT have been seen the sign: Henry
Georee-Inspector of Meters" while
George himself might have been found at
almost any hour OF the DAY or
night, seemingly loating about me princi-
Montgomery streets, or in those haunts
where the leaders of the local democracy
were wont most to congregate, apparently
doing nothing, but in reality very. busy.
The inspector OF meters period was, in fact,
with MIN, a season OF hard study and keen
observation. Progress and Poverty"
would probably have never been written
had Mr.. George continued at the head OF
the Post. or had he assumed the editorship
If anv of the dozen democratic dailies,
which ter the Tilden-H Hayes campaign
we're ALWAYS about to spring into life in
frisco. TIE proposed journals came not
into being, but the Keari'y agitation arose
and from the local land questions involved
in its issues, it is more than probable that
MIR. George first applied himself to those
studies which have led to his present start
ling general conclusions regarding owner
ship in the soil. Those OF his scquaint-
snres who have marked his great
strides in radicalism OF late,
can hardly help wondering that he did not
throw himself into the Kearny movement
and becsme its leader. The truth PROB
shlv was that George was feared by the
sand Lot party, and did not care himself to
sever his intimate relations with the demo.
crazy. So for four or five years he pursued
the even tenor of his quiet life, inspecting
meters, writing for the press, making
noltical speeches and delivering an &C.
casional lecture. 1t is curious tc
note that in his writings and speeches al
this time there was little mention OF the
social questions with which he now deals
40 radically. His political speeches were
like those of the average democratic cam
paien speaker. There was no monopoly
talk. When he lectured he took for BIZ
subject the Hebrew Moses or some topic
equally removed from modern questions
He was, in fact, posing through a period 0
incubation. and Progress and Poverty
was the result. When n
came before the world some three or four
wears ago in his Mt W chara cter OF a radical, ~
iefl the Golden state and has since spen
much time studying the land and labo
questions, in Europe. Those who know
The man will rot be surprised II he wer
vet to play an important part in nationa
politics. A.,
"Progress and Poverty" is not striking. d.
ia an understood man with reddish hal
and heard, HIS features are small; eye
hIua and face rather void OF positive ex
oression. From his general appearance on
wonId he ant 10 SET him down as rather
neutral. commonplace sort OF o person.. i
requires, however, but q few minutes tal
! with him TO convince one TIA
he is a man of great int llsctual fore
AS q matter Oh iacs
is a fo-cible sort of person In every way
They tell a good story OF him in San Fran
CLEO in reference TO the notorious Laura u
Fair, the murderess of Crittenden. Thi
woman, shortly after her acqulttal on IN
ground of insanity, became perfect terro
10 the newspaper Offices OF Tho city. II
those DAYS the editor of a live paper in Sa
Francisco expected more or less rough an
tumb BILE work from pugnacous visitors !
his sanctum, but there was no glory !
ejectipg woman IRON
office or using force OF az
kind to one of the gentler sex. Mrs
| Fair was well known to be as ready TO llgh
as 10 eht. and when she came sailing int
anedltor's room freighted with pop-gu
and a grievance the average moulder
public opinion felt like retraoting wllhou
parley. In due course che got around I
The Post and called on Mr.. George, VIII
was then in charge. The lar murufes
stated her grievance and re-
from Mr.. George. Closing. be
tale sof woe with the Virrinius-like re
mark, There is no way but this, sh
slippsd her taper fingers into the dress
nosket. where she carried her trusty revo
yer. Ladies don't thrust their hands int
their pockets as easily as men 40. In
operation requires some care with them
Otherwise something may rip or hecom
disarranged. Mrs. Fair was quite diiieien
from the rest Of her sex in most natter
but she had their weakness regarding To
pocket. As she put her hand down she II
Voluntarily looked toward II. The look wa
the merest glance. but when she agar
turned her angry eyes toward the edito
she found herself covered with the biggei
kind of apistol in the hand 81 the 81
placid George. st won't do here, MT
ia J" be quietly remarked; don't tax
your hand out OF thst pocketh you please.
She obeyed and left the Office withor
making any further exhibition OF the irrl
oressibie homicidal mania Of which tWelt
GOOD men and true bad declared her 10
possessed.
Among his friends and acquaintance
Mr., George Is exceedingly popular. n
has few enemies, and those who dislike hil
are generally afraid Of him. In priTa'
! life be has the reputation cf being a pun
an upright and courteous gentleman
The Rev. George II. Thayer, OF BourDo
Ind. saws: Both myself and vile oN
oH- lives 70 ehfloh's Consumption Cure.
Sold BY w. H Patterson Co. druggist