Salt Lake evening Democrat. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1885-1887, 1886-11-23
MASTERS OF THE SITUATION.

sale remedy against land monopoly. The
Israelites, having conquered the Canaan
ties, divided the land in small parcels
among themselves. To provide against |
the disposition OF civilized or half
civilized peoples to monopolize
land, it was provided that every
fiftieth year from the date OF distribu-
ton, the parcel Of land originally given
to Tom, Dick or Harry, the head OF
family, and sold or alienated by him or
his immediate successor, should revert
back to the original owner or his heirs.
SO that while difficulties might arise as
to the mode of distribution among such
heirs, the buyers or lessees OF the land
only obtained term lease, not an abso-
lutte title to the land
We know what evils press upon Great
Britain and measureably upon European
nations, as the result OF great landed
estates in few hands. And while in this
country large tracts of land, especially in
our western and southern sections are
held by individuals, land is still plentiful
and cheap for those who care TO own and
cultivate it.
Mr. Henry George is the author OF
new scheme, as Carlyle said OF evolution
"a gospel of dirt. He would check the
disposition to monopolize land by taxing
it 80 heavily that none but capitalist, a
man with money ut command, could
afford to own it. And yet in the process
OF evolution from the individual chrysalis
to the chrystalized party, which Mr..
Georges followers are advocating, the
means to be adopted remind one OF the
man who proposed to lift himself from
the ground by tugging at his boot straps.
Since the running of Mr.. George as
candidate for Mayor of New York City,
his friends, elated with the volume of the
vote for him, are slowly building plat
form for George party. First they in
sisted that land, without reference to
Improvements upon it, shall not only pay
all the legitimate expenses OF Govern
ment, but shall also do many other
things charitable and educational. Then
secondly, they demand that the Govern
ment shall own the railroad and tele
graph lines. As we presume they will
advocate the payment to private parties
of the cost OF these expensive lines, i
will be expected that the owners o
land will foot these bills also. Within a
few days third proposition has been
evolved by these platform builders, which
is in their own language as follows
fronts f{ us il 6Rr enSfhts "YGfSyhhssEee con OF!
secure leisure is the existence of an i'm
poverished mass forced by their necessitie
to accept work on any terms. Until we cal
lessen the intensity of that struggle for ex
istence which makes 30 many men ant
women ready to do anything to provide tn
mere necessities of life, the work of ou
labor associations must be conducted unde
tremendous disadvantages. Men who can
not find employment are everywhere tn
force which those who oppose us utilize Il
resist our Just demands. 1t is therefor,
necessary that we should make war upon tn
great wrong which causes poverty-the pri
mary injustice which makes the land OIL
which and from which we must all live th
exclusive property of individuals, and denie
to the rest of US the right to live and t.
work unless we pay blackmail for the privi
lege."
What do the theorists mean? Would
they kill the goose which is to lay thei
golden eggs OF governmental, educationa
and charitable support, by striking a
individual ownership OF land? And ye
they say at is therefore necessary thai
we should make war upon the great
wrong which causes poverty, the primar!
injustice which makes the land on which
and from which we must all live, tn,
exclusive property OF individuals, ant
denies to the rest OF us the right to live
and to work unless we pay blackmail fo
the privilege"
What is this but new version OF the
cutthroat's assertion that: property il
robberyW
What prevents the "rest OF us" whC
leave the land and voluntarily flock to
great cities, to accept the generous offel
of the government and take as a gift 16C
acres on the condition OF living on it a
least five years, or if they wish to settle
near home markets and great cities, land
improved more or less, can be purchase 4
dog cheap. In short, land can be had in
this country almost for the taking, but il
nine cases out of ten, these landess gen
tlemen would starve rather than work
their living off the land. They cry out
against competition in various depart
ments OF labor, but it is often the case
that those who cry loudest, labor the
least. The laws of supply and demand
govern, and in this country able-bodied,
industrious men OF good habits and
economical ways are masters of the situ-
alton.
GENERAL SHERIDAN's policy OF concen.