St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1886-11-16
ur~pv cEoReE ,s PARTY.

In reply to a correspondent, who wishes
information through the GLOBE concerning
the object of the HENRY GEORGE move
ment and why it is that the new party lays
claim to the title of Progressive Democ-
racy." we refer to the declaration OF prln-
ciples adopted by the mass convention OF
GEORGES supporters. held III cooper
Union hall in New York Immediately after
the last mayoralty election in that city.
The platform there adopted was written oy
Mr.. GEORGE, and is supposed to emoody
the distinctive issues upon which ne seeks
to create a new party, 1t declares that the
earth belongs in usufruct to the living, ana
that one generation cannot grant away the
equal rights of succeeding generations 10
its use. Holding that all that is produced
BIZ labor, whether by hand OF head De-
longs to the producer, and should be secured
to him. the GEORGE platform proposes
to abolish all taxation upon building i'm
movements. and other things of human
production, and that all revenues for the
purposes of common necessity ana ben
eft shall be provided for by a tax
on the valuation of land. In eX-
planation of this doctrine the platform
goes on to declare that it proposes to make
it improbable for mOnOpOlies to hold lands
mines. forests or city lots which they are
not putting to use, and by this means to
throw open to citizens who wish to make
themselves homes and employ their labor in
producing wealth 1.-THE opportunity which
our common Father has provided Tor His
children" in addition to its peculiar land
feature, the GEORGE platform declares war
on that system which hands over public
works to corporate control. and proposes to
place the railroads and telegraphs under
government control. To quote its own
language. the GEORGE platform ''alms at tile
abolition of ali laws which give to any
class of citizens advantages. either judicial,
financial, industrial or practical, that are
not equally shared by all Others" One
striking PECULIARLY of the GEORGE platform
is that it expresses belief in the father
hood of God" which is a recognition OF
Divinity that is not found in other political
platforms.
Why the new party thakes the name of
Progressive Democracy" is not explained
in the platform, nor is there any apparent
reason fol- it outside of the platform. Since
the platform itself declares that both the
national Republican and Democratic par
ties have become corrupt machines in
the hands of arstocrats and spOilsmen. 1t is
a little singular that the new party should
have taken the name Of either with an ap-
pended title signifying that 1t was making
more progress in that direction than either
of the old parties. If it had assumed the
name of Reformed Democracy" or Re
generated Republicanism" it would have
been more significant of the purposes de-
clared in the platform. The only claim that
Mr.. GEORGE can legitimatey assert to the
title of Democracy is that he asserts he Is
building his party on the foundations Which
THOMAS JEFFERSON laid. in respect to the
peculiar tenets of the party regarding land
taxation.
1t is not worth while to attempt denial
of the fact that the new party is formid-
able political organization. 1t starts OH
with an active. earnest membership OF
half million voters. 1t has orainy lead
ership. 1t has at the outset the advantage
Of q compact organization anu IndcnIde
discipline which no other political party
mas ever enjoyed. And yet it is safe 10
assert that its first days will be its
best. Its full strength will be
developed early, All that it can
do as distinct political organization will
have to be accomplished within the next
few years. The probabilities are that its
numerical strength will not be increased
after the next presidential election. But it
will be strong enough to complicate matters
very much at that election. BY exerting its
organized strength in various localities Ii
will make itself felt in the future legislation
Of the country. But when it comes down.
if it ever reaches that point, to square
fight on Mr.. GEORGES peculiar land propo-
sition, his party will go TO the wall.