Waterbury evening Democrat., 1888-02-01
THE CATHOLIC PRIVATE.
CARDINAL GIBBONS LETTER TO TIE
 FATAL SECRETARY,
Advising That Distinguished Statesman Not to Censure Henry Georges Land Theory-Only P1agiarism-Cardinal Manning a Good Authority to Consult.

Theory-Only Plagiarism-Cardinal
 Manning a Good Authority to Consult.
 ROME, Feb. 1.-The following is the origi- nal text of Cardinal Gibbons letter to Car dinal Smeoni about the works of Henry George, which has been kept secret, although garbled and incorrect statements about it have been published. The letter begins thus:
 ''YouR EMINENCE: have already had the honor of presenting my views on social ques- tions which agitate America, end especially in relation to the Knights of Labor. But lately another form of social discussion has developed attaching to the doctrines of Henry George an American author identified with the working classes. Since my arrival at Rome 1 have heard discussed the question whether those works should find a place ln the index. After meditation upon the sub- ject think it my duty to submit to your emi- nence the reasons which demonstrated to me why a formal condemnation of Henry Georges works would be inopportlme and useless"
 ,.,l,iinal Gibbons then proceeds to say that MT Gr>rge is not the originator of his theory concerning the ownership and control of real property. He charges that in ''Progress and Poverty" Mir. George cites 'rrecisely" the teachings of Herbert Spencer and John Stuart Mill. The cardinal also quotes from an arti- cle in The Contemporary Review of Novem- Der, lSSG, a charge that MT. George ''is only a piagiarist from those celebrated authors, and it seems to me-" continues the cardinal, ''that the world would adjudge it a little sin gular if the holy see should attack the work of an humble American workingman, instead of it's masters"
 TEe cardinal adds with some naivete, land if any ono thinks it the duty of the holy see to pronounce judgment upon Messrs. Spencer and Mill it might be prudent, before such ad- jl,iication to take the opinions of Cardinals Manning and Newman as to the policy of such action.'
 Next reference is made to differentiations between Steecanella's work on communion, published by the propaganda press ill 1882, and Mir. Georges writings.
 Any who reads the latter observes that the author does not teach nor wishes to teach all abolition of all private property and placing it under state care. MT. George, on the contrary, maintains that individual prop erty is absolute over all the fruits of a mans energy and industry. It is only as to the pos session of land that he wishes to limit indi- vidual property by an extension of the supre- mum dominion of government One can perceive, therefore, that practically the con. troversy presents itself to the American pub lie as simple question touching the power of U land.
 ''Regarding this power wish to here note that whoever has studied the relation of the state to the ownership of land, as the subject is treated by Steccannella and other Catholic writers, as it is regulated by laws of taxa. tion aud tho support of the poor in many countries-and especially in England-cannot fail to comprehend that this is very compli- Cated question, and governed by differing circumstances of time and place, and never fit to Ee resolved by percmtory sentence.
 ''The whole question is before thu Ameri can public political problem, and in al arena so practical it will soon find solution Mr. George himself recognizes how only legis lative power can accomplish his disposition o these affairs It seems certain, however, tha never will q congress or legislature be found which will vote so profound change in so cia relations, nor a president who will ap prove of it in country like the United - StGtcS. witch is not one for doctrinnaires anC visonari;s. No speculative theory can becom, dangerous nor survive very long after any practical j., >Iic ,tion of it has been rejected If let ;,,one it would in all certainty die O. itself.
 '.Certain recent events having an intimat, connection with this very question have ere ate,l very profound impression in the United States, It appears evident, then, even if i were adv ::2,!,.c to condemn the doctrines, tn present ti.lc could not be properly chosen fo that puipo>r. I feel certain, moreover, tha condemnation of the works of MT. Georg might give them popular importance, an' arouse curiosity that would sell them b. thousands of copies, and immensely sprea the influences which the condemnation sough to restrain.
 ''The American people, l repeat, are $ practical, and that in their genie all bizarr ideas and impracticable suggestions so 500 find a tomb that it appears to me prudenc should suggest we let the absurdities die natural death, and that we should not incu the risk of giving to these life importanc and an artificial force by the intervention C the church tr bll, a1S '