The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-02-18

ated everything. Production consisted only in
changing not in creating In the matter or
production there were two necessary elements
labor, the active factor, and natural facilities.
All of the latter could be embraced IN the term
land. Without land labor was helpless; with 1t,
it could bring forth all that it was possible for
man to produce
He then declared that there was no deartk OF
land in this country; il was a great continents.
sufficient to support many hundreds of millions
OF people. There was vast area OF sufiaco
hardly yet scratched. If, under these circum-
stances. men were lying idle who wanted 10
work labor was in some way being denied ac
cess TO the land. One needed but open his eyes
to see the abundant natural opportunities ror the
employment Of labor, but wherever LABOR
sought to avail itself of natural opportunities 1t
found the dog in the manger there ahead OF IL.
Speculation had been there and had shut on
from them their natural opportunities, IN oroer
that il might reap where it had not sown
He spoke at length Of the ''moropoiX OF
natural opportunities If man IN Nav YORK
wished to buy lot which to bui.d he had to
pay premium above the general value OF the
land of from $1,000 TO 800, 900.
He advocated the abolition of rents, aud thus
remove the incentive to monopoly. Land had
no value until there was demand for its use
The premium on land should be paid to the
whole community The man whose land was
the most valuable would pay the largest pre-
MUM to the community. The present taxes
were injudicious. Whatever man could pro-
duce his. and it ought to be.
The present taxation took away from men
for common needs taxation on that element
which belonged equally TO us all; but why I'M
pose fine upon man for increasing the
worlds wealth. The man who owned an I'M
proved lot taxed more heavily than the
speculator who owned the vacant lot adjoining
him. He deprecated the evils arising in many
places from the purely speculative value of land
where the land became valuable merely in view
of the probability of future settlement.
Before concluding his address he gave several
minutes to answering questions from his
auditors There were some pertinent, and others
not. One old gentleman Indignantly inquired
what he (Mr George) was going to do with all
particular for them, and Mr.. George responded
that he was going to abolish them" which
created applause
l conclus ion Mr.. George said: ar think
should congratulate ourselves the present
aspect OF public affairs. The coming presiden-
tial election will turn upon the great economic
question at issue between the protective system
and free trade. | see in that greater hope of
educating the American people on these eco
omic questions, and Ii a few months time, than
we could otherwise do In years. Ultimately 1t
is no difference to the workingman whether there
is protective tariff or no tariff To abolish the
tariff would make times better and wages higher,
but it would only be temporary. Eventually
the same law which now enables the individual
to control the earth would permit HIM TO do
under free raade. Ours is task of abolition
The standard has been raised against the fraud
and robbery OF a protective tariff Those who
have been half hearted tariff reformers will
become free-traders. Then, in time, they will
the end for which we must work. and write. and
talk"
Mr. Browns Lecture or Patrick Henry.
The weekly lecture yesterday afternoon at
Plymouth Church was delivered by Mr.. Hilton
u. Brown. An audience of thousand or more
listened with attention to his graphic description
of the life of Patrick Henry. He described his
boyhood, education and entrance into the prac-
tce of the law, and the active interest he mani
tested in the cause of the colonsts. eliminating
in his wonderful speech in behalf of colonial
liberty. Tnen he related the part Henry
took in the great contest for liberty
and his Governor Of Virginia. He
more particularly described Henry's action at
the time of the struggle over the adoption of
the Constitution. Henry opposed to many
of the provisions of the Constitution. but when
rather than remain under the provisions of
such Constitution, Henry's voice raised In
behalf of the Constitution. After the COnstitu-
ton was adopted. Henry stood by IT, being in
fuenced somewhat, perhaps. by Washington's
i'm portunitieS.
The lecture on next Friday afternoon will be
by Governor Porter Subject, Benjamin
Franklin"
DR.. Fletcher Tells His War Experiences.
Dr. Fletcher's lecture at Mayfower Church.
last evening, well attended. and he deeply
interested his audience. The lecture was deliv-
cred in a conversational style. 1.-The Sketches
of the War" which was his theme. consisted of
his own experiences scout and prisoner,
aud the wonder grew, as he went on with th
narrative of his adventures and narrow escapes,
that he is alive to tell the story.
graphic and amusing description was
given Of the incidents Of the first
arrival of volunteers at Indianapolis after the
fall of Fort Sumter The Doctor among
the first to enlist, and accompanied General
Morris to West Virginia, and was afterwards on
General Reynolds staff Until his capture he
was employed in che perilous business of scout.
He considered a spy by the enemy, and
barely escaped being shot as such. His prison
experiences at Huntersville and Richmond were
very thrilling.