Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-05-04
Mr.. W. A. CrOffut's Debate with the
Anti.POverty Society.

AnttsfOSerty society,"
The announcement OF a socratic debate between
Mr.. VIM A. CrofYut and the entire Anti Poverty
society attracted a large audience to Grand Army
Hall last night. President Brown In calling the
meeting to order said: "In our wisdom-perhaps
our fgnorance-we have considered 1t advisable TO
accept challenge to debate the principles ON
which this society Is founded, with one who, as a
newspaper man and a student OF economic ques-
lions, Is well known" He announced that
Senator Palmer had consented to preside
over the debate. The millionaire lumber.
man at once took the platform and
said that there were two reasons for thanking the
society for the honor-nrst, because they had
made hin promise, and he never broke promise,
and. second, because IL gave him chance to listen
This question" he continued 81 regard as one OF
the most important before the American people.
think that some OF Prof. Georges premises are In
correct, ana that some OF his conclusions are IL
logical, but must say that the book Is very Sc
ductive believe that the solution OF the question
lies In the middle ground between radicalism and
conservatism"
Mr.. CRoFFUT's PLATFORM.
He then introduced Mr.. Croffut, who, In his ten
minutes OF Introduction, presented his platform Of
thirteen planks In a clear, candid, frank manner.
Among other things, he held that the rich are not
becoming richer nor the poor poorer: that the
world Is better on to-day than ever before, and
the condition OF men Will improve in proportion to
their skill and work; that the confscatiOn OF land
kinds OF cheap labor Is good thing for the coun-
try; that the wealthiest men in this country own
practically no land at ALL and the law taxing only
land would enrich them still more; and that the
established system OF the competition OF individ-
uals results from the evolution OF the race, and Is
benevolent and the best conceivable system. He
called attention 10 diagram that hung on the
wall, which, he claimed, show ed that four hours
OF labor to-day will buy as much as eight hours In
1850.
THE SoCRATIC DEBATE.
Mr.. Bowen announced that The committee
leeted by the society, MessrsL Burbage and Adams
and himself, had prepared certain questions which
would be read Mr.. Burbage opened fire by saying
that he would try 10 lead Mr.. Croffdt along line
should reach point on which they could
not agree, and then IL would be proper to dis
cover the reason for the difference OF opinion.
He started at the basis of economic
argument, the tariff, and Mr.. Crofut acknowledged
that he believed in free trade. As he proceeded
his questions became longer and more involved,
until Mr. Crofrut remarked II wish there were not
SO much argument In the stomach or these QueS-
lions" Mr. BurDage asked, us 1t officially or NOR
ally hight Tor Government TO grant exclusive
rights 10 persons 10 trader" mo" "Would you
grant a perpetual patent to the inventor OF new
OF economic terms, under which Mr. CrOfrut stood
up oravely, now Affirming, now denying and some
times qualifying.
HOLDING LAND FOR RISE.
He claimed that IL was legitimate and economi-
caly proper for land owners TO allow their property
crease OF price. The gain which they realize at
some future time is the premium that society pays
10 the man who risks his wealth. and the loss that
comes Is the penalty.
suppose that ali land were left vacant, where
would your taxes come FROM" asked Mr.. Burbage.
suppose all the men and women on earth were
engaged In baking bread, where would the taxes
coIne from them" retorted Mr.. Cronut In his con-
prevention OF Henry Georges assertion that there
IS not land enough, he said that all the people Of
the world could stand on Long Island. and that all
OF the Inhabitants OF this country could march In
the streets OF Washington together
Mr. BowENs QUESTIONS
Mr.. Bowen then took up the cudgel and, going
upon the answers OF Mr.. CrofIut, given 10 Mr.
Burbages questions as basis, he endeavored TO
narrow the debate down TO the direct principles
in contention. Taking up Mr.. Croffut's position
on the tariff he found out that he believed In q
tariff for revenue only as an expedient to raise
money. He had already said that he objected to
tariff because 1T raised the cost OF the necessities
OF life. "Then." asked Mr.. Bowen, ''why not de-
wise way that Will raise the taxes and not inter-
fere with labor"
THAT would be very WELL" was the reply, ..but
should coEtne the taxes TO street-car companies
and to gas companies, and TO other such monopo-
lies"
''ls not the exclusive ownership of land a fran
chlse, and as such monopoly?' was the quick
retort.
'.No,r came the prompt reply.
Mr.. Bowen succeeded once or twice In getting
Mr. Crofrut down on his knees, through some
quick turn OF questioning, but even In this posture
Mr.. Bowen's antagonist still fought valiantly
qualifying his answers with skill and fOrethOught
that was remarkable
WARN DEBATE.
The colloQuy between Mr.. Adams and Mr. Croffut
produced several tissues" which were left unde-
cded, the debate becoming at times to be so warm
as TO call forth remOnstrance from the Senator
At half-past 10 both sides had agreed to disagree
on certain fundamental principles and the debate
was closed. The thanks OF the society were given
TO senator Palmer and 10 Mr. Croffut, and the lat
ter was invited to take up the weapons at Some
time with The positions reversed. President
Brown announced that at next Thursdays meet
ing Mr.. ChaS. Newbery Will address the society on
Malthusianism. The society then adjourned.