The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-12-23
TIE SINGLE T1X THEORY


1t is nearly twenty years since Henry
George came before the public OF the
United States as the author of the single
tax idea. Since that time it has been dis.
cussed in every part OF the world, aud
everywhere by the most distinguished
statesmen, publicists, professors and jour
nalists. Everywhere IL has friends aud
advocates, and in every class OF society,
from the humblost laboring men to the
! greatest thinkers The first effect of il
was great awakening on the tax qucs.
ton, and many Of the reforms In various
countries since the voice first came out OF
the wilderness Of California are due to lis
extreme and radical provisions. The sec
ond effect Of 1t was in many places TO be.
got repulsion aud opposition and On.
courage u more and more bitter
opposition as TO tho most extremely
radical suggestion OF the century.
Tho third and best effect, growing out Of
the second, WIS TO induce inquiry and
study and compel comparison. Tho re-
suit Is that today Henry George has thou.
sands OF followers where ten years ago he
had one, and the rising generation are
largely recruiting the ranks Of the single
tax Democracy. IL liz n rising tide. In
the District Of Columbia II has thou sands
Of advocates, and many Of the most useful
and ablcst OF the members Of Congress
profess TO see In II tho only solution OF the
land question, which, in this country, is
becoming as complicated rs Il is in Eng.
land. In Texas, where there are already
few land barons rivSliug ho-c who. In
Mexico. by their ownership Of whole dis.
lricis or counties, make the existence Of a
wholesome middle class impossible, even
IN Texas George can count on a very largo,
enthusiastic aud thoughtful following. In
Ireland, underline Gladstone aud Ashburion
purchase ACTS, there Is a steady movement
toward the States resumption OF owner
shipoi the land. The admission Of ihisright
Il the strength OF both those measures, and
they cannot fail To rccoil upon England
Scotland aud Wales aud produce nrt the
liberalization aud next the naturalization
Of land. The burdens Of taxation, as they
fall now with most crushing effect upon
the working classes, il moc aud moro dis.
posing men toward this theory. Ana the
accumulation Of mortgages TO corporations
or merchants from farmers aud planters il
gradually di.posing these casscs TO realize
tina, theirs Is vain Eight They can never
get oui Of the pool. Their hcadsarc always
under water Renting land from the State
ai RVcd valuation would not be ~ severe
a taN on their energies as the efforts they
nov have 10 make 10 meet the principal
and iniccs, Of a mortgage. In Massachu-
sclis. whore the conditions Of lie approx.
mate those 81 the crowded ccnlers Of Eu-
rope, they are discussing thissinglc tax idea
and tho theory Of the standardization Of land
with the good scusc aud elaboration that
Is usual la that part Of tho Union. Mr.
Edward Atkinson, the well known pub.
licis, and economist, opposed Il a, a recent
discussion In Boston aud yet begged the
whole question whom he admitted that
"thc great burden u the workIngman Is
/ tie indirect taxes that he knows nothing
Of" Bui no, only the workingman. but
the merchant aud the manufacturer have
TO complain, for taxes rolarl production
aud oppose progress. The idea Of pro.
icssional man. q mechanic, manufacturer
or a merchant paying q tax or license 10
earn a living is In free country, TO ay
the least, anomalous. Il does no, consist
aud Il j. especially TO he deprecated aud
opposed by linen oppolcdloproicclion or
any, oven the least restraint being imposed
ontraic. Thcsnglo tax would doaway with
all these inequalities aud absurlly ilog.
ical expressions aud by simplifying the
levy and collection Of taxes reach into all
ranks and conditions Tor quota commcn.
suiatc with The earnings ana opportunities
Of each class. but before L can become law,
iiit cycrdoc', agrcat revolution will have To
BE- accomplished arcyolulion that will rad.
ically uproot al existing conceptions aud
prcconccptions a. 10 ownership In land,
one tha, will reach 10 the ycry icndils
Of many hearts, just "a was ikc ease when
slavery was swept away aud with Il the
most ondearing associations between q
dominating md dependent race.
TnE Christian Temperance Union Of
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