Johnstown weekly Democrat. (Johnstown, Cambria County, Pa.) 1889-1916, 1889-09-27
N0ESCAPING TT
"All Who Live Pay Directly or
Indirectly Their Share OF
Rental Value"
now JOnNSTOWN WAS TAXED.

Speech of A. j. mOxham, ESQ., at the
Meeting OF the Henry George Cluf
Last Night-His Explanation of the
Single Tax Theory-The Present Method
OF Taxation Wrong in Itself and Lead.
lug to Greater Wrong.
Pursuant to circulars sent to the mem.
bers and notices in the papers, the Henry
George Club assembled in its rooms in
Blntlys building Monday night at 8p. M
The rooms were crowded every seat
being occupied, among other distinguished
persons present being Miss Clara Barton.
Acting President Eyre, upon calling the
club to order, stated that no meetings
were held since the flood because Of the
disturbed condition Of affairs; but now
since matters are getting into their former
state, it had been thought advisable to
resume the holding OF the weekly meet
ings. Mr.. A. ]. Moxham, the lecturer ofthe
evening, was then introduced. lie occu-
pied one hour in speaking on the broader
and more general principles of the Henry
George theory. AT the conclusion of the
lecture, Mr. Eyre stated that it vas custo-
mary to cross-examine the speaker by
propounding to him questions on points
concerning which there were doubt in the
minds of those present, The question,
"Upon what grounds do you deny the
right Of private ownership in land p was
asked, and in reply it was stated that 1t
always worked injustice to some one ;
that title to ownership in other things
than land originated in their be-
ing produced by somebody's labor,
but who made the land? Nobody
can add to.its amount, nor can anybody
make any less Of it, In response to ,he
question, How would the single tax
equalize the opportunities afforded by
land, and prevent a monopoly of the best
opportunities as at present?" MIR. Mox-
ham replied that it would do so in two
ways, by making it Improbable for any
one to hold more land than he could use
productivity, thus throwing all land not
actually in use open to labor, and by
making the holders of great natural op-
portuuities pay the community what
ever value that the community
by its presence gave to those opportun-
tiles. 1t was also asked whether the tax
ing of land as proposed, would make il
dearer, to which reply was made that II
would not, but the effect would be ia
cheaper land and render it possible fol
many who are now unable to use land
owing to its high price, to obtain access
to it, After few concluding remark:
the meeting adjourned.
The following is synopsis of Mr.
Moxham's remarks
Though nearly four months have passed sincC
the day OF cur soTOw, though the dreadful husl
that preceded the coming Of the wave crest ant
the deafenng crash Of It's presence are now par
of the past; its memory lives with US as an echt
and It's echo is sim vibrating in our midst, a
least enough 10 have somewhat changed us all
Perhaps we cannot quite be what we were unit
time has bided with US long enough to lay tn,
last small tremor or that echo In its grave O
forgetfulness
But the change need not harm us. 1t may d
many things but among others 1t may, If we 81
win It, make us brayer stronger, and perhaps
when all is over even happier, because bette
than we were before. For who is there to whom
In sorrow such a page Of Christlike love wal
ever opened before, who In this world that ha.
experienced such fun handed measure Of gentle
sympathy and tenderness.
It is no false pride that say our people showed
themselves worthy Of this help. For the nrs
gloomy day when we felt ourselves so far iron
the outside world, and perhaps cut OF from hell
for many weeks when we knew not who wal
living or who was dead, there was no crayer
yielding to despair Help came with rallroa.
speed, but quick as It was, when It did come f.
found Johustown at work, at least trying to hell
themselves When this grand chapter OF greg
nations help TO a stricken portion or its com,
munity IS closed, and the agurcrs and the facts
OF what has been done are given to the world
they viii be radiant with the story OF mankind
unselnshness.
AS VIC glance at the dollars and cents OF The
Hnal reports The heart, forgetting figures, vii
throb with gratitude at the memory Of men Ike
captain Jones, Of BrlddocS who almost per
suaded his own people TO starve a day OF so II
order to keep us from hnnger, and who, aftc
cutting his own place OF all Il had In the shap,
OF proyendcE. came down here with an army o.
men, completely self provided and was at worl
almost before we knew he was with US. OF mcl
like j. V. Patton, Of the Baltimore q OHIO RAN
road, who thought the place to help us mos
was here In the imdst Of our trouble, and who
sitting on an embankment OF his railroad track
In the pouring rain, with Just one little telc
graph Instrument to work with. sent one appca
after the other for help, and alternated thesC
Instructions to hls road that put every car a
work bringing In what willing hearts had do
mated. When we glance at the totals OF the re
ports and anayze results, big as they VIII be
somehow / think the mind won dwell on The
mere totals. 1t VIII wander TO the memory O
men and women again. Men like Pitcairn who
put the Pennsylvania Railroad system virtually
into the hands OF the Pittsburgh Relief CON
mittee Tor our good, and women Ike Cllu
Barton and her many aids, .who came and set
tied amongst us with her tents like whit.
winged angels OF elce, and who have been cyel
since quietly carrying the sympathy and hell
OF womans loving heart wherever they ear