The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-05-06
THE sINaLE.TAx MOVEMENT.
A Comprehensive Statement OF the Gal
Nfnhn IA, It-NnhnA IL L.

A Comprehensive Statement OF the Gain
Made BY It--what 1t Is.
From the Youths Companion.
We hear much nowadays OF the ''slngle-
tax" agitation. There is 'singlc.tax"
league, which has a considerable member
ship throughout the country; public meet
ings in the interest of the ''single-tax" are
held, and several newspapers and many
books advocating the ''single.tax" are
published or have been published. What
is this "single.tax?"
II is, in brief, proposition TO abolish
all taxation except that upon land or the
value OF land. II does not propose that
even buildings shall be taxed, but that all
the taxation OF the nation, the State and
the municipality shall be laid upon the
land alone, exactly in the same measure,
whether il be built upon or vacant, but in
proportion TO tho value which Il possesses
from nearnoss to the centcrs OF population
or business.
The "singlc.tax" theory Is based upon
the doctrine that the land riVhtiully be-
longs to all the people. Tina, the exclusive
possession OF land by individuals is not
right, and that the separate ownership OF
land might be merged into a sort OF joint
stock ownership OF the public without in
justice, was first suggested, in England, by
the social philosopher, Herbert Spencer.
The doctrine received u much fuller state
ment In this country nj the hands Of Mr.
Henry George In book called Progress
and Poverty" first published in 1870. Mr.
George Is accounted the founder OF the
- la nal
front Of the agitation.
Mr. George and his followers maintain
that, under the present system oi private
ownership OF land, the burden Of poverty
resting upon the mass of mankind grows
heavier ~ the world makes mrorial pro.
grcss; that In spite Of the increase la the
worlds productive power, wages always
tend 10 minimum which will give hut a
bare living. They hold that private own.
crship Of land, with the privilege OF hold.
ing IL for speculative purposes and OF fore
ing up rents rs population aud industry
advance, has the elect 10 put u monopoy
OF natural opportunities into the hands OF
the land ownerA The natural opporiuni-
ties being thus monopolizcl, labOrcrs are
compelled 10 compete with each other 10
such an extent ~ to force wages down to
the lowest possible point.
As they hold that wages Of III clarscs Of
laborers depend upon The productive cul.
tiyalion OF the soil. Mr. iieonre and his
followers maintain that the true remedy
for poverty Is 10 make the land common
property.
They do not, however, propos, TO dis
turb the occupants Of land 10 long NJ the
occupants make full use of their land. They
Propose, on The contrary, to allow the
"a.
aud sell aud bcqucath H. bat they do
propose 10 take all the rent by taxation.
TO do this would make the occupant OF
the land tenant paying rent 10 the state
The proposition, which was first known
under the nnmc Of 'lnnd naturalization,
has since. 10y the common consent of its
advocates, become known ~ the ''riugic
tax" movement, the efforts oi its friends
having been directed mprc specifically 10
the abolition Of MI other iorns Ut taxation.
They hold tia. the removal OF taxation
from industries In general would stimu.
late manufactures and business, NJ the
same time that II destroyed speculation In
land. 10 such an extent that the general
prosperity would be- Immensely Increased
aud wages greatly raised.
They hold that the revenue from the
single tax would be ~ large rs 20 enable
the Government 30 maintain schools and
colleges, build aud operate railroads and
iclegraphs, aud do many things Vhigh Il
DOES not now engage Ia.
Their plan, alsn. % course, being Q
''singlc taN," involves the abolition OF
tariff upon imports. The single tax"
men are absolute free traders.
The agitation for the single tax. - or
agains; private ownership Of land, is by No
means confined 10 the United States. Il