The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-04-24
THE LAND TAX QUESTION IN
ENGLAND.

In South Germany the land question Is
beginningto be aeitated on much the same
lines as in Ireland, and in England Henry
George is revoutonizing all political par
ties by the advocacy OF his single tax idea.
In Birmingham, where he had great re-
cepton. the way was prepared for him by
the circulation OF circular in which il
was declared that
Tho richest men are those who do not labor and
never did labor. And, by private ownership Of
land their wealth IL secured In such mannerthat
II desconds from generation TO generation and goes
on constantly increasing without any exertion on
their part. Were Hey 10 atep for hundred yedrs.
hcy icouid trdko M more 'oCohhy than otcr; and II
they did wake, they would wake only 10 encum-
Der the industry Of the country.
The true aud the only true theory Of a nation. Is
that the soil belongs TO II In perpetulty, and can
never be alenated from It. and that he who win
give the greatest rent for the soil shall become n
State tenant, paying the rent 10 the nation for the
benefit OF the whole community When our social
system IA based upon this just foundation, then,
but not Till then, win labor reap It's natural re-
ward.
Everywhere In the three Kingdoms
these are among tho growing convictions,
even with the great middle class, which
embraces tho tradesmen, manufacturers,
bankers and the professional classes, and
this is the result Of n grasping and grind
ing landlordism which there represents
very small minority Of the population,
which has grown immensely rich by
expressing the other classes, and in the
cities especially by the evasion OF taxes.
Prof. Stuart, OF Cambridge University;
DR.. Clark. Of Carthness, and Mr.. Angus
Sutherland, OF sutherlandshirc, all Mem
bers Of Parliament, and many members OF
County Councils, were among Mr.. Georges
supporters, and the great preacher, DIR. Par
ker, Endorsed him in an able sermon
and several Congregational churches in
London were opened to him in which TO
address audiences usually as large as they
could hold. Mr.. George has spoken al
most every day and is programmed for
every day until June TO speak in the large
manufacturing cities Of England and Scot
land, which he has not yet visited. About
the middle of June he is TO speak in Paris,
where he is assured Of an immense mass
Of anxious converts. lie is thus in great
request everywhere and the land tax
question bids fair to sweep over Europe
and change the whole face OF things.
The abuses Of the tax power In London
aud others Of tho cities OF Great Britain
brought out by Georges presence, and us
a result Of the agitation Of the question Of
taxes has amazed even some Of the Tory
landlord class, and more than one OF them
has admitted that a reform is needed oven
more sweeping than the new county gov
ornmonts are proving TO DO as a
measure Of scli-goyernment. And be-
sides this, leading politicians on the
Liberal side freely express the opinion
that at the next general election tho
single.tax doctrine will have to be taken
up by them in order 10 achieve sue
Soss. In the meantime the various land
acts now being enforced In Ireland arc
educating tho people to the belief that
anything in the direction Of land reform is
within the power Of the government and
the reach Of the people.