The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1890-05-23
How Johns Father Saw The Light.
BY W. c. WOOD, MD.


"Father," said John Gray, ~ have
an idea that Henry George is right"
If John had declared himself con-
vert to Mormonism, and announced his
intention to take half dozen wives, he
could hardly have created greater
sensation. Mr.. Gray set down his cof-
fee cup untasted, and fairly gasped.
Mrs. Gray looked grieved and Johns
little sister, seeing by the old folks ex.
preston that John had said something
very dreadful, puckered up her mouth
for cry,
$50 you want to have me divide up
my land, that I brought and p aid for,
with. a-a-with Jem here, for in
stance" said the farmer, finally, looking
toward the hired man as be spoke.
This Interpretation of the united
labor platform seemed rather to COM
mend itself to Jem, whose face wrinkled
into broad smile; but the smile died
away as John explained that that was
by no means what Henry George pro-
posed. GAIL he wants." said John, sis
to put all taxes upon land values"
ooh that's all, is it!' said Mr..
Gray, sarcastically. "Nothing more,
eh? Don't want my land oh, no.
Wouldn't touch it with ten foot pole
give me two or three more farms
beg me to take them, and ship 'em by
express with a present in every lot !;
throw in a gas stove, tin horn and a
chrome, suppose. All he wants is to
put all the taxes on the land, is it?
Well, you are fool"
John seized the opportunity while
his father was taking breath to explain
that all improvements would be ex-
empted.
"Don't see how that would better
matters" said his father. "There'd
be just as much money wanted, and the
rate would rise, of course"
John admitted that the rate per cent
would be raised until it equaled the
rental value of the bare land.
This was as red rag to bull, and
John received rather profuse explana-
of his fathers opinion of socialists,
communists and fools, with a gentle
intimation that John was of the latter
persuasion.
John waited till the old man ran
down, and then ventured the statement
that the rate couldn't be over four per
cent, because any quantity OF money
could be hired for that on absolute
security, no tax aud long time; gov
eminent bonds, for instance.
This raised another storm, but Mr..
Gray finally admitted that four per
cent would take the full rental value.
"Now,' said John, shat would lower
the farmers taxes"
The farmer and the hired man stared
at him in silence, while his mother
ventured the query. "How?"
"Wby, don't you see," said John,
"the farmer thinks he is big land
owner, because he owns hundred
acres, maybe. So he is, by area; but
he is not much of a one by value. By
value be is very little of land owner
and good deal of capitalist and
laborer. Why, there are men in the
city who own an acre of land, vacant
and idle, that would sell for the value
of fifty or sixty farms, improvements
and all.
'You pay more rent every year than
the rental value of your farm amounts
to. Every bushel of grain you sell,
every bit of merchandise you buy, must
pass through the cities, the centers Of
exchange, and. resting for a while in
storehouse, wholesale store or mill, is
taxed to pay its rent. You have to
sell your grain for less, and you must
pay more for what you buy, in order
that the dealers in the city may get
enough larger profit with which to pay
their rents. Take off the value of the
improvements on your farm and the
land value that is left, if turned into
money and invested at four per cent,
would not yield sum equal to one
fifteenth of your annual income from
this farm. In other words, you are
fourteen times as much laborer and
capitalist as you are land holder.
"The holder of city lot worth fifty
times as much as your whole farm, can
hold on to his lot, waiting for rise in
value, which is sure to come, and he
can tax your products to provide the
money for his rent, and laugh in his