Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1890-11-21
Henry George on the Conference.

Henry George on the Conference.
The Standards:
The impression made upon the public
mind by the conference of single tax
men held in this city last week is indi-
Gated in the reports and comments of
tho daily press.
But even to those of us who have
known the movement from the begin
ming and who, being at the center, as it
were, have been most fully appraised OF
its wonderful spread and of the zeal and
devotion it is arousing, this gathering
was a revelation of strength.
But the difficulties of bringing togeth-
err men from all parts of so wide coun-
try at such large personal expense, in a
gathering involving no business interest
or pecuniary return, and having no Of
fees to nominate for, no political pro-
gramme to make, no honors to bestow,
have all along seemed to me so great that
| have been timid about national con-
ference, and whenever it has been propos-
ed have favored putting it off. This con-
ference owes nothing to my exertion or
influence. 1t is the work, in my absence,
of more sanguine men, and its great sue.
cess has amply indicated their judg.
ment and faith.
The effect of this gathering upon the
single tax movement in the United
States can not fail to be most important
and most happy. Confident as we may
have been before. we are all moro con-
fident now. The bringing together Of
so many earnest and intelligent men
from all parts Of the country has given
them knowledge of each other, and a
faith and pride in each other, which
inspire new hope and fresh zeal. And
while it has shown us that the move
ment was even stronger than we mag
ined, the conference has given to the
general public clearer idea of our pur-
pose, and a moro intelligent comprehen-
sion of the progress our principles arc
making.
One of the indications of this is in the
numerous press comments which assume
that we have abandoned our original G X.
travagances and have become more rea-
sonable. The truth is that we stand
precisely where our feet were first
planted. The change is in public opin-
ion. What then seemed extravagani
now seems more reasonable, because II
has become familiar and is better un-
derstood. And just as our work of edu
cation progresses, so will our princiSes
appear more and more reasonable II
those who at first most bitterly opposed
them. But so long as men face right
we need not, to use Mr.. Garrisons sim
lie, quarrel with their impression
that the points of the compass hav,
changed.
There arc now 942 submarine cables
exclusive of the seven Atlantic cables
with an aggregate of 112,740 nautica
miles. The overland telegraph is al
ready a worldwide institution, in which
there is total of 1850, 900 miles OF wir,
enough of the attenuated metal to Y,
around the equatorial belt of tho glob
just thirty times. The United States
has 776, 500 miles of wire, and in 1888
had no less than SC, 900, 900 message
travelling the country. France has 22O,
$50 miles of wire, on which in 1889 wer,
transmitted 80 O5o, 900 dispatches. Grea
Britain has hung up $50, 900 miles o
metal line, and in 1889 sent so, 600, 90
messages on their silent fiight.-Age o
Steel