The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1891-03-04
SINGLE TAX DEPARTMENT.
MAYOR sARGENT's MESSAGE.

One of the most remarkable inaugural
addresses ever made by the mayor OF
city was that of Hon. Joseph b. Sar-
gent, who, on January /, was sworn in
to office as mayor of New Haven, CT.
Mr.. Sargent is a well-known manufac-
turer and a student of political economy
who has advanced views on social ques-
tions, and he evidently has the courage
of his opinions. The first part of the
message relates to the improvements
necessary to New Haven's growth and
prosperity. He recommends the owner
ship by the municipality of gas, water
and other works and the street carlines, |
and the establishment of new public |
parks and public comforts and conven-
fences.
The message closes with a discussion |
of the relations of labor and capital, and
a aat-footed declaration for the single
tax in the following words:
Capital is absolutely necessary to the
civilized employment of labor
None of the operations of business,
manufactures, building or farming can
be carried on successfully without the
friendly union of the three elements.
Labor without capital is the labor of
the crude barbarian working without
tools.
"a country with no capital, but with
labor and directors of labor Tor chiefs,
is in a savage stage. A country with all
three of the elements tremendously
united is civilized, enlightened and pros
porous. Civilization can not exist with
out capital.
No civilized community would for a
moment think of taxing labor nor man
aging ability. No intelligent commu-
nifty would attempt to tax either of
those two elements of all successful In
dustry and business for fear of driving
them away. Why should civilized So
ciety punish successful industry by tax
| ing the results of it? Why should civil
lied society punish capital, the savings
from successful labor, and try to Danish
it and leave labor unemployed?
Capital is timid and flies away on
the first approach, or apprehension Of
danger. 1T worketh where it listeth
and we know not whenceit cometh nor
whittier it goeth.' 1t surely will not re-
main when in danger, nor will it work
in any community except ut market
4 prices over and aEuve all charges and
| risks.
sit seems to me that it would be for
the benefit of all labor and all enter
prise in the city of New Haven and
would greatly increase its growth in
business, population and capital, if cap
ital were as free OF taxation as is labor
and as is managing ability. If such
were the permanent policy OF New Ha-
ven, capital would make its home here
and work at lower rate with labor,
securely free from punishment for
coming here and feeling safe in abid-
ing here. Neither labor nor en-
terprise is taxed, nor should capital be
taxed.
Land as our forefathers found it, is
not capital. 1t was not created by the
labor of the hand or head of man. Ma
lures God gave it to humanity and to
the animals without price. 1t should
supply funds for all needs of govern
ment, and the rate of taxation on the
land in the various localities should be
in proportion to market price. 1t can
not be concealed and all owners can be
served with exact justice. No encour-
agemcnt should be given. through low
taxation, for the holding of land out OF
use in order to compel the land-needy
to pay profits to the early possessor.
sin the taxation of land only. for all
necessary public revenues, the distribu'
ton of the tax over the whole commu.
nifty would be equitable and in proper
tion as natures God intended.
Capital may be driven away and
labor paralyzed by the taxing of CAPT
tai, but the land can not be driven
away. The owner can annually o,
monthly recover from the user or renter
the tax he has paid on lands used or oc
cupied, but the tax on lands not in use
hut held waiting till the increase il
population compels its purchase at al
expensive price, can not be recoupcd by
distribution over the people in the form
Of rents or otherwise. The owner o
unprotitably used or vacant lands
would thus be tempted to sell for occu
pancy or use, and thus poor men nigh
get homes and the city would grow il
: consequence.
at is claimed by students on the sub
!, iect of taxation that the taxation o
capital and all other personal propert.
is unequal and unjust to the conscien
tious and truthful, because only the fe,
give true statements Of their persona
wealth. One of the commissioners G
taxes in New York has recently test
fed, under oath, that the taxation {
= personal property is almost an entir
failure; that it leads to efforts and yer
= strenuous efforts on the part of cap
:, :. talists TALL owners of personal propert
are capitalists) to remove their propert
. beyond the jurisdiction OF the city ar
State. 1t offers no encouragement Il
capital to come here; that the law, ;
y construed by the courts, enables al
= one who chooses to SO dispose OF h
y personal property that the tax depa,
ment can not reach it. Those who u
Y derstand the law and can take adva
!. tage of it, do SO in a majority OF case
J. Those who are ignorant of the law al
~ do not understand their rights p
- taxes The foregoing testimony W
- given concerning the present tax La
: of New York which were made for
express purpose of increasing a
equalizing the taxes on capital or 9th
list personal property, but resulting,