The Colfax chronicle., 1891-11-07
SINGLE TAX DEPARTMENT.
THE RIGHT TO THE USE or THE
EARTH.
ny Herbert Spencer.

eloie Tor the earth to become the exclu,
slve possession of individuals bv some
{ process of equitable distribution.
why 1t may be asked, s'should not
men agree to a fair subdivision? If ali
are co-heirs, why may not the estate be
equally apportioned, and each be after
ward perfect master of his own share?''
To this question it may in the frst
place be replied that such division is
vetoed by the difficulty of fix
ing the value of respective tracts OF
land Variations in productiveness, diff
ferert degrees of accessibility, advan-
tagcs of climate, proximity to the CEN
ters of civilization--these, and 0>her
such considerations remove the ptob-
lem out of the sphere Of mere 1nensura-
ton into the region of impossibflitT
But, waving this. let us inquire who
are to be the allotecs. Shall adalt males
and all who have reached stwenty,one
on a specified day be the fortunate in
dividuals? II so, what is to be done
with those who come of age on to-mor-
row? Is it proposed that bach man,
woman and child shall have a section?
are to te born next year? And what
Will be the fate of those whose fathers
sell their estates and squander the pro-
ceeds? These portionless ones must
constitute class already described as
having no right to resting place on
earth--as living by the suffcrance of
their fellow men--as being practically
serfs. And the existence of such class
is wholly at variance with the law of
equal freedom.
Until, therefore, we can produce a
valid commission authorizing us to
make this distribution-until it. can be
proved that God has given one charter of
privileges to one generation and anoth-
er to the next-until we can demon
strate that men born after a certain
date are doomed to slavery, we must
consider that no such allotment Is per-
miy.ible.
y. Probably some will regard the diff
hcufties inseparable from individual
ownership of the soil, as caused by
pushing to excess doctrine applicable
only within rational limits. This is a
very favorite style of thinking with
some. There are people who hate any,
thing IN the shape of exact conclusions;
and these are of them. According TO
such the right is never in either 'ex-
treme, but always half way between
the extremes They are continually
erying to reconcile yes and no Ifs and
butts and excepts are their delight
They have. SO great a faith in .thc ju-
dicious mean" that they would scarcely
believe an oracle il it uttered a sull |
length principle. Were you to INQUIRE
OF them whether the earth turns on its
axis from cast to west or from west to
east, you might almost expect the re-
ply: "A little of both, (" or Not exact
~ either" 1t is doubtful whether they /
would assent to the. axiom that the
whole is greater than its part, without
some qualification. They have
a passion for compromises. To meet
their taste, truth must always be spiced |
with little error. They can not con-
ccive OF pure. definite, entire and un-
limited law. And hence. in discussions
like the present they are constantly
for limitations-always
wishing to abate. and modify, and mod
erate-ever protesting against doctrines
being pursued to their ultimate conse-
4uences.
But 1t behooves such to recollect that
ethicals truth IL as exact and rs per-
as physical truth; and that in
his matter of land tenure the verdict
If morality must be distinctly yea or
lay. Either men have right to make
he soil private property or they have
lot There is no medium. We must
choose one of the two positions. There
'an be no half-and-hal opinion. In the
nature of things the fact must be either
me way or the other.
If men have not such right, we are
It once delivered from the severe pre-
licaments already pointed out. If they
lave such right then is that right ab-
olutely sacred, not on any pretense to
'e violated. If they have such al
light then Is his grace Of Leeds
justified in warning of tourists
rom Ben Mac Duhi, the duke Of Atholl ,,
n closing Glen Tilt, the duke of Buc-
leugh in denying sites. to the Free
hurch and the duke of Sutherland in
the Highlanders to make
DOM for sheep walks II theyshave
uch right, then it would be proper
or the sole proprietor of any kingdom
"a Jersey or Guernsey, for example,
. impose just what regulations he
aight choose ON its inhabitants--to tell |,
hem that they shonld not live on his
roperty unless they professed certain
sligion, spoke C. particular language,
nd paid him specified reverence,
'lopted an authorized dress and con-
,rmed to all other conditions he might .
e fit to make II they have such a |.
ght then is there truth in that tenet
the ultra tory school, that the land
wners are the only legitimate rulers !,
country-that the people at large a
smain In it only by the land owners
ermission, and ought consequently to &