The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1891-12-16

favor of tax on land values only, and
regarded it as the only scientific method
of taxation. It would have tho effect
of discouraging speculation in land,
which is the bane of American ciyiliza-
ton,
George Gourlay, of Gourlay Brothers,
haberdashers, said that the single tax
was the wisest, simplest and only just
method of taxation The present sys.
tenn of land tenure was Q bare.faced
robbery of the masses. when" he
continued, 1.-THE trEth dawns on a
majority of the people of this country.
then will come the greatest revolution
in our social and economical structure
since matter sprang out of chaos 1t
will be the dawn of a new christianity,
such as Christ taught. but which never
could be realized under economic con-
ditions of the past.
James II. Donaldson, merchant tailor
and owner of about $1,000 in real
estate, said that his reason for believ-
ing in the single tax theory was that
its adoption would benefit humanity
and wrong no class. It would increase
the production of every article of hui
man consumption, and would give Ia
Dor and capital its due reward without
paying toll to land owners. The pres.
ent system discourages enterprise and
places penalty on improvement.
Henry Rooster, of Kennedy & Koes.
ter jewelers., owner of SO, 900 in real
estate, said he believed in single tax
because it was just tax. He thought
it would receive the support of all busi-
ness men except those who are large
land owners
Edwin Jerome, furniture dealer and
owner of $40, 600 in real estate, did not
know of any reason why every man
should not believe in the single tax. It
would, he said, be an eminently fair
system. and infinitely better than the
present mode, which virtually fines
real estate owners for improving their
property.
Henry c. Weber, hardware dealer
and owner of $2o,0O0 in real estate,
said: Land is improved and enhanc-
ed by labor, which, of course, in.
cludes manufactures, mercantile bust
ness and commerce AS labor alone
gives values to land, it is only just and
proper that labor should receive back
what it gives. ] am, therefore, are
servedly in favor of taxation on land
values alone, and l believe that taxa
ton of improvements or any other de-
scription of personal property op
presses both capital and labor"
T. B. Rayl, hardware dealer, said h,
believed in the single tax as the only
equitable manner of paying the ex-
penses of government.
DR.. VIM. Lockhart owner Of $4,000
in real estate. said he was an advocate
of the single tax idea, and believed that
it's adoption would bring about state
of affairs that would be OF great bene-
| fit to all classes of men and would in
jure none
In it's editorial columns the News
drew attention to these remarkable in
terviews with we'll known Detroit
business men, who for various reasons
express their preference for that sys-
tenn of taxation known as the single
tax on land values" and it welcomed
them ITO the ranks of that rapidly
forming class who are now paying some
attention to economic questions, and
who are thereby becoming better citi.
zens and less likely to be led by the
noses by party leaders. In conclud
ing it's editorial 1t stated the problem
thus:
The theory of the single tax advocates
is very simple. They believe that what.
ever is necessary to be done should b.
paid for from those values created BY
the community as whole This II
land value,