The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1892-07-29

purchasing the required household
goods. Their chief aim is at some
future day be able to own their home.
By industry and the very strictest econ.
omy they have $500 saved when he
becomes 30 years of age. He begins to
think of buying building lot and
takes many stroll through the town to
see where he can buy one to suit his
means. Mr.. Holdhard owns desir-
able let which he will sell to the right
party, provided the purchaser builds
house to correspond with others in the
same locality, to say nothing of the
other numerous provisions, and he
assures him that he is comforting a
special favor upon him by letting him
have it for $500. Mr. Plumber talks
the matter over with his wife and they
arrive at the conclusion that a neat,
modest house to meet the requirements
would cost 81 900 more, so they would
have to assume debt of $1,000. The
many contingencies that are likely to
arise before such debt is discharged
are carefully considered, and they dare
not assume the risk and conclude to
wait and raise $500 more when they
figure there would be a far better
chance for Them to succeed in the ven
ture. By good luck and the very
strictest economy the other $500 is
saved and bis bank book now calls for
$1,000. Mr.. Holdhsrd still owns the
lots. During the five years other lots
have been built upon in the same
locality, the town has increased from
5000 to 5000, but Mr.. Plumber and
his wife still desire to own the same lot
and he goes to the house Of Mr.. Hold
hard with the intention of buying it.
With his ST 900 he feels far more
tuoyant than before, although he is
five years older; he steps with light
foot and merry heart, but when he is
told by Mr.. Holdhard that the lot is
now worth $1,000; that the town is
growing fast; that lots are booming !;
that he has other lots that he will sell
for $500 but they are back and long
distance from his work, Mr.. Plummer's
heart gets as heavy as the lead he
daily handles, for with their savings
tor the past five years he is just as far
from his object as at first. He and his
wife came to the conclusion that their
J only chance to secure the lot was to pay
the price and assume debt of $1,000
for a house. Now we ask. for who
have they deprived themselves of many
, necessities, comforts and pleasures
during the FIVE or more years in order
, to get the lot? Certainly not for their
> own benefit but solely for the benefit Of
Mr.. Ho.dhard, who did not do single
r thing to increase its vslue, but had he
' been taxed for the full rental value he
] would have been forced to sell it to MIR.
e Plumber at reasonable price. The
e increased value which the lot acquired
. through the growth. enterprise and
o thrift of The community Justly belonged
e to the community that created it. But
r the evils Of the present system of taxa
e ton do not end here. After Mr.
e Plumber had built his house the LOT
!, was rated as improved property and
s both house and lot were assessed at u
t per cent of their value while other lots
in the same locality owned by Mr.
e Holdhard were rated as unimprovcd
b and were only assessed at 40 per cent
:, Thus the present unjust system fur
r nighes those who add their mite tc
e improve the towns in which they live
t and rewards the land Spectator 70,
e Withholding land out of use, and aids
. him to exort the last dollar out of the
, peoples dire s-MATTHEw
u KIRscH, Sing Sing, N. Y, in Progress
e slue Farmer.