The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-04-20
Developers vs. Spectators,

Editor Morning NelUs; All property has
a certain specific value, o real market value,
| worth just 80 much and no more. Then we
have property which may be called specu-
lative-growinR, developing property. 1t
grows in value with the growth of popula-
| ton, situation and general surroundings.
We see that every day. and many grow
rich, not from any business talent they may
have, but from the fortuitous circumstance
| Of owning property which came by inner
| itance, force OF circumstances, or a kind
Of blind luck which turned out to be a fort
une made without thought or deliberate cal
| culation. Luck is that which comes to one
without a mental thought on the subject,
like the finding Of thing without looking
for it. Thus TO illustrate: A man buys a
| farm to raise wheat, corn, etc. In sinking
| a well he comes upon vein of gold, and
| finds that he has really bought a gold mine,
and fortune comes to him.
That was simply luck. Again,
| a man buys land by the hundred or thou
sands Of acres in an unsettled county or
state, and says: 81 am buying on specula-
ton, for in the course of time population
| will come this way and land viii rise in
value" No luck there, pure, simple calou>
lation on his part But it so turns out that
railroad is built through his land, and in
time depot is built, aud then q town grows
up and the Speculation sells town lots instead
OF acres as he anticipated. There is luck,
for he did not buy with the expectation or
intention Of selling town lots. He makes
fortune without an effort.
hold, as a political economist, that
spectators should be taxed TO the full value
of the land, lots or sites they may own in
state, county, or city, as the case may be.
"A Spectator retards growth, development
and improvement. That was made mani
fest in days past by large plantations of
from 5000 to 10000 acres Of
land held by large planters. So in city,
so everywhere. Speculation retards owth
and such being the case should be made to
pay tax on the full value of all land, lots and
sites so held.
draw two pictures: One man puts
money in vacant lots and SITES He holds it.
Holds it because he desires TO speculate. He
does not spend l cent to improve it. He does
not do the city a cents worth of good. He
retards growth because he will not take the
market price the land or lots will bring.
Returns the land and lots at the very lowest
price. yet he knows that the land or lots are
growing daily more valuable. He will not
put price on the land or lots, when if he
did he could sell instanter, or hold them at
such figures as TO forbid buying. The in
crease IN value of the land or lots does not
depend on him, but Others on that which hs
knows must and will come. What is he! A
mere speculative drone who grows rich upon
the work of Others. Is he entitled to any
consideration at the hands Of the state,
county or city? Not one bit. His lands,
lots and sites should be fairly assessed
yearly, and he made to pay full, fair and
just tax on the same.
The other picture: A man buysa piece
of land, or lot or site, and builds upon il.
He puts up house or store worth from
5000 to $40, 900 or more in value. He pays
fair and full tax on that property. He
develops the state. county or city Just SO
much. He is a worker, a developer OF
wealth, aud Is blessing to the community
to that extent. He risks his capital and
he gives employment to workingmen,
houses to live in, and property that has
value that can be taxed at a fair price. He
cannot give in So 900 house at 81 900; he
cannot say it is nothing but bare lot and
is bringing me no income; he cannot de-
fraud the state county or city by any such
talk, but the speculator can, aud does, and
deserves no consideration. The point is
clear to any one who knowsanything about
political economy.
But, says the Spectator: would you
have me to sell my land, lots, sites when
such property is growing daily Ia valueg'
We answer yes, when one comes to you and
says: II want that land for Immediate cul-
tivation; want that lot to build upon, and
1 am willing to give you to-day, not five
lot" But has the Spectator no rightss
Yes, rights to speculate, but not to retard
the growth of a county or city, and he has
the great right to have fair and full assess
ment upon his property and to pay tax on
the same.
This foolish notion that a man can do
what be pleases with his own is all a mis-
take; it is wild sort of democracy hurtful
in every way. Government means law;
citizenship means duties; wealth means
taxation, a fair, just and equitable taxation.
The idea that parents can do as they please
with their children is all a mistake. The
child belongs to the state, to be made good
citizen or punished If he violates law. The
child is only a loan to the parents to be de-
veloped into good citizenship, not vaga-
bondage criminals, drunkards or doxies
What about the vacant lots in Savannah,
which are being held for New York prices.
as to value? When will the spectators who
hold them be willing to sell so that the city
can have more houses, more homes, more
people and more familiesl The question is
with our city fathers. K, M. o.