Los Angeles herald., 1893-01-02
THE SINGLE TAX HIS CREED,
Hamlin Garland Lectures on
Several Reforms.
His Ideas as to Socialists and
Anarchists.
Henry Georges Theory Accepted and
Practiced by Him-An Ohio Town
where 1t Is Practiced-His
Lecture Yesterday.

pearance before Los Angeles audience
Yesterday. As lecturer he is an un-
qualified success, though there are some
who claim that his work is crude. Be
that as it may, there is certain amount
of magnetism about him, which.
coupled with his unquestioned sincerity,
draws his audiences to him.
At the Illinois hall yesterday he de-
livered lecture on economic principles
that impressed his hearers with its
force and logic. 1t may not be gener-
ally known to the residents OF this city,
but it is a fact, nevertheless, that Mr..
Garland is an enthusiastic exponent OF
the doctrine of single tax. The speaker
asserted that 10 years ago he became
convert to the movement, and for the
past six years had expounded its prln-
| ciples from the platform. Nor was this
ali. He declared his intention to con-
! tinue the work with unabated
zeal, Time would demonstrate
that he and the disciples OF
Henry George had taken the proper
view of the situation, and then weuid
ensue the great rush OF the multitude
to enroll itself under the banner OF SIN
gle tax advocates. :.
MT. ddrlduu ClcdIIy uOhASN euo Ni'
tinction between the Socialists and An
archiste. 1t was the general idea that
Socialists and Anarchists were one and
the same, whereas the Socialists or
Revolutionary Communists professed
belief in collective ownership and con-
troll. while Anarchists believed in the
abolition of constraining governments.
Az differing from the Nationalists Mr..
Garland said that the fundamental prin-
cinle in developing the single tax plat
form was public ownership of public
property; private ownership OF private
property, and that all men are born
with precisely the same rights to all
things. They further carried their be-
lief, according to the speaker, 10 point
, advocating the abolition OF taxes resting
upon industry, and the levying upon the
site values of lands.
Aa an instance. OF the efficiency of this
, nolicv the speaker referred to the pres
emit condition of Hyatsville, o., which,
, some time ago, adopted the movement.
Rv taxation OF tue land at its cite
value and the freedom from taxation on
= improvements the spectators in land
Q in that locality had been forced to one
Of two alternatives; the sale or the I'M
nroyement of it. The SPECTATORS were
nm in arms at once and carried the mat
ter into the courts, bnt they were de.
s feated. and property that hitherto had
heen devoid of improvement was now IA
t a high state of cultivation, its owners
8 forming prosperous and happy COM
3 munity. -,
Henry George was paid high com.
pliment by the speaker, who deplored
h sideration by the people 81 the paccifHft cfHf
t coast to which he was justly entitled.
Q Nor was Herbert Spencer forgotten
g For the stand he had taken in his advo
4 cacy of eqnal rights to all, the speake,
paid glowing tribute, and concluded
0 his eulogy with the statement that il
J, with his declining years he had at any
q time fsltered in upholding his convic.
i. tions on this score it was attributable to
|. advancing age, and not to loss OF con-
viction as to the correctness Of his
g theory.
Q Up to this point in his discourse Mr..
g Garland had not made any marked i'm
It preston upon his audience, and be at
: once extended the field of operation by
8 taking in the Peoples party principles.
e From this time on he had his listeners,
= heart and soul. 1t was distinctively an
Q assemblage OF Populists that applauded
q his remarks.
Mr.. Garland spoke of bis connection
9 with the third party and expressed ad-
l. mration for its principles. After giving
q in outline some of its clauses he said
"They must adhere to all their prom
ises, and maintain the stand they have
taken, for as soon they fail to carry
out their programme l leave the party.
. You understand that equal rights toall
and special privileges to none means
9 that no corporate body shall encroach
u upon the rights of others, and SO on
g through the whole category"
i In illustrating the force of the single
. tax theory Mr.. Garland said: Sup.
inhabited; that three was nc
!, difference in the natural at.
A tractiveness of one spot over
q another. Here comes man who looks
n over the ground and selects spot to
settle upon. In time another appears,
s and seeing no difference in the land
9 takes up claim beside that OF his
IL neighbor, for the sake of convenience.
3 "Gradually the country is settled and
: in its settlement there must necessarily
!, be center. That center, all else being
3 equal, ia the most advantageous point OF
u the settlement. 1t is just the place for
blacksmith shop, say. 1t is certainly
g a more desirable location for business
of any kind than site at the extreme
II ends. Thus it is that this property is
) the most valuable, and it should be
taxed-not the improvements upon it.
Q The above is but one of many argu-
Q ments advanced by the lecturer, every
8 one of which he treated in mastery
a manner. He has of late become a
9 prophet in a mild way, and during his
lecture he predicted the ultimate sue
cess of the 'single TAKERS"
The spectators he denounced in a
}, bold and fearless manner. showing con-
. clusively that they did not give employ
! ment, for the reason that they did not
4 improve property. They merely held it
for the purpose OF speculation.
The existence of tenements and fats
i received spirited rebuke, and after an
!" admonition to his auditors to weigh
carefully the problems presented, Mr..
= Garland finished his lecture.