New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-04-09

its value can be readily ascertained. and the as
sessment once made. nothing but receiver is ~
Ana under all fiscal systems some part Of the
public revenues collected from taxes on land ana
the machinery for that purpose already exists and
could well be made to collect all as part. Sne
taxes might be entirely saved by substituting the
tax on land values for all other taxes -
A tax on land values does not add to prices, ana
Is thus paid directly by the persons on whom Y
falls; whereas all taxes upon things OF unfxed
quantity increase prices and in the course OF ex,
change shifted from seller 70 bnyer increasing sn
the tax tax thus ultimately falls must only
the amount OF the tax. but also profit on this
profit on the capital he has advanced in paying nas
taxes is much required by each dealer as proht
the capital he has advanced In paying for GOODS
But land is not a thing OF human production.
and taxes upon rent cannot cheek suppy
to pay It gives them no power to obtain more
TO reduce the supply Of land on the contrary by
compelling those who hold land on specuiatoh 70
values tends TO Increase the competition between
owners. and thus to reduce the price OF land.
AS TO CERTAINTY.
Certainty is an unimportant element in taxation
for just the collection OF tax depends upon the
diligence and faithfulness Of the collectors and the
public spirit and honesty OF those who are TO pay
It will opportunities for tyranny and corruption be
opened the side: and for evasions ard trauas
the cost Taxes which lack the element OF certainty
tell most fearfuy upon morals our revenue aa ~
corruption Of public officials. TO suppress honesty
and encourage fraud. TO set premium upon per-
he dsa Of o law from the idea Of Justice This is
their true character. and they succeed admraDy;,
Of iaxaGn tha hs
Sssd Of payd A. Ms EfT he sbt OF
in that State proposed substitute for most OF the
sx on eaGs on the
rental value Of the premises he occupied % INV
arbitrary assessment The tax on land yasues s.
bfobac, no OILS
be assessed and collected with dehniteness that
partakes Of the inmovahle and unc9nceaiaole enar
placed upon land values irrespective OF improve
mments the scheme OF taxation would be so simple
and clear. and public attention would be so Al:
rected to IT, that the valuation OF .aaa,on that
real-estate agent can determine the price seier
can get for a lot.
AS TO EQUALITY
Adam Smiths canon Is that the subjects Of
every State ought contribute toward the sup
port OF the Government nearly as possible In
proportion their respective abilities that 49, IN
proportion to the revenue which they respectively
enjoy under the protection Of the State" Every tax,
he goes on to say. which falls only upon rent. or
| only upon wages only upon interest. Is neces-
sary unequal In accordance with this Is the COM
mon idea which our systems OF taxing everything
vainy attempt 10 carry out-that every one SHOULD
P payto taSs fS his III P nS6p% 10 MS means
Brt waving all the iRSmPe rare dne according
70 his means. IT Is evident that justice cannot be
Herr for one ere hay men Of eqn ay n:
| other having - support but hlnlsrh. Upon
| these two men indirect taxes fall very unequaly'
as the one cannot avoid the taxes on the 1000 cot-
| ing etc consumed BY his family. while the otner
| need nav only upon the necessarfes consumed oy
himself But supposing taxes levied Directly, so
that each paws the same amount Still there Is IN
| tustice The income OF the is charged with the
support OF six. eight or ten persons; the income Oh
| the other with that OF but a single person .
| Nature gives to labor: and to labor alone. Now.
here are two men OF equal incomes-that or the
one from the eXertion OF MS laDor, tnat OF
the other from the Of land Is 1t just that they
| shouId equally contribute the expenses or the
| State7 Evidently not. he income OF the one rep
resents wealth he creates and adds 10 the general
| wealth OF the State the income or the other rep
rasents merely wealth that he takes from the gen.
| eral stock returning nothing
| Adam Smith speaks OF incomes as enjoyed under
| ,be nrn,ecton OF the State" The basis Of this idea
| il evidently that the enjoyment OF property is made
possble by the State-that there Is n value created
| and maintained by the community, which Is justly
| called uDon o meet community expenses. Now. or
what values is this true? Only OF the value OF land.
| The tax upon land values is. therefore, the most
| inst and equal OF all taxes. 1t falls only upon those
| who receive from society a peculiar and valuable
| hcnedt and upon them In proportion TO the bcnent
| thav receive IL IL the taking by the community.
! for the use OF the community. OF that value which
| 10 the creation OF the community. When all rent
90 taken by taxation for the needs OF tho community.
! then will the equality ordained by nature be at
! taned No citizen will have an advantage over any
other citizen save is given by his Industry. skill
ond inte,eence and each will obtain what he fairly
aarna Then but til then will labor get It's full
| reward and capital its natural return.