The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1895-05-01
1npsrfset Iass

single tax. If it is paid at all-which IL
very doubtful-it would be forced from the
holders of the identical classes Of lands
which the single tax advocate Claims
would only be taxed nominally or not at
all-the owners of the farms and homes.
The wealthy landholders by their united
action and power in politics. could protect
themselves, and 1t would be done at the
expense of the farms and homes. whose
holders would not have concentrated
wealth and the power it gives in political
affairs to make a combination effective.
This proposed scheme of bicephalous
landlordism would probably result in the I
landlords attaining entire control of the
land policy and revenues Of the state, and
in the complete subjugation of the farmers.
The interests of the people cannot be
promoted by any such alliance of the state
with landlordism. If landlordism is wrong
the state should abolish 1t by the gradu-
ated tax and home exemption These
measures would cause the landlords to
part with their holdings, and lead to home
ownership. The single tax would confis-
cate the homes and plumber them of the
values their owners had created, in a futile
effort to destroy land monopoly. which
would still exist. The state has no moral
right to declare land monopoly an evil and
then go into a partnership with landlord
ism. There should not be a divided con-
troll of the subject-either the state or the
individual should be the sole rent-gatherer.
Whenever the people act collectively for
themselves, in land reform or other mat
tiers of general Importance, without any
admixture of individualism in the under
taking, they will succeed in their effort
but whereas in the case of the single tax,
,;tl, <oA
ments exempted from both confiscation
and taxation-they mix the interests of
the whole people with the separate inter-
est Of the individual they will inevitably
lose. In any such case where rent, interest
or profit to the individual is involved, indi-
vidualism is as certain to come out the
victor as that effect follows cause. The
Elan offers a provocation for it's own de-
81 2ction.
me present money war offers an anal
.gcus case. The right to coin and control
The money of the nation is a prerogative
Of sovereignty; yet by gradual encroach-
nents and usurpations on the part of the
banks, it has. In practice. become divided
power, with the banks determined to have
full control of the subject. The situation
demonstrates the folly of permitting ind-
vidualism to get foothold in any matter
Of general concern. where gain to the indi-
vidual IL put up as a reward for subvert-
ing the power of the state and trampling
upon the interests Of the people.
The Pacific railroads furnish another in
stance showing the folly of the nation go
ing into a partnership with. individuals;
and later on the Nicaragua canal scheme
will doubtless add another object lesson
for the people to study on the same SUBJ
ject
The single tax proposition Is right in
line with the instances cited. Land
values having been confiscated and oblit-
Grated the state would not have any cap
ital invested in the proposed partnership
with the landlords except the phantom
privilege of use and occupation. The vast
capital required to carry on the business
would be put up by the landlords, and the
state would not be allowed to forget it.
The law has decided. and the common
sense of mankind has concurred in the
decision, that improvements go with the
land. Whomsoever owns the land likewise
owns and should of right own all improve
ments of a permanent character attached
| to the soil. The single tax would confs-
cate the land only Its advocates. are too
| modest by half They should follow the
| law and demand the confiscation of i'm
provements as well. Il make this sugges-
| ton with diffidence, thinking that perhaps
| the point was overlooked in getting UP the
| scheme, and that there may yet be time to
| correct ito H. B. Congdon.
Tulare, Cal.