The herald., 1895-05-05

and that it should be held only IN limited
quantities. If | mistake not the followers
of Henry George and those who prefer
the free soil plan have practically the
same object in view, viz: to prevent the
accumulation of vast fortunes by the few
and the consequent poverty. with its at
tendant evils. misery and degradation of
the many; and to secure the restoration
OF peace and prosperity to all our people,
through such legislation as shall secure
Justice to all Gods children. They
differ only as to the means to be em
ployed.
II cannot imagine how free land will
remedy all wrongs. 1t will doubtless be
answered that if the land were tree there
would not be such surplus of labor as at
the present time. And | admit that if
the land were practically free that would
be true to certain extent; yet all men
would not become farmers. All men have
not the inclination or capacity to be
farmers. and unless other conditions are
changed-conGition not directly affeated
by land-there will always be people out
of employment, to take the place of
those who will not work for starvation
wages-wages based on the heathensh
law of supply and demand.
a sister in Cincinnati who is an earn
est believer in Mr.. Georges theory writes
me thus: IF land is taxed equal to its
yearly income exclusive OF labor be-
slowed upon it, land monopoly will cease
4 single lot on Broadway, New York, now
regarded as the best property in the
world. would pay tax equal to whole
counties in some sections This may be
true; but if we were considering the best
means OF securing revenue, | would
ask what good to the government would
result if this property were taxed for all
it was worth. exclusive of labor bestowed
upon it--that is, | suppose all the profit
of the business done on the lot? The
owner would have no lnducement to
keep it and would not keep it. Then
from whence would come the revenue?
Here the speaker reviewed an argument
made by MI. Levi in The Herald some
days since, and offset his illustration OF
how the single tax theory would benefit
the people. with the following:
Let us see what would be the effect on
people of moderate means of the taxation
of this 'unearned increment Let us see
if it would result in Justice, or, indeed,
in much or any better condition for the
poor than the present practice. Suppose
a settlement of 100 families, whose limited
means made it necessary for them. in or
der to secure a home of their own to sac.
riiice the conveiIinences OF an older sec
ton. and to select situation with ref
erence to their finaLc ces. They improve
their home as rapidly as they can by their
own industry and good management. In
time the population increases, and. find
ing a demand for stores men of means
purchase business sites, erect commodious
buildings and carry on their respective
businesses. The proprietors each make,
we will say, $500 per year exclusive of la
Dor bestowed. which we call profit. Now,
if | understand correctly not only are
these business men required to pay thai
$500 to the government in the way OF
taxes. but this profit in considered as an
unearned increment which is to be at
tached to all lands in that immediate vi
cnlty; and that amount Of tax is charged
to each equal amount of land owned by
other inhabitants, whether living in
palaces or in huts. And. be it remem-
bered that it was the industry and enter
prise of these humble settlers which made
this 5000 possible. and is therefore a tax
on the result of their labor and industry,
and not of the land. But the labor and
enterprise of the manufacturer according
to Henry George. must not be taxed.
Therefore. in reality. the single tax while
it relieves the wealthy of their share of
the expense of the government, which
protects them in their possession, places
the great burden of taxation on the pro-
ducing classes and deprives OF their
homes all who cannot pay this enormous
tax
After reviewing Henry Georges theory
to some extent, Mrs. Longley conclud ell
. "And here the question suggests ITSELF
How can taxes on land be forcibly col
ected. since Henry George says no one
should own land? Can n man be com