Birmingham state herald. (Birmingham, Ala.) 1895-1897, 1896-05-17

Gardiner l.. Tucker in the Nation.
On the eastern shore of Mobile bay,
and some fifteen miles distant from the
metropolis OF Alabama, there is a grow
Ing community of men, women and chill
dren whose daily lives are. to a great ex-
tent, governed by the fiscaf-tbeorieS of
Mr.. Henry George. Fairhope is the name
of this unique colony, and its members
appear to be as happy and contented as
one could expect to find q community of
one years experience. The fundamental
principles of the community are thus
set forth in the Fairhope Courier: THAT
which nature provides Is the common
property of all Gods children; that
which the individual creates belongs to
the individual; that which the communi-
ty creates belongs to the community"
These enthusiastic advocates of the
common ownership of land have chosen
for the site of their interesting social
experiment one of the loveliest spots in
the south. From the watershed about
two miles back In the country the ground
slopes gently towards the bay and ends
in a steep bluff of some so feet in alti-
tude, thus affording an excellent system
of natural drainage, while along the en-
tire water front a thick growth Of oak,
cedar, yupon, holly, pine and magnolia
forms a beautiful screen of perpetual
foliage between the water and the bluff.
The entire water front, for depth of
park.
The main street of the community be-
gins at the bay, and, climbing the bluff
by easy stages, runs back for about half
mile, being lined on either side with the
cottages of the settlers. These are neat
substantial frame buildings of yellow
pine (Which grows here in great abun-
dance, and are constructed in a manner
that speaks well for the taste and skill of
the occupants, while their modern furni-
ture and door bells are striking lnnova-
lions in southern farm life. At the inter-
section of the two principal streets are
the store, the postoffice and the public
we'll A school building is soon to be
erected. Religious services are held in
the private residences.
The community owns about $50 acres
of unencumbered land. and is SO far.
free from debt. 1t has also constructed a
wharf and pier-head. The system of land
tenure has already been mentioned; but
while the title is vested in the commune
ty, the members may obtain parcels of
land under leases voidable only at the
option of the lessee. The rental Of the
land is fixed by annual appraisal ac-
cording to its natural advantages of fer
tility and location. The unearned incre-
ment is appropriated by the community.
The government of the community Is a
pure democracy and the administration
Of public affairs Is vested in an executive
OF lands and highways, public services.
industries and public health, together
with the treasurer of the community.
In order to render all officers directly re-
sponsible to the people, the Swiss expe-
dent of the initiative and referendum is
incorporated in the scheme of govern
ment. Hence any act of the council
must be submitted to a communal vote,
IL 10 per cent of the voters petition 1t,
while, on petition of 20 per cent of the
voters, the question of the dismissal of
any officer must be submitted to popular
vote.
No taxes other than the rent of land
are paid by the members of the commu-
nifty, and all state and local taxes are
paid by the community itself. Some rev.
enue is derived from wharf tolls.
The members of the Fairhope colony
are mainly from the northwest, the NOV
ing spirit In the experiment being Ernest
b. CASTOR, graduate of Drake univer-
sity, Iowa. Others whose names are as
ISOLATED with the venture are Alfred
Wooster, a western journalist, and j.
Bellangee. some time professor of math-
ematics in the University of Nebraska.
1t was desired to found community
which should put into practice the princi-
pies held by Its members, and commit
tee of two was sent out to find favor
able location. After long search
through Texas, Arkansas, Tennessee,
was finally chosen for the home OF the
association. The land was purchased,
and on January IA. 1895. the first ground
was broken. The succeeding summer
was mainly taken up In clearing the
ground, but q small crop was raised and
sold. For the coming season the amount
OF land under cultivation will be much
greater, and fruits, truck" and grain
will be grown. OF course, the main
source Of revenue IL the sale Of these
products, which are for the most part
tory Is projected for next summer.
Curiously enough. very few OF the col
onists come from agricultural pursuits.
Some of the callings represented are
medicine, journalism, gardening. dray-
ing, woodworking and cigar making. A