The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1897-11-01


cast their votes for Van Wyck. The dem
ocratic candidate will not poll as many
votes as he would have polled had there
never been d George movement, but he Will
noIl a great many thousand more than he
would have received had the race been run
through as a four-cornered race 10 the
finish.
The death Of Henry George removes one
of the most remarkable characters which
America has produced. That he has be
come q very decided entity in the political
and economical life of this country does
not need demonstration. He was man OF
undCubtcd ability dreamer, perhaps, ana
a thcorist, bot one whose dreams and
whose theories were for the benefit OF the
masses of the people He has been called
anarchist, socialist, and almost every term
of opprobrium has been applied to him; ne
was none of these. lie became, through
his writings, the principal advocate OF a
system of taxation which in theory mas
much to be said of it. Through his teach
ings that which is known the single
tax theory has been growing undoubtedly
stronger. until it may be. even if it is not
now. one of tho political issues of the
future. a victory for Henry George III
this municipal election would have precip-
itated that issue. Though he would have
had no power or ability to test Its efficacy
as mayor of the city, he would have made
it u very important issue in the politics Of
the immediate future. That his death will
retard its growth seems likely, but his
books live and he has a great many disci-
pies who are sure to keep up the work in
which they are now engaged.
The spectacle of a man like George being
a serious candidate for the office Of mayor
of the greatest city in this country is
rather a peculiar one. Nobody has ever
doubted the honesty of the man his sim
cerity in believing that there was a call for
him to enter this contest In the interest
of the working classes; but his whole life
has been foreign to everything which
would seem to indicate a chance for sue
cess In this particular line. An honest
man who is Inexperienced in the WIIcs of
city politicians and who has confidence in
the men immed lately around him, is prob
ably the most unsafe man who could be
put in such a position 4 theorst and
dreamer. he had no practical grasp what
ever of affairs such as would be absolutely
necessary 70 one assuming so great re-
sp0nsibility However strong candidate
he might have been, l do not see how it
could be expected that he would be any
thing else than weak chief executive. Ills
whole career shows that he has lacked
practical ability; and 1t is q practical ah.l-
ity to cope with dishonest men aad dis
honest schemes, and to discriminate be-
tween the honest and the dishonest that is
the most necessary characteristics for
man In such an Office as that OF the mayor
Of New York.
Henry George was a delightful man per-
sonally, and one of the most resting
takers ] have ever met. Upon two occa-
sions 1t has been my fortune to talk with
him, rather to listen to him. The last OF
these was a few days ago at his headQuar-
tors at the Union Square hotel in Now
York T was an early caller ana fond him
at a time when he was inclined to chat
about himself, about his views and about
his chances. In personal appearance he
was short in stature, about five feet and
five inches in height and weighing no more
than 125 pounds. The pictures you see of
him show the George of ten years ago; as
! saw him his face was not SO full his
hair was thinner ana his beard very much
GrayeG. SDectacIeS wrought 4 decided
change In his appearance from the big,
handsome Autographs which have been
spread over New York by mis- followers
during this campaign.
He would not talk for publication but
went over with me the interview which he
had given the DAY Before to Maurice Low
for The London Chronicle. indorslug It 40
correct. Then he went on to give briefly
his ideas about city affairs. lie had not at
fhat time given this to the public, and 1t
was only on condition that [ should not
quote HIM that he talked at all. 1t is not
of sufficient interest to the people Of the
south to reproduce these now; but the i'm
preston which his "Progress and Poverty
mad made of his beng 81 theorist ] found
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