The true Democrat. [volume] (Bayou Sara [La.]) 1892-1928, 1897-10-23
The Single Tax Theory.

On account of the candidacy Of Henry
George for mayor of Greater Now York,
much attention is drawn to tho single tax
theory, which has given him such notorie-
ty. For the information Of our readers
who may wish to know more about the
single tax, the followinying is reproduced,
but not with Tie Truo Democrats en-
dorscmcnt Of it's tonets and deductions,
not having given tho subject much serious
thought:
The following has been adopted as the
official statement of the single tax princi-
pies by the advocates thereof, Henry
George, chairman:
We assert rs our fundamental principle
the sclf-evlent truth cnt,nciated in the
Declaration of American Independence,
that all men are created equal and are
endowed BY their Creator with certain in
al;enable rights.
We hold that all men arc equally on
titled to the use and enjoyment of what
| God has created and Of what is gained
by the general growth and improvement
of the community of which they arc q
part. Therefore, no one should bo per-
mittel to hold natural opportunities with
ont fair return to all for any special
privilege thus accorded to him, and that
that value which the growth and improve.
mcnt Of the community attaches to land
shonld be taken for tho use of the COM
mnni'y; that each is entitled to all that
his labor produces; therefore, no tax
h'""uld be levied on the products of lab~r
To c,, NV out these principles, VIC are in
favor Of ra;s,,~" all public revenues for
national, State, co.,, r"try and municipal
purposes by single tax IT,, non lana a va a.,
ues, irrespective Of improvements, and al,
the obligations Of all forms of direct a.. ~
and Indirect taxation
Since in all our States We now levy somo
tax on tho value of land, the single tax
can be instituted by tho simple and easy
way OF abolishing, one after another, all
other taxes now levied and common
suratoly increasing the tax OH land val
ues until we draw upon thatone source for
all expenses of government, tho revenue
being divided between local governments,
State governments and tho general govern
ment, as the revenue from direct tax is
now divided between tho local and State
governments, or by q direct assessment
being made by the general government
upon the States and paid by them from
revenues collected in this manner.
The single tax would:
Take the weight of taxation off tie
agricultural districts where land has little
or no value irrespective of improvements
and put 1t or towns and cities where bare
land rises to a value Of millions of dollars
per acre.
2 dispense with multiplicity of taxes
and horde of -gatherers, simplify gov
"rnment and greatly reduce it's costs
DO away with the fraud, corruption
and gross inequality inseparable from our
present methods Of taxation, which allow
the rich to escape while they grind the
poor.
4 Give us with all tho world AZ nerfcct
freedom of trade as now exists brtween
the States of our Union TINS enabling orr
people to share through free exchanges in
all the advantages which nature has given
to other countries, or which the peculiar
sklll OF other people has enabled them to
attain. 1t wonld destroy the trusts. mo-
nopo]ics and corruptions which are the
outSrowth Of the tariff
ltTwould, on the other hand. by taxi
lug. for public use that value which at-
tachAs to land by reason of tho growth
and Improvement of the community. make
the holding Of land Improbable to the
mere owner and profitable only to the
User. 1t would thus make it impossih1c
tor spectators and monopolists to hold
natural opportunities unused or only half
used, and would throw open to labor the
ll''mltable field Of employment which the
e e offers to man. 1t would tins solve
Tue LABOR problem, do away with involun-
Iary poverty, raise wages in all occnpa~
lions to tho full earnings of labor. make
impossible until all human
wants are satisfied, render labor-sayinr
INVENTIONS q blessing to all, and cause
''!cn an enormous production and such an
equitable distribution of wealth AZ wonld
I'VE to all comfort, leisure and participa-
ion, Ill the advantages of an advancing
civilization. 1i.G
With respect to monopolics other th m
monopoly OF land, we hold that when flee
oImpet'tltion becomes impossible, as ia
e,!!egraphs. railroads, wator and gas SUP
'l'es, ETC., such business becomes a
roper social function which should be
0tntrOlied and managed by and for the
'ho'e people concerned through their
roper government, local, State or ua-
lonal, as may he.