The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1897-08-11
:s5zGE!oNSn TO SINGLE TAX AN
SWERED


Poverty Is a candid frame CT mind
end was convinced ~ the soundness of
the doctrine Of the single tax both eth
icalIy and economically. Nothing has
tended 'more powerfully to confirm ne
in tie faith than the utter futility-
and was going to add puerility-cf
every attempt to explode the George
theory which has cone under my no
tice. The replies that ere made hetray
either positive misapprehension Of
the whole subject or a SAD inaptitude
for logical argument, and it seems to
make no difference whether the would
be confutsrs are university professors or
men in more humble walks of life. As
a matter of fact, perhaps as a matter OF
course, the replies have atlength settled
down into a number of ''stock argu-
ments,'' which have been effectively
met times without number, but which
unfortunately will not stay answered.
To me the single tax conclusion fol-
lows inevitably from the postulate
which most people Will allow as readi-
" as they grant the very reasonable ak
IONS which Euclid demands-viz, that
this earth was made for all and not for
select few.
II this be granted, assent can hardly
be withheld from the demand that this
right of ali men should be vindicated.
But it can only be yindicated by Civ
ing to all actual access to the land or
an equivalent for such access in the
form of rental value from those who
are in possession.
And the single tax is simple, prac-
teal means by which this car be accom-
plished..
The present system, which permits
ownership of the common heritage by
individuals for speculative purposes and
without the equivalent, amounts to
denial of the equal natural right of all
to the earth. Logically and as matter
of law the present system could raise
no voice against the ownership of the
whole earth by one man (vide Herbert
Spencer, Data of Ethics, chapter 81.
The instructive recoil of reason an6
justice from this suggestion proves that
the present system is wrong. The SIN
gle tax proposal is sound ethically, for
it is in line with the teachings of Chris
tianity as to the fatherhood of God and
the brotherhood of man.
It is also sound economically, for it
furnishes a system Of taxation which is
fair and just to all the citizens Of the
state.
But my purpose when took pen in
hand was to illustrate my remark as to
the weakness Of all attempted refuta-
tions of the single tax doctrine. To this
END submit in their order the argu-
ments contained in an address before
the Sunset club of Chicago by Mr. NJ.
L. Scuddea. The address in question
was delivered in reply to presentation
of the single tax case by another mem
ber of the club and may be assumed to
be as effective as it was possible to Sc
cure on behalf of the anti Single Takers.
I have carefully read Mr.. Scudder's pa
per and have endeavored tc give faith
fully and fully the points it contained.
They were as follows:
First. ought to be willing to
be taxed without complaint, as taxation
is merely payment for the benefits he
enjoys.
Second. --Landloraism is justly en-
titled tc the revenue it obtains from its
property IN the shape Of rent.
Third.--George's proposition is to de-
priye the landlord of this just revenue
'in order that the government may
have funds to distribute for the benefit
of its needy citizens. .
Fourth. This is confscation. It is
taking property without compensation.
Fifth.-The dogma that all wealth is
created by labor has never been proved.
SiSth.-It is not true that the poor
are growing poorer. AS to the rich
growing richer, 30 fault should be
found, asriches are accumulated mainly
by men who started poor and ere the re-
ward Of diligence and ability.
Seventh. 1t is true that in the state
Of Illinois tax upon the rental value
Of land would SC FIJI the public treasury
that all other taxes might be abolished,
and still there would be an enormous
surplus. But does any wise or practical
man think this sum would be prudently
expended or that the pcor would be any
better OFF for it?
I think complete answer to each of
these objections" is obvious. Let Us
see.
First.-AIan ought not to be willing
to be taxed Ii. e., be obliged to give up
a portion Of what his own personal in
dustry has wen fer him) if there is any
method, untainted by robbery of the in
dividual, from which an adequate pub
lie revenue can be obtained. There is
such a means-viz., the taxation Of
land value.
Second. the state has no natural