The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-10-07

The Democratic party. by accepting
single tax a. part Of It's doctrine. must
be held To have abandoned III cherished
idea OF an income tax The incomes at
which most OF the resentment Of the
Democrats has been directed are Sc
cured from the rental Of land If the
entire rental value Of land is 10 be alb
sorbed in taxes. there wifi be no in
come left upon which TO base q tax
The amount Of rent derived from
private ownership OF land Is far more
than sufficient to pay all taxes That
being the case. there Is no longer any
need for an income tax. Income tax
and single tax are absolutely inconl-
ratibie This view Of the matter ID
only confined To the consistency of the
Democrats. and it is Of little conse-
auenee whether or not the Democratic
party Is consistent. IL It's new departure
is for the greatest good of the greatest
number But is it,
The greatest incentive To industry and
thrift Is the desire for possession. Most
material possessions are based upon
private ownership Of land. That is the
foundation upon which all enterprises
are based. The first thing the manu-
facturer or the humblest citizen desires
as the basis of his establishment is
clear and ind,sputable title TO the land
upon which his improvement is TO rest
Whether IL he q cottage or a factory.
2 horne or mill. the builder Seeks 70
intrench his interests behind absolute
security against being molested in the
ownership of the land upon which his
Improvement is to be erected.
4 man would be regarded as fool
a building for business or a home for
occupancy before he has established
hts right to the land upon which II was
10 be built against all corners. He will
not take chances OF being ousted by the
arbitrary or possible increase of a tax
equal in amount TO the rental value.
He will not improve land either BY
buildings or cultivation IL they are
likely to become subject to confiscation
by tax whose sole purpose is to de-
prive him of the value To himself Of
all he does.
Much land has far more value to the
owner than it's saiable value. A man
whose good judsmen, has anticipated
the increased value of land. due to his
enterprise in improvement or TO the
convenience or the beauty Of home
site. Is surely better entitled 10 enjoy
IL than one who waits until ii has been
beautiful in order to seize the advant-
age by being better able to pay an ar
bitrary tax, calculated to be beyond
the means Of the owner in order 80
throw the land open to anv who choose
Ia prefer it
Instead OF unsettiing the foundations
upon which home is built. the entire
efforts Of society should be directed to-
ward protecting the home owner and 10
fostering the desire 10 become a home
owner. IL is So notorious as to be be-
yond controversy that the happiest,
most prosperous. most intelligent com
muni5y is that In which the largest
number own their homes, The single
tax aims to utterly annihilate this con-
ditiou. II would absolutely and mercE-
iessly destroy private ownership If land
Henry George. the apostle of the sin
gle tax. saws: To affirm the rightful-
ness - property in land Is 10 affirm
claim which has TO warrant In nature"
Crrogrcss and Poverty. page 30e)
Whatever NAV be said for the institu-
tien ~ private property in land. il is
therefore plain that II cannot he de-
Tended on The score 81 justice =.
-'t.s-i the parchuents he ever So many
a. possession ever SO long. natural tus-
ice San recognize no right in ore man
- .he possession ana enjoyment 81
lana that "a not equally the right Of
an his fellows
This Is she basis upon which single
tax rests It's object IS to take away
srsns all who noE own feot - land
and vcet II In the state \ mar rasy
own ;hc hgud.ng far which he has
paid or u hich 30 has erectszi. byt he
shall have 10 private rtga' "a she land
/ upcn which II stands