The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1898-02-23
which,
The Single Tax or the Untaxed Home.
Chicago Express, Pop.)

GApACco, Op.j
A friend in Texas, who realizes that
land speculation is one Of the threaten
ing evils Of the day writes us letter
in defense of the single tax and urges
the adoption of that as a remedy for the
many ills of the country
The inadequacy of single tax to meet
the demands Of a plundered people is
too evident to need reply as regarded
from our point of view, but as there
are thousands of the most earnest re-
formers who have not caught the true
inspiration we shall occasionally argue
the issue with them.
Here is a little illustration which we
want them to read
We know Of an honest, hard working
farmer, with six bright Children who at
tend school portion of the time only,
but are industriously trying to make
themselves good, respectable citizens, yet
the whole living of this family is made
from two acres of ground devoted to
gardening and truck raising.
On piece of ground of similar value
resides a Spectator. He inherited two
million dollars and now on one acre Of
ground has built residence worth
half million, including the furnishings.
He has 10 blooded race horses and
keeps dozen servants.
Life to him is one grand, sweet song
and his two children growing up in idle
ness are becoming disolate and dissi-
pated.
On the tax rolls now the one acre OF
land and the magnificent house is as
sessed at only $4,000.
'rhe neighbor is assessed on his two
acres Of home and garden 1000
Under single tax the Spectator would
be assessed half as much as the work.
ngman and while two millions of prop
erty paid one hundred dollars tax the
aborer would pay two hundred
Under the proposition to relieve the
nome to limited extent what would
be the situation?
Our gardener friend would be released
from tax until his holdings were worth
say $4,000 and our speculator would
after his exemption of $4,000 be taxed on
the balance Of his possessions, proba-
bly, on $1,99S 900.
He would pay tax on what he owned
except the legal exemption on his home.
The farmer and laborer would be re-
lieved to limited amount and his home
could not be confiscated by the tax title
sharks
We want to ask our single tax friends
just one question.
Which would be the best plan in tie
illustration we have presented? Make
your answers brief and don't expect rs
to publish column after column trying to
prove that black is white or that the H.
lustratiOn doesn't exist for the noint
which we present is not mythical pre-
seAtatlon 1t is fair representation of
which counterpart may be found in.
every locality.
With much respect to single takers
in their efforts to reach a better solution
OF economic problems, yet we must in
slst that it is now time for them to admit
that something better has been pronosed
Let us encourage home ownership and
patriotism and make alien land owners
and spectators bear their just share Of
the burdens of government.
Every able bodied citizen has to bear
MS share OF liability to take part in
the army and fight the battles of his
country, and as an offset against tho
government should make the home for
MIN and his family safe from the
dangers OF confiscation by political nj
rates.
Let spectators combat the tax ques-
tlon with these pirates and the worst
evils OF taxation will largely disappear.