Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1898-08-22
FREELAND, PA, AUGUST 90, 1898
FOR A LAND VALUE TAX.


tion of land values should occupy
foremost place in the program of the
Liberal party to be dealt with at the
earliest possible moment by:
First, The abolition of the breakfast
table dutics-the duties on tea, coffee,
cocoa, dried fruits, etc.
Second, The substitution of direct
tax on the value of land, apart from i'm
provements.
- Third, The reform OF the valuation
acts to provide for the seperate schedul-
ing in the valuation returns of the values
of land and the values of improvements
with view to separate assessment etc
LEADERS ON THE QUESTION.
This showing that the Liberal party
is pretty well committed to the principle
of taxing land value, the question arises
how do the Liberal party leaders stand?
Sir, William IIarcourt, the party leader
in the house of commons, stands on
record as saying that the question of
ground values affects the whole country,
local and imperial, and ought to be
considered in any plan of local taxa
ton.' EX-Premicr Rosebery says: The
taxation of ground values is a principle
which will not be allowed to die unit
it has been carried into effect. 1t is a
principle which is becoming universally
established, because it has been ac-
knowledged to be both just and sound
John Morley says: i cannot doubt that
the principle involved in what is called
the question of ground values is one
which must mako quicker and quicker
way into the minds and opinions of the
people. 1t will be thought an intolerably
thing that men should derive enormous
incrementS of income from the growth
of towns to which they have contribut-
cd nothing that they shall be
able to go on throttling towns, as they
are well known to do. 1t is impossible
to suppose that the system will not be
vigorously, persistenty and successfully
attacked
WHAT IS LOOKED FOR
"This much for the Liberal party
principles and the Liberal party leaders.
What of their followers in parliamcntP
There Is nothing that shows just how
the present members stand, as the QueS-
tion has not been raised in any formal
way, and has not oven been brought to
Il vote, except when, on March s, 1895,
even the Tories, not daring to challenge
division, it was unanimously resolved
by the house on Mr.. Provand's proposal,
That no system Of taxation can be
equitable unless it includes the direct as
seSsment of the enhanced value of land
due to the increase of population
"The best 'straws to show the wind
are in the bye-elections, as they tend to
show how the next parliament will
stand. In these contests to fill vacancies
in the house since the last general cleo
ton, in 1895, the Liberal side has done
good deal more than hold its own, and
all Of these successful Liberal candi-
dates, save two, during the canvass an
nounccd themselves in favor Of the taxa
tion Of land values and were elected ON
the understanding that they would do
what they could to pass that question
forward.
THE political prophets see in these
results indications that the country will
return Liberal majority at the next
general election, which cannot be de-
ferred later than 1901, and which may
come much sooner. Alfred BillsOn, a
Liberal, elected triumphantly at bye
election from the constituency of Hall
fax, tells me that the result in this con
test makes him confident that If Sir
William llarcOurt would make an appeal
on the question of the taxation of land
values he would sweep the country on
that issue at the next general election.
"Of course this is but one mans view,
but the strong probability remains that
the Liberals will carry the next election
and in that event the almost certainty
is that there will be substantial agree
ment in the question of taxing land
values among a sufficiently large number
of Liberals in the house to constitute
such voting influence as no party lead
ers can ignore.
Nor, having decided to tax land
values, is there a constitution or SUI
preme court to bar the action of such a
parliament Precedent is the only con.
sttution recognized by parliament, and
British history blazes with precedents
for the taxation Of land values. Even If
no precedent existed parliament could
act and make one; for the British parla-
mcnt is absolute and can do whatever
1, u,iIIs