The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-02-13

EOuubAy. dS4CC with 1AE44iy 0NOA5S 0ANA
" We do not propose to assert equal rights
to land by keeping land common, letting any
one use any part of it at any time. We do
not propose the task, impossible in the pres
ent state of society, Of dividing land in equal
shares; still less the yet more impossible
task of keeping it divided.
" We propose leaving land in the private
possession OF individuals, with full liberty
on their part to sell, give or bequeath 1t,
simply to levy on it for public uses a tax
that shall equal the annual value of the
land itself irrespective Of the use made OF II
or the improvements on 1t: And, since ms
would provide amply for the need OF public
revenues, we would accompany the tax on
land values with the repeal of all taxes now
levied on the products and processes OF in
dustry, which taxes, since they take from
the earnings of labor, we hold TO be IN
fringements of the right of properly.
" This we propose, not as cunning oe-
vice Of human ingenuity, but as conform
:uG OF human regulat tons TO the viii of God
God cannot contradict Himself nor impose
on HIS creatures laws that clash.
q" ii 1t be Gods command to men that
they should not steal-that is to say that
they should respect the right OF properly
which each one has III fruits OF mis- labor
all these taxes violate the moral Jaw, They
take by force what belongs to the individual
alone: they give 10 the INSCRIPTIONS an ad-
vantage over the scrupulous; they have the
ehect-nay, they are largely intended-to in
crease the price of what some have to sell
and others must buy; they corrupt govern
ment; they make oaths a mockery; they
shackle commences; they fine industry and
thrift; they lessen the wealth that men
might enjoy, and enrich some by Empower
ishing others.
UNCHRISTIAN LIKE.
e" Yet what most strikingly shows how
/ opposed to Christianity is this system Of
raising public revenues is it's influence on
thought. Christianity teaches US that all
men are brethren; that their true interests
are harmonious, not antagonistic. 1t gives
us as the golden rule of life that we should
do to others as we would have others do
to US;
products and processes of labor, and out
Of its effects in increasing the price OF
what some have to sell and others must
buy, has grown the theory of protection,
which denies this gospel, which holds
Christ ignorant Of political economy and
prOclaims laws of national well-being ut
terly at variance with His teaching. This
| theory sanctifes national hatreds; 1T in
culcates a universal war of hostile tariffs;
| it teaches people that their prosperity lies
| in imposing on the productions OF other
| peoples restrictions they do not wish inn
| posed on their own, and instead of the
| Christian doctrine of mans brotherhood
it tae makes injury of foreigners civic VIZ
Continuing, Mr.. Johnson said: "As to
when and where this movement VIII nnaIIy
| ripen and bear fruit, that is of minor inn
| portance as it is the question of who leads
| and who follows. l am convinced that SIN
| gle tax is the only remedy for existing evils,
| and am willing to dedicate the rest of my
| life to advocating the cause and in showing
| that this philosophy is the only solution or
| our VeXed labor problems. 1 am person.
| ally willing to engage in the work in any
capacity. I would run for constable If L
| thought it would help the cause.
Public attention is attracted here to first
| one minor question and then another but
no great period of time elapses without the
| question of taxation being brought up for
| discussion. Each successive step brings
| more people to view calmly and quietly Mr..
| Georges simple and beautiful problem of
| destroying monopoly and privilege by tax
| ing them out of existence.
THE cause has made great Roadway, and
| in every walk in life you hear expressions
| Of commentator where you least expect
| them, showing that the movement is grow
| ing, as the anti-Slavery movement grew be-
| fore 1860, and it will in all probability bear
| fruit RAPIDLY and win. like that movement,
1 end in completely capturing the thinking
mind of this country as well as every other.
A PARALLEL CASE.
GAS Mr.. George so truthfully says, Forty
years ago slavery seemed stronger in the
United States than ever before, and the
market price of slaves-both working slaves
and breeding slaves-was higher than it had
| ever been before, for the title of the owner
seemed growing more secure. In the shadow
| of the hall where the equal rights of man
had been solemnly proclaimed the manacled
| fugitive was dragged back to bondage, and
| on what to American tradition was our
| Marathon of freedom the slave master
boosted that he would yet call the roll of his
| chattelS.
Yet forty years ago. though the party
| that was to place Abraham Lincoln in tho
| presidential chair had not been formed, and
| nearly decade was yet to pass ere the sig
| nal gun was to ring out, slavery, and as we
| may now see, was doomed.
| To-day wider, deeper more beneficent
| revolution is brooding not over one country,
| but over the world. Gods truth impels it,
| and forces mightier than He has ever before
! given to man to urge it on. 1t is no more
| at the power of vested wrongs to stay it
| than it is in mans power to stay the sun.
| The stars in their courses fight against
| Sisera, and in the ferment of to-day, to him
| who hath ears to hear, the doom of indus
trial slavery is sealed. -
| Mr.. Johnson grew eloquent as he pro-
| intended to give his life and influence, his
| George had so wondrOusly begun for the
| salvation of the country and oppressed
About when do you expect to be entirely
| out Of business?"
II am practically out now
Where are you going to live?"
| ''In Cleveland o."
| MAKE your headquarters there?"
| Yes, | vote there and live there and
| shall never change my residence"
Won't you spend part of the year in
| Fort Hamilton"
| Il have no idea, though it's place 1 am
| very fond of. / can only say this, that /
have determined to work for single tax
reform and oppose monopoly and injustice
of every kind