The Portland daily press., 1901-01-17
SINGLE TAX DISCUSSION.
Letter. nom Dr.. Biauehard ana NC.
AIIister.


The following correspondence explains
itself,
10 Rev. It, 5. J. McAllister, Pm ID.
President OF Portland Social and Econ
cmio Club.
Wy dear Brother. A letter received
from an earnest student OF political
economy induces me to write you this
open letter. am glad 10 be q fellow
student with you In our Social and
Economic club. am greatly Interested
in Its object--to secure an EARNEST study
OF all plans Of social improvement.
1 know that you have given much time
to the investi cation Of the various
theories proposed by earnest and able
teachers OF economics. The result of
your study is your conversion to the doc
trine OF the Single Tax.
My correspondent represents q large
number of thoughtful, educated men
who, dissatisfied with our present meth
ods OF taxation, are, nevertheless, repelied
by Henry George. He seems to them to
have been ''doctrinairei' and extrem-
isA To these persons Georges theory
seems absurd. Some Of them, indeed,
believe that the adoption Of his plans
would lead to robbery OF individuals and
corruption OF the body polite. They fear
that the Single Tax would cause very
carnival OF spoliation."
The answer OF the present leaders of the
| Single Tax movement lie that the oppon-
ents Of Henry George nave not read
Progress and Poverty" carefully, judi
cially. They say that these opponents
- IN, ha
Hence misi Interpretation Of his position.
How then does 1t happen that the lead
ing teachers OF economies believe that
| Henry George is grossly mistaken Pres
| Hndiey OF \ ale says, Neither Rousseau
nor Henry George tooK In all the facts OF
history" Dunbar OF Harvard, Iaughton
of Chicago, Harris, Commissi1ner OF
Education, and many other leading stu
dents ana teachers Of economies are In
| su bstautial agreement with my CORES
pondent. Mr. william Lloyd Garrison
once told ms that when he was study ing
Progress and Poverty at urst George
theory seemed TO him absurd. Continued
study has made him deyout disciple of
the one whom he now gladly considers n
prophet It's certain that many able
men viii not even read Progress and
Poverty. Henry Georges reputation
among many thoughtful persons is that
Of doctrinaire whose theories are utterly
/
the freedom Of our club, You will man.
fully advocate the Single Tax-yon will
show, as you believe, that Henry George,
understood, will be gladly accepted as a
teacher Let me ask you, then, TO reply
| to this letter through the PRESS. In
| the present session Of our legislature, the
subject of taxation will have an impor-
tant place. Judge HASKELL once told me
that our Maine laws concerning taxation
were simply "hodge-podge." Many
other Intelligent men agree with him In
this opinion. What we want In our
methods of taxation Is simplicity, ration
ality. justice, effectiveness, You believe
tina: the Single Tax will give US These.
| 10 show 10 TO be such a method must be
delightful task. i invite you to present
your views. Aristotle oncs defined man
"as hunter after truth. . There is q
multitude of such beings. believe that
many will be glad to read what an
earnest student OF economics and a rever-
emit disoipls OF Henry George Will have to
| say.
Fraternally yours,
HENRY BLANCHARD.