The independent. [volume] (Lincoln, Neb.) 1902-1907, 1903-12-31
The. Philosophy of Freedom
An Open Forum for Single Takers

would save through monetary reform
would be pittance-even IL he got it.
What he would have through the free
access to land would raise the farmer
and the workman to the independence
which the early settlers knew. At
least that is my opinion, but that
opinion seems to be wonderfully sus-
tanned by the experience CT those
places which have tried the matter
for themselves-A Disciple Of Henry
George.
tOur friend pays great attention to
the non-essentials and entirely over
looks the real issue. Coined money"
land that term is broad enough to
cover everything which carries some
power of tender) Is commodity man
nfactured directly land properly or
indirectly (and improperly by gov
eminent for specific official purpose
1t has certain functions, certain Off
ces, certain duties. 1t may be put to
other uses-just as a hat may be used
10 stop hole In window-but we
are not now considering further than
the uses for which 1t was expressly
manufactured.
Coined money"-our friend to the
contrary Notwithstanding the
ONLY thing which is empowered BY
law to cancel tax levy or a judy
ment. No tax Is PAID by heap
sweet wind" bank credit; the tax col
lector may, on his own motion, and
at his own peril, receive John Does
check and issue therefor tax receipt
but II the check should be turned
| down." the tax collector Is response
| BILE.
! Now, money" coined on disks Of
gold, OF prescribed weight and fine
ness, Is the ONLY complete legal
tender" for ALL taxes and ALL judg-
ments. Silver dollars are legal ten
der. except where otherwise stip-
ulated in the contract" Greenbacks
are legal tender, except for interest
on the public debt and duties on i'm
ports. Silver certificates are not a
legal tender against judgments, but
are receivable for customs taxes and
ALI public dues" and SO on through
the list. When simmered down, it
will be found that our laws make gold
coin the only COMPLETE money"
and, so, in speaking to DR.. Barnes
contention, gold coin alone was men,
toned. It was hardly necessary to
mention that for SOME kinds of taxes
and for SOME kinds of judgments,
! silver dollars, greenbacks, gold GER
tificates, silver certificates, Sherman
notes, and national bank notes. will
do the work.
1t is unnecessary here to discuss
whether the single tax Is simply a
revenue measure or a land reform. It
Is doubtless both. But the point made
is this: Except the gold miner alone,
under our present monetary laws, no
occupant Of land could pay his eco
nomic rent directly to the government
in the things he produces by applying
his labor to that land. For the gold
miner alone the government will
stamp, spon the result of applying his
labor to the land, certain words and
figures absolutely free of charge
which give HIS product the power to
pay directly the economic rent of the
land he occupies. Every other land
occupant must make terms with this
man. or his successor in ownership
Of the product, gold-if our friend will
relieve lis the necessity of mention
ing categorically each time certain
other substitutes which may be used
as a crutch. Isn't this Special priv
ilege" for the occupant of gold-pro-
ducing land?
Looked at as either reform or a
fiscal measure, the single tax cannot
be divorced from the money question
and perform the wonders which It's
advocates claim-becanse coming
money Is itself an exercise of the
taxing power.-Assoeiate Editor.)
NOTICE.
The Single Tax Information Bureau
1AcT naJfarH aNanna nwaallys,