The independent. [volume] (Lincoln, Neb.) 1902-1907, 1903-12-24
The Philosophy of Freedom
An Open Forum for Single Takers

will settle itself. Most business is
done without money anyhow, but no
business is done but on land.
A good platform would be: One tax
ton land values), one money (Of pa
peri, one brotherhood of the race; free
land, free trade and free men. Any
party taking the above for platform
could win. There would be clear
cut difference in principle between it
and all other parties. There has not
been difference, but a mere distinc-
ton, in per cent of pertdy between
the two old parties. Both want gold
and silver, both want a tariff. both
want war when it suits them, both pay
pensions to soldiers to encourage
butchery, and there has been no diff
ference on principle between them.
With president nominated on
a S. I. platform, men can enter the
campaign with enthusiasm and DEM
onstrate every plank in the platform.
The people can see it, and the people
are honest and want a change. The
platform would simplify government
and eliminate many laws and officers.
We are too much governed. That
people least governed is best gov
erned," said Jefferson And Spencer
said: 1.-THE freest form of govern
ment is only the least Objectionable
FORM" The great aim of the people
should be to abolish government as
far as possible instead of complicat-
ing it with more laws. Simply abol-
ish taxes, abolish tariffs, abolish wars,
standing armies and navies, abolish
pensions and haplains-encourage
peace, homes, and the production of
wealth. Abolish poverty by giving all
equal access to land upon which all
can make wealth. Repudiate our ma
tional debt. / did not make it and
my name was forged to the bonds.
j. G. BAnNES.
Hindsboro, Ill.
Where several things are vital nec-
essities, it is quite a matter of taste
which shall be regarded as THE nee
essity Men are just as necessary as
land; sunlight is just as necessary;
fire is necessary; SOME government
is necessary-and some revenues are
necessary.
Now, the fact is, until we make
radical change in our revenue laws,
which include the coming OF money,
the single tax-as many single takers
present it's lame. DR.. Barnes be-
lieves that to abolish all taking of
revenues except economic rent, would
settle the money question. Would it?
If so, how?
In
paid? Could the government use, and
would it accept, piece of land or a
piece of land value as revenue? DR..
Barnes own definition of value shows
how ridiculous such thought is.
Emotions" do not pay officers sal
aries. Then how would the rent be
paid? Under our present system the
rent-payer would be obliged to seek
the owner of a disk of gold. duly
stamped by the government, and sac
rifice some portion of the products of
his labor applied to the land in ex-
change for the disk; and then present
the disk to the tax collector. How
would the abolition of customs duties
render it unnecessary to make terms
with the gold gambler?
If each occupier of a piece of land
could pay his economic rent with
portion of the things he produces for
sale, then DR.. Barnes contention
would be correct; but to make that
possible the money question would
have to be settled that way. 1t makes
little difference upon what taxes are
levied; so long as the taxes tnem-
selves must be paid in particular
thing. which no one can produce for
himself, yet is made as gift to the
owner OF gold bullion, just so long
will the money question be the most
| important subdivision Of the ques-
| ton of taxation.
Or. Barnes makes no distinction be-
tween money" and "coin" or coined
money. Money" the system of ae-
cornting. Is almost indispensable to ex-
change-but "coin" Is not. Yet
coin" az the system has evolved, Is
an absolute necessity In paying taxes
and caneelllng court Judgments
Coin" may not be blood Suppose we
liken II 10 gall. II has It's place In
the human economy and there Is no
substitute for u. II II not blood but
II a.. A a