The independent., 1903-04-23
HENRY GEORGE EDITION
AN EXCELLENT SUGGESTION.

Our friend James BARLEY, of Am
sterdam, N. Y, writes the editor that
his contribution for the Henry George
Edition MAY 14) will be upon THE
Foundation of independence" He
writes also touching upon three
points which contributors ought not
to lose sight of. Letter follows:
Editor Independent: Single takers
will, ! am sure, appreciate The Inde-
pendent's progressive and widely lib
eral policy az exhibited in its an
nounced intention to devote the is
sue Of May IA to the single tax phil
osophy.
After review of the subtopics sug-
gested, am moved to express the
hope that In these numerous branch
discussions, the essentials of the main
inquiry may rot be lost sight Of To
my view they are these:
Il. Is the chief purpose of govern
ment to secure and preserve to every
citizen, as far as possible, the full
and free enjoyment Of his natural
rights?
2. Are all men, of every generation,
born with an equal natural right to
stand on this earth. and to use its
richest las well as its poorest) re-
sources, and It's choicest (as we'll as
its least advantageous) locations?
Ii the answer to these two essential
questions proves to be conclusively
negative, then there the discussion
ought obviously to end. But if the
answer is affirmative, then this third
question logically and inevitably fol-
lows:
3. How, or by what means or
method, may our government most
easily, safely and satisfactorily re-
store to the masses of it's citizens
these fundamental natural rights, OF
which 1t has by unnatural and unjust
laws deprived them?
Single takers answer these first two
questions emphatically in the affirma-
tive; and in answer to the third re-
spectfully submit the simple single
tax plan proposed by Henry George.
These three questions, Mr.. Editor,
embrace the essential features of your
proposed inquiry. Because, if govern
ments were not instituted chiefly to
preserve the natural rights of the
weak from the unjust encroachments
OF the strong-and to protect the in
nocent and confiding from the schem-
ing Vaccinations of the shrewd, the
selfish and the cunning g-then it like
ly Is none OF our governments busi-
ness whether the natural rights of it's
citizens are being withheld or inter
Tered with or not, or whether or not
they are being unjustly ignored, re-
strlcted or encroached upon.
But II this is the chief business and
purpose of all just goyernments-and
we SO determine-then we evidently
have to decide on question No. 2, be-
fore proceeding further. Because, ii
all men are not born with equality of
natural rights regarding standing
room and working room on the earth
tas has long been held in Europe).
and regarding the use of the really
desirable and available resources and |
locations OF their separate countries.
1t would evidently be idle to discuss
ways and means for securing to all
the people the increasing commercial
value OF such supposed rights.
With the pertinence of all these |
other questions so evidently hanging
upon the answers to the first two Of
these three am encouraged to ask
you to give them special prominence,
and to invite every contributor to |
this symposium to give his views re-
garding them. JAMES BARTLEY.
Amsterdam, N. Y.
Editor Independent: A copy of The |