The independent. [volume] (Lincoln, Neb.) 1902-1907, 1904-11-24
The Single Tax

principle I'll WudL, IUI Wall VI q DSeeSi
name, has been called the single tax
is equal rights for all, special priVl-
leges for none, To the end that each
man shall enjoy what he earns and the
whole OF what. he earns. and that no
one shall be enabled to extort tribute
from the earnings OF another, without
the full and free consent OF that other.
The term single tax is not a cor
rect expression OF the means by which
it is expected to reduce their principle
into practice, and Mr.. George, though
he inverted the expression, frequently
expressed his dissatisfaction with II,
and often studied with his friends &c
find better one The truth is, that
the difficulty lies in our mental atmos-
pierre The so-called single tax is
not tax at all. but we. in our pres
ent state of intelligence, are unable 10
realize the performance OF the func-
lions properly attributable to the COM
munity, as such. without the levylng
Of some tax to defray the expense at
tending the performance CT those func-
tions; and 60 long as this condition OF
mental obscurity prevails, it will be
necessary to use the expression single
tax to make ourselves understood in
part, and so prepare the way for a
more complete understanding, not only
by others, but by ourselves, OF what
our principle involves.
A more complete expression Of what
the prophet CT San Fancisco, and we,
his followers, intend by the single
tax, is 10 be gathered from the IRE
amble and resolution passed by the
International congress in June, 1889, as
follows:
Whereas, The land Is not
product OF labor, but the raw ma
terial, or the source from which
labor draws all tfat is necessary
to existence;
Whereas, Labor must constitute
the legitimate or rational basis of
property;
Whereas, The individual appro-
priation of the soil entails pauper-
ism, the enslaying or exploitation
of labor;
Whereas, Finally, this social sit
uation causes dangers which
would end by rendering all order
impossible;
Resolved, That this meeting de-
clares that individual property in
the soil must disappear and become
replaced NY appropriation for the
benefit of all.
Now, wealth is the product of labor
applied to land, and capital is that
part of wealth which is employed in
the production of more wealth: there
fore, land is not parc of either wealth
or capital, though necessary to the
production of both, ana unuer sys-
tenn of law which permits the appro-
priation of land, the appropriation is
enabled to extort a part Of the wealth
produced b. the labOrer as the con-
dition for being permitted to labor
or even to live on piece of land. The
right to individual property arises out
of the thing possessed having been
produced by labor, and property can
only come into existence, by right by
reason Of the thing possessed having
been produced by labor; the giving to
anyone the right to land, except as
to it's use in exchange for some equi-
valent to the community, is to deprive
every one else of his share therein
for the benent of the favored individ-
ual, who is thereby enabled to exact
from the producer share of his prod
uct as the condition for permission to
use land to which he has just as much
moral right as the so-called owner.
But the exclusive possession of land
is necessary, at least in our condition
of civilization, to the projection OF
wealth, to the enjoynents Of life, and
therefore to existence; and Henry
George pointed out how this exclusive
possession may be given without in
justice to any.
The possession of land, and in the
term land we include all franchises
and rights connected with the use OF
land enables labor to pe applied to it.
Some land is more productive than
other land; and when we say pro
ductive" we do not merely refer tc