The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1905-11-16

ITp vi "a t''J
to a city" This principle, carried on
10 it's logical conclusion. could not bu
prove destructive to that cardinal time
honored principle private ownership
which lies at the very foundation OF thu
social fabric.
A owns five lots situated in the hear
OF thriving city. These lots, say are
valued at 5000 piece, Twenty 'hyt
wears ago, let il be suppose,i, he pnr
chased this property at the price OF - 3
lot. Hence the present price OF these
lots is sixty thousand per cent. OF the
value of said lots ut the time purchased
them. In other words, the price OF a
property has increased TO :he extent o,
SO 900 per cent This increase has re
suited from the increase OF population.
Surprising that A has made no improve
mepts-tbat the lots are bare does the
increase in the value Of these lots
which increase at the supposed rate OF
80. 900 per ,ent amounts to sl4y75-be
long TO The city and not to AZ Most
assuredly il belongs TO A and not to the
city. To say that the city takes posses
sion of this increment through the levy
ing Of taxes is TO indulge In fallacy and
sophistry for can A not sell his property
take his money and remove from the
city? Or il be remains in the city, can
he not spend, use, or invest the stoTe-
said increase. sli g7j. in any .AwtC.
way that may please hin, while - sill
enjoys his share Of the bsce-;. Arasl2s
from the levying Of taxes on the property
whose enormous Increase II Ttl1- "a.
resulted in his enrichment
The principle q private property
must be maintained IL Is one q The
cardinal principles that cannot Dc
abandoned with immunity from disas-
trous results IL Is a cohesive forces
cemen'iug agency that Is absolutely
essential To the continuance Of social
order. Abolish the right Of private
ownership, and the dlsintegration of the
social fabric becomes inevitable.
While it is not difficult to see that the
private ownership Of values that are
solely created by the public works much
hardship and priyation TO certain
element Of the public, this hardship,
etc, arising from the increase in values
OF real estate il not by any means
necessary evil But the principle OF
private ownership we repeat, must be
maintained 1t cannot be abandoned
without inauguratipg an era of universal
disorder that could not but result in the
destruction Of tho social fabric with all
its priceless institutions that are ex,
presrions Of the crystallized knowledge
acquired and evolved by the best minds
and noblest hearts produced by the
civilized nations in the course OF many
centuries.
But the hardship and suffering above
referred to as resulting from values
created by the public are altogether I'M
necessary. The principle Of private pro.
perty muat not be abandoned but
poverty need not exist in this land OF
unlimited wealth
A socialgtic or any other system that
contemplates the abolition or abandon
ment Of the right Of private ownership
ia not conceivable, and the truth Of thi'
statement cannot be successfully contro
verified by any man in the country. Tha
those who are impelled by conviction tt
teach the doctrines Of socialism have I
true mission Will not be denied 10y an,
sincere and thoughtful person, tina
many Of the cardinal principles o
socialism have been, and are being, re
duced to practice by representative mem
bers Of the dominant political parties j
patent 10 every observing man tina
good, honest socialists will be- instru
mental, in the not distant future, in tn,
rectifying Of many existing abuses, II
the redressing Of the invasion Of inalien
able rights, aud IN the ameliorotion o
the wage earners condition all thes.
things 10 without saying. But it is aaf'
to -sy that, IL socialism zbaIl ever tri
umpn 10 s;.ch An extent az 10 get contro
Of the machinery Of tn. state aud fedora
governments, its leaders viii hay,
tsbooed most Of the Utupiau views tha
are now entertained aud disseminated
by socialistic leader. The right d
private ownership could not be uscess
fully abandoned except in the economy
u small, comparatively isolated com
muuities In word If socialism ahal
ever triumph 1t will not come to de
stroy, but to build, 10 correct 10 improve
TO purify and to hnmauize If it doe,
come, 1t will not appear IN the shape o.
revolution but will assume the aspec
Of gradual, imperceptible evolution.
No matter what party may BE- in con
troll Of the government the people will
never tolerate any material invasion o.
the right Of private ownership Th'
race 10 progressing but the solid fonn
dation Of the existing social fabric viii
not be materially distur bed or affected
Nor will the superstructure be tori
down. II will be only partially remodel
cd and somewhat beautihed A few
dirty chambers here and there will b,