The independent. [volume] (Lincoln, Neb.) 1902-1907, 1905-03-02
The Philosophy of Freedom
An Open Forun for Single Takers

regular funds are exhausted the school
is still continued for the ordinary
school year and maintained out of
Fairhope rentals. OF course the pupils
living on Fairhope lands are entitled
to free schooling for the entire school
year, but others living within the dis
trict, but not on Fairhope lands, are
obliged to pay tuition after the close
of the public school. In the case of
some families the tuition would amount
to as much as the rent would be on
corporation ground.
Again in the matter of telephone.
Those on Fairhope lands get free serv-
ice while those upon other lands have
to pay for the same services $24 per
year.
All of the wharves upon the eastern
shore charge foot wharfage of five
cents each of all passengers going out
over them. The charge at Fairhope is
the same, except in the case of resi-
dents on Fairhope grounds, who have
passes which are good during the time
Of such residence.
OF course all residents of Fairhope
are entitled to free use of bath house
privileges and to free water, and to
free burial in the public cemetery in
the case of death, and use of the pub
lie library while living.
These privileges are SO considerable
and promise to be so augmented as
the public services are developed that
it is easily seen that the residents on
Fairhope lands are benefited far more
than they would be by such chance
advance in land values as might be pos
sible did not the single tax system pre-
vail at Fairhope.
But probably the most considerable
advantage enjoyed in Fairhope arises
from the fact that the really greedy,
those who wish to do business only
when they can get something for moth
ing, do not care to live there. They
can not make money in land specula-
ton because they can not monopolize
the land They can not get real estate
mortgages or bonds on the property of
Fairhope SO that money loaning is not
profitable, and since no public fran
there is no chance to get possession
of any monopoly and no way to earn
living except by some form of useful
labor. This fact puts into an entirely
new alignment the energies and ambi-
lions of her people.
Individual worth, not accidental
wealth, is the thing honored. Oppor-
tunities for selling labor rather than
chances to control it are the prizes
sought and men are honored and ap-
preciated in the ratio that they contrib
ute to the industry of the place. In
dividual faithfulness and personal skill
are at premium and character and
intelligence are rated above leisure or
the social distinction that wealth alone
can give.
Not only is there no place in Fair
hope for the money lender who refuses
to assist in the progress of the world
except he is secured by a real estate
mortgage and for the land Spectator.
but the real estate or corporation law
yer, and the abstracter of titles, are
not needed there. These useless and
harmful elements of society are elimi-
mated automatically, simply because
there is no demand for their services.
But the home builder, the producer
and the legitimate trader are given es-
pecial opportunities and encourage
ment and the public service is greatly
and developed
The effect upon the ideals and ambi-
tons of the young of a system in
which none are prosperous except those
who are useful and none are poor but
those who are improvident or lazy can
be readily imagined. Where the prizes
of opportunity are equally free to all
and the lucky chances of location and
privilege can only be enjoyed after
they have been fully paid for, there
is no incentive to the youthful ambi-
ton to cultivate any but those simple
and direct virtues that constitute real
manhood.
J. BEIIANGEE.