The independent. [volume] (Lincoln, Neb.) 1902-1907, 1905-02-23


through the columns Of your paper,
like to call the attention of single tax
ers to the need of making the masses
understand what IS meant by the term
single tax From boyhood | have been
interested in politics, was attending the
normal school at Toronto in the win
ter of 1887, when Henry George lee
tured there, but did not hear him.
Later, in October of 1889, while in New
York, heard kev. Dr.. McGlynn preach
in Cooper institute, on the subject:
"Wanted-A New Gospel for the Nine
reenth Century" | have taught chool
for several years, lectured and Travelled
some; been engaged in business near
ly ten years, and yet it was not until
within the past year that | found at
what Henry George was striking at
or the single tax idea. Even then it
came to my mind only by accident.
My municipal council was taxing moth
ing but land. The result was that the
taxes on the farmer became very bur-
densome,S especially when his farm, at
it's unimproved value, was valued at
the monopoly price of the Speculation,
instead of being valued at what 1T is
WORTH to farmer, allowing him in
terest on his capital, and wages for
his work. The latter valuation would
be very small The monopoly valua-
ton, or what the Spectator was sell
ing his wild land at, was different.
Land ten miles from the village was
being assessed the same as land be-
= xr,lJ I'D in hn vii
lage was assessed the same as farm
lands outside. Our council quoted
Henry George as authority for doing
business in this way Hence it was that
took occasion to look into the Henry
George idea.
Since then I am satisfied that vast
masses of men, educated and unedu-
Gated, have little or no idea OF what
the single tax means.
How can we teach people? The re-
form must begin with the municipal
tiles. Let each single taxer look into
the assessment, and see that the land,
at it's unimproved selling price, in vii
lagos. towns and cities, is assessed up
to it's full value. Then let each single
taxer get the doctrine printed on back
and front of his envelopes each of
which will then go out as missionary
If one does not use enough to make it
worth while getting a thousand printed,
then let him get an air-cushioned rub
Der stamp, and stamp the gospel on
back and 'front.' Let each write to his
local paper, explaining the idea. Some
circumstance Of public interest is sure
to arise to enable one to drive home
the truth. Let each spend little in
getting a supply of tracts, that say
much but cost very little. Let one of
these be enclosed in each letter writ
ten. A. G.. Beecher of Warren, Pa,
furnishes splendid assortment. So
does Frank Vierth of Quasqueton, Ia.
Send them ten cents for samples. Then
order a small stock. Then enclose at
least one in every letter, written, ask
ing the recipient to pass it on to the
next one, and SO on.
Get rubber stamp and stamp on
front of envelopes name and price of
Henry Georges books and pamphlets in
cheapest editions. Do mail order
business with them, if possible. Keep
at it. We must reach the common peo-
pie, the people at the margin. Street
preaching in towns and cities is good
These remarks will suggest ways to
get it into peoples heads. Let us
keep at it, and die in harness, as the
prophet himself did, for even now;
women faint, and little children
moan" MANITOBA READER.