Wjc Nebraska. Indopcndont
PAGE 6
JANUARY 19, 1905
The Philosophy of Freedom
' An Open Forum for Single Taxcrs
Direct and Indirect Taxation
The effect of the single tax will be
to shift public burdens from labor and
production to monopoly, from workers
to idlers, from the poor to rich, from
the unprivileged to the privileged
classes.
Valuable land, as mines, city lots,
great forests, rights of way and termi
nal facilities of railways, steamers, etc.,
are natural monopolies which can not
be abolished. Their great rental values
are the product, not of their owners,
but of all the people, hence these
values should go to all the people inT
stead of to make multimillionaires.
This can best be done -can, onty be
done-byfT,3SeValunS
nual ta; 4on for public purposes,
thereby, i 1
taxta on ft
the nan:
terr.il rei'
OVA'
thresh h
ving the people from their
rsonal property and from
adirect taxes as tariff, in-
tax:j not paid.
IIiJ tM single tax no other recom
meriaticji than that it would bring
abczt dik t instead of indirect taxa
tion -it i' aid be ' sufficient for all
thQhtf h f economists. Colbert, the
greit Fr( ;h minister of finance, was
rigtt-:Vh! Jie said: "The only possible
3 1. indirect taxation is that
he goose of labor can be
plusd s cleanest with the least
squrkiibJ ,
Lord I)' 'I England's first lord of the
trerrury I ring our revolutionary war,
sail la i"t Uament: "The English peo
pi6VTVlln; 5t submit to higher direct
taxation j Sey will know the cause of
their pov? ty and resent It, but through
atC'rtl ration we can take the last
rag , ..zzs back, the last crust from
zt There will be grumbling to
5. ; t of hard times, not of hieh
lelr people are too ignorant
eir misery is caused by In-
Jon." ; '--v .
the two billions appropriat-
past congress by the four-
voters of the country gives
of $142 for each voter for
the :
be t
tax'
to 1
din
Vr.
ed tty tK
teen nilE
3
an event;
- . - 'I!
V
national taxation, state and local rev
enues to be added probably over $100
each. This now falls as heavily on the
poor man as on the rich one. It all
falls on labor and production, none on
wealth or monopoly (we mean national
revenues) and this is partly time of
state and local taxes.
All forms of monopoly can shift its
entire taxation (direct taxes) in high
er prices. So can manufacturers, mer
chants, bankers, money loaners, many
professional men and speculators, so
that farmers, mechanics and common
laborers, who do not control prices, are
practically the only real taxpayers.
, In the, expenditure of public funds
the reverse is true. Aside from sal-
protect property of the wealthy, pr by
public improvements to enhance tne
value of their holdings. The money
expended by congress in the District of
Columbia adds forty to fifty millions
yearly increase of the land values of
the district, mostly owned ;by a. few
rich people. River and harbor and oth
er public improvements, forts, public
buildings, rivejt levees, etc., go to en
hance land "values, benefitted, so that
rente are raised because of improve
ments made by money taxed out of
poor men living thousands of miles
away. It has been estimated that the
incomes of the Astors, Goelets, Bradley-Martins
and other millionaire New
York city reaUestate owners,have been
doubled by the many millions spent by
Uncle Sam in . and . around . that city
and its harbor.. r
Location of state capitals and county
seats produce great land values in
many instances enough to run the state
or county if saved to the people who
produce them. 4
Under the single tax all improve
ments enhancing the , value of land
would be paid for by a tax on the land
benefitted. 7 -
Under the present system labor pays
most of this tax and then pays higher
rents because of the improvements.
' :---'W. H. T. WAKEFIELD.
Froporiional uepresanfafcon
- Eighth Article. i'-
1
1
I
J
" I had Intended to tell you this week
about the free li3t plan, which is suc
cessfully used in Switzerland and Bel
gium, but, on second thoughts," that
bad better wait until next week. We
have been talking so much about the
use of first choices and second choices
nd(third choices invoting that while
your minds are on them we had bet
ter, discus3 the use of ' "choices" in
electing "single officers," I mean,
where only one person , can possibly
be elected, such as a mayor, a sheriff,
or the president; or. secretary of an
organization, or the nominee of a polit
ical party.
An excellent illustration of this
plan was given in the columns of The
Independent some months ago on the
occasion of the "straw ballot'! for pop
ulist presidential candidate.; The In
dependent then used the proper title
for the plan, calling it "the preferential
vote," because the voters by their bal
lots ; express "preferences." . Otner
names are sometimes used. In Can
ada the annual Trades and Labor con
gress use this system, and so does the
Toronto District Labor council; and
both these organizations call this plan
the "Hare-Spence system," because the
method of marking ballots is nearly
the same as that, and it is convenient
to group tue method for committees
and sigle officers under one title; they
using both.
' In my description I shall employ the
illustration of a voluntary organiza
tion. The method is substantially the
same for mayoralty elections, etc.
Let us clearly realize the distinction
between the election of several com
mitteemen and the elction of a single
officer, such, as president or secretary
In the former case, the object is to
represent all the" vote r3, as nearly as
you can come at it. : In the second case,
the only requisite is that the man
elected should have a clear majority of
th6 votes cast, and should not be1
elected by a minority.
The ordinary system of voting for
elngle officers is all right when only
two candid '; . run for each office; but
Where three cr more candidates are
running, the successful lone may be,
nd often is, elected by a minority of
the-voters which is. not- right. . -'
Many organizations see this clearly,
and take several ballots in order ulti
mately to secure a majority. The
friends of the weaker candidates give
up the man of'thejr first choice and
cast their yotes for the one they like
next best; and the process is con
tinued until some one gets a clear ma
jority. A much better way than this is the
application of the preferential feature
of the Hare-Spence system above re
ferred to; which is worked as follows:
Suppose that Smith, Brown, Jones
and Robinson are running for the
presidency of your organization. Then
let each voter mark his ballot for all
the candidates in the order in which
he prefers them. For instance, take a
voter who wants Smith to be elected
and who thinks Robinson the most
objectionable of the candidates, and
who prefers Brown to Jones. If the
voting is done by writing the names
on the ballots, this voter will write his
ballot thus: ,
Smith. . '
Brown.
Jones.
' Robinson.
If printed or written ballots have
been distributed, with the names in
alphabetical order, this voter will mark
his ballot as follows: .
Bro- i 2
Jones ...3
Robinson 4
: Smith l
A ballot is spoiled unless the voter
marks at least three out of the four
names. N The voters must be told this
distinctly before they vote.
At the close of the po the votes are
sorted out according to the "number
one" votes for each candidate. Then
the candidate who has the smallest
number of these .first choice votes is
declared "out," and his votes are dis
tributed amongst the other three, ac
cording to the marking of the, ballots.
Then the lowest of these three remain
ing candidates is declared "out," and
his ballots are similarly transferred.
Then whichever of the remaining two
is found to have the greatest number
of votes, transferred or original, is de
clared elected. ,:
A great deal of time is saved by this
plan; , "log-rolling" i hindered; -and a
fuller choice of candidates is given.
Unless himself elected, no man can
spoil the chance of a friend by splitting
his vote. Therefore a man is willing
to be a candidate by way of seeing
what he can do, and his friends will
vote for him in the same way, knowing
that they will have a chance at a
stronger candidate if their favorite
proves to be very weak in popular
favor. The plan might be of value in
political conventions.
The process in detail:
1. Distribute the ballot papers
amongst the voters, with instructions
that all -the candidates are to be writ
ten or marked in the order of the vot
er's choice, or the ballot will be spoiled;
except when one name only is omitted.
In that case the omitted name will be
understood as being the man most ob
jected to by the voter. Collect the bal
lots 'when all are marked.
2. Sort out the ballots into four piles,
according , to the number one or , first-
ohnioa vnttrn natrirxr r ottontinn tr
"Politic In New Zealand"
Dr. C. F. Taylor, 1518 Chestnut street,
Philadelphia, has just issued in the
Equity Series a condensation of the
book-published by himself and Profes
sor Parsons on "Politics In New Zea
land." Thi3 condensation is in paper
cover, contains a little more than one
hundred pages. The Independent is
prepared to furnish this valuable book
to its readers at 25 cents per copy.
Send either stamps or currency to The
Independent, Lincoln, Neb. Special at
tention is called to it because all re
formers ought to have a copy.
New Zealand is one of the most pro
gressive countries in the world. Free
to form their own government and to
shape their legislation, unhampered by
previous systems, the people of New
ieaiana nave successf ull jr ' adopted a
on each ballot as you do so. Whilst
this is being cone, two tally clerks are
keeping tally of the number of votes
for each candidate.. Reject spoiled
ballots in accordance with paragraph 1.
3. The tally-clerks name the candi
date who ha3 the smallest number of
first-choice votes (the only votes that
so far have been counted). The scru
tineer then declares that candidate out,
and distributes the whole of his ballots
amongct the remaining candidates, ac
cording to the second choices on the
ballots. For instance, if Mr. Smith
is at the bottom of the poll, the illus
trative ballot above given would be
transferred to Brown's file, . becauss
Brown is second choice upon ,it; and
it would count Brown one vote.
4. Three candidates are now left on
the board. The lowest of these is de
clared out, and bis votes are trans
ferred to the remaining two candidates,
in the way already described. If, for
Instance, Brown was declared out, then"
the ballot above given would be put
on Jones' file, and would count one
vote for Jones, because Jones is num
ber three on the ballot, and both num
ber one and number two are. out and
can not be elected. , ,.
5. ' Only two candidates are now left,
and the one found to fcavq the greatest
number of votes Is declared to be elect
ed." By means of the. transfers he has
a clear majority of the vote cast.
- 6 Ties can be disposed xtf Jxjex-
i vjuuuig me uauuiuuie-naving xne leasi
I "is 'i"'- "'lift --i.-: -'i:
uumuer ui mai-cnoice votes; or, nrst
choice vote3 being equal, by excluding
the one having least second choice
votes,', and so on. Failing this, the
older of the two tied candidates may
go in, or lots may be cast.
7. These directions relate specifically
tO"an election, with four candidates;
but they will at once suggest the meth
od to be pursued when three or five or
more candidates are running.
The use of . these improved systems
of voting in, clubs and societies is one
of the very best means of, making
them widely known. Although the
foregoing is not strictly proportional
representation, it is closely akin to it,
and should be understood by, every one
interested in improved voting meth
ods. When a voter gets used to mark
ing several choices for a "single of
ficer,", lie will be more willing to mark
choices for several representatives on
the quota plan for a congressional or
legislative election, or to allow it to
be done for him on the pove plan.
One of the largest organizations
using the foregoing system is the In
dependent Order of Odd' Fellows of
Canada. I understand that the vote is
taken in each of the' local lodges, and
that the ballots are there . sorted ac-r
cording to first , choices, and sent1 with
a statement to a central election com
mittee,, who make the transfer, and an
nounce tin result. : ! '
A modification of the .preferential
plan might be made on the principles
of the Gove -system by allowing the
candidates themselves to state the pref
erences before the election. This
would perhaps be desirable for the sake
of uniformity in cases where the Gove
system . was being used &t "the same
election for the election of a number
of representatives.
A gentleman in Kansas has proposed
that this preferential system should be
applied to the direct primary nomi
nating election laws now becoming so
popular. The suggestion! appears to
be valuable, and perhaps some of my
readers may express their, opinion
about it to the editor of The Inde
pendent, or to me.
ROBERT TYSON.
Toronto, Canada, 10 Harbord St.
saaxm
The Tod-
cussion here and elsewhere.
rens title registration is in operation
there; the telegraph and telephone
lines are owned by the government,
postal savings banks have been estab
lished; govervaient Insurance is in
operation there, .the Australian ballot
and the primary system have been
adopted, and the railroads are operated
by the government.
These are some of the reforms which
the people of New Zealand have "
worked out for themselves and every
student of economic -sociological! 1
questions is interestefrm knowir?
wnat has been done and whatsuccess
has attended the experiments,
PERSONAL.
LADIES' Are you aware that in
France women use a monthly regu
lator . more than the women of all
other nations combined? Dr. La
Rue's French regulator is used every
where; thoroughly reliable; absolute
ly safe; better than Pennyroyal or
Tansy. Price $1; thrse for $2.50.
Riggs Pharmacy Co., American
Agents, Lincoln, Neb. !
j ' . .;;
IF YOU CAN'T SLEEP, take Trilby
Sleeping Powders; absolutely harm
less, easy to take, 'no bad results;
four sleeps for 25c. Riggs, the Drug
Cutter. .. , ,
destroy odors of perspiration; dust
the powder where the odor arises;
on arm pits, etc.; by mail 25c. Riggs,
the Drug Cutter. .
HAY FEVER AND ASTHMA CURED
We have cured hundreds". We can
cure you. Guaranteed cure $1.50.
Money back If it fails. Riggs, the
Drug Cutter.
NER-VO-1NE Those suffering from
weaknesses that will sap pleasures of
life should take Ner-vo-ine. One box
will work wond rs. Has more re
juvenating and vitalizing power than
any medicine in the world. Sent by
mail, large box $1; 3 for $2.50. Riggs'
Pharmacy, American Agents, Lin-
- coin, Neb.
TRILBY had no corns. She removed
them with a Trilby Leaflet; absolute
cure; 10c by mail. Riggs, the Drug
Cutter. '
RIOGC GUARANTEED PILE CURE,
the remedy that cured Mr. Hemroid;
50c; salve or suppository. Riggs, the
Piug Cutter.
WILT, tht lat lady who passed our
'., s-tore yesterday buy Dr. Pasteur Obe
sity treatment? One month $1.
Treatment reduces 3. to 5tpounds
per uetk. Riggs, the Drug Cutter.
RIGGS' ECZEMA CURE, 50c; guarani
teed to do the work; will tell you
many it nas cured. Riggs, the Drug
Cutter. , . -
GLAD ' FOOT POWDER Cures itch-i
ing, bun. ing, sweaty feet; removes
offensive odors; cools the skin, 25o
by mail. Riggs. the Drug Cutter.
Office Phone
517
Residence Phone
497
Dr. J. M. Birkner
Physician and Surgeon
929 O St : : : : : Lincoln, Neb
Captnin
Commanding Hospital Corps
Nebraska
AO Om leading and bst varieties of choice selected,
thoroughly tested seed corn, which, bare yielded 7ft to .
IIS kvslMU pr mn. Cte Only C6eer Aerator SeeA,
'Large descrlpUvo-catahfeue of Corn and all kinds of
Farm and Garden Seed malted free If yon mention this
paper. : IOWA SSS9 CO., SZS KOIKES. 104.