44 THE THIRD POWER 



"To establish justice" — this is one of the pur- 

 poses which our forefathers had in view in adopt- 

 ing- the constitution. If it is found that justice has 

 not been established, it must be either that the con- 

 stitution is defective, or else that we have been false 

 to its principles. It makes no difference which of 

 these alternatives be true, the fact remains that our 

 government at the present time is not conducted in 

 accordance with justice and equity. It has too many 

 favorites, and among- those favorites the farmer is 

 not found. He is taxed, not only for the support of 

 the government, but for the benefit of others of his 

 fellow citizens, who are not taxed for his benefit. 

 As taxes are levied on land and as land can not be 

 hidden from the taxgatherers, it follows that he pays 

 proportionately more taxes than do those whose 

 wealth is in money or stocks or bonds, which can be 

 hidden. Under our constitution has grown up a 

 system of laws which favor the corporations and 

 trusts at the expense of the individual. And it has 

 come to pass that our government is weaker than its 

 citizens. The combination of politicians, speculators 

 and corporations controls the government — nay, is 

 the government. 



The powerlessness of the central authority would 

 be brought home to all men in such a struggle as 

 that between those wanting to buy farm products 

 (food and clothing) and those refusing to sell 

 them. The people would demand that their govern- 

 ment should at least be as strong as its most power- 



