The Struggle for Home Ownership in Early Seattle

Political economists combat the idea which prevails in Europe, that there is a sacredness attaching to property in land in a higher degree than to any other species of property. Yet there is a unique factor affecting landed property which distinguishes it peculiarly from all other kinds: that is its immobility. It never grows. It is not subject to the mysterious transformations of the multiplication table. It is a property of money to accumulate by a sort of geometrical progression. Land, however, preserves always the same inexorable limits from century to century. An exchange aptly says: 'If a man owns his homestead lands, he feels a nobler and more independent citizen than the rent-payer. The man who pays rent feels but little interest in the improvement of property compared with one who owns a home, be it ever so humble.' The persistent renting of land has created the vast wealth of England's aristocracy and is the cause of the people's poverty. An extended system of cheaper and quicker communication with the outskirts of the city is wanted, to bring cheap homes within the easy reach of those who now have only a choice between a crowded corner in the city's center, or an expenditure of much time and money in reaching a fine space outside. In the western end of this city there lies such an extent of land as would afford homes for millions of people, and yet it lies unoccupied and unimproved because of its inaccessibility. On the other hand, a small and central area is becoming unhealthily jammed. Let these outside lands be made easily and cheaply get-at-able and there will be no difficulty in finding hundreds of men willing and able to purchase home lots.