The independent. [volume] (Lincoln, Neb.) 1902-1907, 1903-11-05
Money and the Taxing Power
BY w. H. ASHBY
BY w. II. ASHBY.

cay that tribute in something which is
his, and not another's.
Let us now in closing view again, in
panorama, the matters involved in
| this investigation, so that the various
points set forth may not be seen as
through glass darkly," but stand
OUT distinct and clear and definite as
the white peaks of the Sierras against
clear twilight sky.
When we define utility, in the abb
stract, we can only say that ut is the
caoability to be compelled to perform
beneficial service for man." This
power is found as an endowment Of a
multitude of things, each of which
selfish, greedy man, following the mar
row system of beasts and plants, seeks
to reduce to s~bjection to his own ex-
elusive, individual will. Each thing
endowed with this power he endeav-
ors to bring under his exclusive indi-
vidual dominion, and make subsery-
lent to his personal control.
AS man himself is endowed in a
superior degree with this power, the
ccnnibalistic methods of the plants
and lower animals, retained by man,
impel the greedy to seek dominion
over others of their own species, las a
means of commanding that power to
perform beneficial service for them
selves. Hence, has resulted, first, cam
ribalism; then chattel slavery; then
the modified form known as feudai-
ism; and last, the present system of
wage slavery.
The incessant struggle between men
for exclusive individual possession, adj
verse to all others, Of things suscepti-
BILE to exclusive possession, thus en-
doWed, the struggle being carried on
under governments restraining vio->
lence, transforms human energy, be-
ing expended in that struggle, into
the force of demand for those things
Value" in the abstract, is quantity
or degree of intensity of that force of
demand, just as length in the abb
stract, is quantity of linear extension
and as weight in abstract, is
quantity or intensity of the force of
gravitation.
Definite quantity of linear extension
is ascertained by the employment of
some concrete implement, and COM
parison, by means of that concrete i'm
plement, of other concrete things with
each other, enables us to determine
relative quantities of linear extension.
Definite quantity of the force of
gravitation is ascertained by the en-
ployment of a concrete appliance,
called balances or scales, and COM
parsons made by it's means enable us
to determine relative quantities of the
force of gravitation.
But such is the peculiar nature of
t force of demand that no concrete
appliance can be employed to ascer-
tain its quantity. We accomplish
this end by mental process of val
uation" or appraisal" and so, in the
only possible way, determine quantity
of that force. Necessarily, all com
parsons of relative quantities of the
force of demand are mental acts. No
physical appliance is conceivable.
When we have ascertained, by the
employment of the yard-stick, a de-
terminate quantity of linear extension.
a means of expressing that definite
quantity is necessary. We employ for
this purpose the term yard" as a
symbol selected to express-not a
yard-stick-but that fixed quantity of
linear extension.
When by the employment of bal
ances we have ascertained a deter
inmate quantity of the force of crawl
tation, a means of expressing that
quantity becomes necessary. We em-
ploy for this purpose device consist
Ing OF the term pound as the SYM
Dol selected to express-not a pound
weight-bnt that fixed quantity of the
force OF grayitation.
So. likewise. when by the intellect
raj act Of appraisal" or valuation"
have ascertalned a determinate
quantity OF the force OF demand,
means of expressing that quantity. be-
comes necessary. We employ for that
purpose device consisting of tho
term pound sterling" ur dollar" a.
the symbol chosen 10 express mot
that mental act. nor COLI. nor any
other physical object ont that fixed
quantity Of the force Of demand.
CONTINUED Next Week