The independent., 1903-05-14
HABITS AND CUSTOMS
Judge Hall Shows Their Influence on Opin-
fons-NaturaI Law of la axation

fons-Natural Law Of Taxation
1--WE come into this world with
minds ready to receive any impress
sion. To the eyes of infancy all Is
new, one thing is no more wonderful
than another. In whatever lies be-
yond common experience we assume
the beliefs of those about US, and it
is indeed difficult for us to disre-
gard the accepted opinions OF our
times.
The vast majority of US would as
unhesitatingly believe that this earth
is fiat, supported by huge turtle, in
a community where that opinion pre-
vailed, as we now believe it is a
sphere circling around the sun. No
Theory is too false, no fable too ab-
sHrd. no superstition too degrading
for acceptance when it has become
embedded in common belief.
In this tendency to accept what
we find, to believe what we are told,
Is at once good and evil. It is thus
that social advance Is made posi-
BILE; that each generation obtains the
hard won knowledge of proceeding
generations; and that errors and per-
versions thus received enslave US;
that tyranny Is maintained and su-
perstition Is perpetuated.
Polygamy is unnatural, yet 1t seems
perfectly natural when it is generally
accepted. Chattel slavery contravened
the Declaration of independence, yet 1t
was regarded as right and proper
where it existed. So with many other
unnatural things that are accepted
without question.
There are two qualities of human
nature that 1t is well to call to the
mind also. The one is the power OF
habit-the tendency to continue to do
things in the same way; the other is
the possibility Of mental and moral
deterioration. The effect of the first
in social development Is to continue
habits customs, laws and methods
long after they have lost their orig
inal influences; and the effect of the
other is to permit the growth of in
stitutions and modes OF thought from
which the normal perceptions OF men
instinctiyely revolt.
As society advances. the DISPOSE
tion to continue previous social ad-
justments tends to grow stronger and
stronger. Hence we cling to the habit
Of supporting the same political or
ganization long after 1t has accom-
plished its mission and regardless of
the principles advocated. The most
glaring wrongs are perpetrated and
sanctioned in it's name, and the very
idea of justice is blurred by the habit
ual liberation of injustice.
In this way a republican govern
ment may easily and rapidly grow
into political despotism, in which
our public servants become public
bosses and the masses of the people
mere slaves to their caprice, and the
most grievous wrongs practiced upon
them will excite admiration rather
than indignation.
But mental habits which make such
state of things seem natural are
breaking up; superstitions and fears
which prevent its being questioned
are melting away; beliefs which make
the masses content with such condi-
tions are dying out; and while every
thing tends to awaken sense of nat
ural equality under the laws to
arouse the aspirations and ambitions
Of the whole people, to excite keen
er and keener perception Of the gross
injustice of existing inequalities Of
privilege and wealth.; yet, at the same
time everything tends to the rapid |
and monstrous increase of these in
eQualities under our present system.
Never since great estates were eating
out the heart of Rome has the world
seen such enormous fortunes as are
now being accumulated by monopoly. |
Under such conditions we are slow
to appreciate the fact that the gar
ment Of laws. customs and political
institutions, which each plane Of civ
ilization weaves for itself. Is constant
ly tending to become too tight, like :, |
boys pants, SO to speak, as civiliza- |
tion advances, if unaccompanied By |
changes in social adjustments.
To tax land values-the unearned |
increment, as Jefferson called it's |
no mere fiscal reform; 1t is a con-
forming of the most important social |
adjustments to natural laws. 1t Is the |
only natural system. To those who |
have never given thought to the mat
ter 1t may seem irrelevantly presump-
tuous to say that It Is the evident In.
tent Of the Creator that land values |