The subject-matter about which this modern pecuniary discretion turns, with all its freedom and inviolability of contract, is money values. Accordingly there underlies all pecuniary contracts an assumption that the unit of money value does not vary. Inviolability of contracts involves this assumption. It is accepted unquestioningly aa a point of departure in all business transactions. In the making and enforcement of contracts it is a fundamental point of law and usage that money does not vary.' Capitalization as well as contracts ftre made in its terras, and the plans of the business men who control industry look to the money unit as the stable ground of all their transactions. Notoriously, business men are jealous of any attempt to change the value or lessen the stability
1 Cf. Sombort, Kapitalismua. vnl. II. ch. II.
• On the putative atabiliiy of tlie moiipy unit, cf. W. W. CarlUe, The £volti{fon 0/ Modern Money, pi. II. cli, IV.