The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-08-11
Rclinncc on Omcinl Mi,dom.

Reliance ON Official Wisdom.
People who laugh at the so-callcd labor
rciurmcrs for seeking to remedy social and
business evils by legislation, may do we'll to
inquire how far they themselves are affected
10y the same dclusion in regard To- the SUI
pcriority Of official over private wisdom.
The idea Is a great deal too prevalent that
election or appointment TO Office carries
with II. in some mysterious manner. the
possess sion Of extraordinary administrative
ability. and that "A man who previously
was no, remarkable for skill and prudence
in the management Of his own affairs be-
comes. when he takes an official post, see
ond SOLOMON or another ALFRED the Great.
The error Is, Of course. most conspicuous
IN the case Of members Of Congress and Of
State Legislatures. Problems which battle
til" ehrcWdc-t heads in the country in pri-
vate station are turned over to a miscclla-
hcous collection ~ lawyers, merchants and
hack politicians. with the confident oXpecta-
tion that they will be solved TO the entire
satisfaction ~ the community. For exam
pie. the committee Of investigation into
the caUses OF the present business de-
preston which was recently sitting
III the Post Onice building. consists 81
mon whose pers onal opinions would not
bc regarded as worth more than those
~ hundrc Is of other men just Ike
them, and yet they are charged with the
duty Of settling question about which
there Is nor" controversy among experts
than any other. Whatever their report
may be-, II will lie only their report. aud
nothing more, and any measures they may
recommend will emhody only their private
views. Why. then, should SO much interest
be taken in their proceedings Evidently
il IL because they are official personages.
and because OF the consequent importance
attached to their judgment. The most con-
ficting theories have been submitted to their
consideration. and out of these they are
supposed to have the sagacity to select that
which exactly expresses the truth.
On smaller scale the confidence rcposcd
In the officers and directors Of corporations
illustrates the same reliance upon the Wis
dom supposed to accompany the receipt of
a salary for attending To other peoples
business. Millions Of dollars are deposited
In savings banks managed 10y men who, In
their individual capacity, could not get
trusted with thousand dollars apiece
Half the presidents Of Insurance companies
were formerly unsuccessful merchants, but
their native lack of ability l. supposed 10 be
compensated Tor by putting them in arm
chairs In front u mahogany tables. Broken
down spectators get control Of great rail
roads, and thereafter every word they utter
IL caught up and repeated as if it were the
wisdom of an oracle. What il worse, they
are clothed with the power of making or
marring the fortunes Of the other stock
holders. and their bundcrs end often in the
ruin Of their victims. Every day bring- to
light fresh proofs Of the dishonesty or in
competency Of the managers Of all sorts Of
companies and yet people go ON blindly
buying shares III them a. investments for
their money.
This reliance on official wisdom Is a bad
European habit which the American people
have got to combat and get rid of. II Is the
inspiring cause Of the clamor we hear all
around for large standing army to put
down strikes; for "A strong Government to
repr'ss what is called the mob; for GRANT
~ President for a third term. and Thereafter
for life We must remember that boobies
and rascal- ont Of office will be- boobies and
rascals ia Office, and that to take a stupid.
obstinate, and cruel man and make him
d spot over Us would increase his obstmacy
and cruelty without diminishing his stupid
ity. Our only safety lies in Keeping in the
hands Of the people the power To dismiss
these servants whenever they prove them
selves dishonest or incompetent. and in
Judging Of their qualifications in this re-
gard we must not hc blinded 10y the blaze Of
official dignity which surrounds them.