Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1883-04-28

the study of politics. leading prepare:
tory studies for which-as ethics, eco
Monies and jurisprudencs-present only
the smallest number of uncontroverted
propositions. But if the students of the
theory of government, and the reading and
thoughtful citizens will. with the Professor
agree that it is then but matter of time
for these preparatory studies to be
placed on a strictly scientific founda-
ton to assume scientific exactness, they
will be prepared to accept his conclusion
that there is good promise for the future
for politics becoming scientific study ;
promise that gives encouragement to all
efforts to erect in this realm structure
of ever-increasing completeness. A science
need not be built, he holds, on universal
nor even general propositions partial,
particular, or even probable premises may
justify conclusions drawn with logical cor.
rectness, which may be firm basis for
action. He adds " But where the in.
vestigator proceeds in strict accordance
with the severest logical requirements,
conducting his ratiocination with the ut
most precision, and Distinguishing at all
points the possible or probable from the
certain, the universal or general from the
particular, and proof from plausibility or
mere conjecture, it matters little what
name is given to the branch of inquiry
concerned. 1t lacks no one of the essen.
tial elements and recommendations of the
best and earliest. established of the physi-
cal sciences" He believes that there are
indications that the study of politics
is, even by practical statesmen,
being placed on plane of far
higher scientific exaotness than ever be-.
fore. One of these evidences is the large
and discriminating use made of statistics,
the collection and due use of which belong
to very modern times the increasing dis.
position to await, at any political crisis,
whether legislative or administrative, the
result of patient examination of evidence
as to the state of the facts and the previous
history of the question the growing prac-
tice in more advanced countries to take no
serious step in the path of political change
which seems other than the next step on
ward in course which has become habit.
ual, without first nominating, by one pro.
cess or another, competent persons to con.
duct critical examination and to DELHI
crate and report upon the matter. Lastly,
he calls attention to the growing DISPOSE
ton " to consult past and surrounding facts
before inaugurating change, . and this is a
belonging to the strictly scientific habit of
mind. If much laborious investigation
seems for the time to be thrown away,
"yet it seldom happens that complicated
and far-reaching changes are encountered
without the assistance of a previous impair.
tial and deliberate inquiry of the kind ad-
verified to. The scientific method in politics
here as slowly and surely getting
the better of the empiric." Thus may be
conoisely stated the position of Professor
Amos; one that is most encouraging to the
stability of republican institutions, and
which, if true in essential particulars,
promises to disentangle this nation in due
time from the difficulties, and the confused
nature of its political surroundings.