Los Angeles herald., 1890-12-10
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 1890.
WHO OUGHT TO BE OUR LEGISLATORS.

WHO OUGHT TO BE OUR LEGISLATORS.
Our governmental schools, as con-
Quoted in nearly all the states, are
divided into three classes-common
schools, high schools and normal
schools. These schools have been es-
tablished and fostered by the several
state governments, in order to give the
children of the laboring classes an edu-
cation such as is necessary to make of
them good intelligent citizens. The past
history of the world shows that where
there are no government schools, the
masses grow up in ignorance, and are
devoid of that intelligence which is
necessary to good citizenship in re-
publican form of government, where
each male who is twenty-one years
old has the privilege of voting. In
view of this responsibility, surely the
fundamental principles of our govern
ment ought to be taught in all our
schools. The text book in the common
school ought to be simple, giving an out
line of the whole subject, from the forms
and usages in the counties up to the
United States congress. In the high
and normal schools, the text book
ought to be of higher grade, entering
into the science OF government. This
branch of study has been grossly ne
elected in the past. During the past
few years text book treating of gov
ernment has been introduced in few of
the high schools.
The tone of the public press indicates
that there is, a disordered and unsettled
condition of affairs in our country. This
is largely due to an imperfect under
standing or compre hension of the duties
of citizens. and the duties and powers of
the government. Wild and communistic
theories are advocated by people who
may be sincere and honest in their opin-
ions, and yet would never be advocated
by them if they had correct view of
the fundamental principles of our govern
ment. History shows that anarchism,
communism, nihilism, and all forms OF
pernicious doctrines, flourish in countries
where the masses are purposely kept in
ignorance of the science of government.
Let the masses be properly educated,
morally, religiously and intellectually,
the latter including the science of
government, and the state will be we'll
governed.
Another very erroneous idea is largely
prevalent. to-wit, that any man has as
much right and is fit to hold public office
as any other, The men who administer the
government, whether city, state or ma
tionai, ought to have ability and special
fitness for their respective positions. In
the past we have had more lawyers in
the public offices than any other class.
Doubtless this has been largely due to
the fact that their professional educa-
tion and training have made them much
more familiar with the art of govern
ment than men in any other calling.
Doubtless they were more able to grap-
pie with legal and constitutional ques-
tions than any other class. Now the
necessity does not exist for giving pref
erence to lawyers to represent as in our
legislatures. The great and fundamen-
tai questions are practically settled, and
there is no need of them longer holding
a prominent place in politics.
Commercial and business questions
are the great problems for statesmen of
the present generation to consider and
settle. Not few are of the opinion
that eve have reached an era in our de-
velopment when the purely professional
men should be succeeded, in both our
state and national legislatures, by prac-
tical and experienced business men"
Their training has made them more
competent to deal with the live ques-
tions OF the present day than any other
class. On legal, that is, question
purely legal, the judgment of Webster
or Story is preferable. but on a COM
mercial or business matter the judgment
ofan enlightened successful business man
is greatly preferable. Such men are far
better qualified to form correct ideas
about tariffs, taxation and the proper
development of the industries OF the
country than professional men. Surely
intelligent, educated men, who are en-
gagged in manufacturing, understand
questions OF tariff better than lawyers.
SO those engaged in commerce and
transportation know better than lawyers
what is the true and proper character OF
maritime laws for the government of
merchant marine. Men who are &C.
quainted with and have a practical
knowledge of our great industries, are
the men to consider and pass upon these
questions. Who is better qualified than
an intelligent, well-educated farmer to
consider the questions pertaining to the
opening and settlement of the large
tracts of government lands? The same
is true OF questions pertaining to min
ing, irrigation, and grazing lands. In a
great country like ours all OF the great
Industries should have representatives