The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-12-28
OUR PROBLEMS OF STATE.
PROE. a.. 4. HABLEY SPEAKS ON oUB
FUTURE GOVERNMENT.
Expansion Means Readiustment on Many
Lines and he Necessity OF Consult
Ing Historical and Economic Experts

Expansion Means Readiustmsnt on Many
Lines and the Necessity of Consult
Ing Rhetorical and Economic Experts
The World Will watch This Nation.
NEW HAVEN. Conn. Dec. 27.-One hundred
OF Americas and EnRlhnd's leading students
in political economy and history gathered In
Colonial Hall this evening 10 open the annual
meeting OF the American Economic and His
torical associations. The hall was filled with
residents OF this city and delegates. President
Dwight opened the meeting by delivering an
address OF welcome. and the President OF the
economic association. Prof. Arthur 7. Hadley
OF Yale. delivered his annual address. His
theme was. The Relation Between Economics
and Politics" Prof Hadley touched on timely
topics. He said:
The Influence OF economists on govern
ment and legislation Is not only less than 1t
should be to-day. but less than IL many times
had been In the past. Our practical politicians
and By practical politics we do not mean foul
politics-have an ill-concealed conte mpt for a
class Of men whom they regard az theorists
and Missionaries. In individual cases they
soemtimes ask the advice OF economists and
more rarely-take IL. TIT application OF
civil service examinations % q means Of I'LL
ing administrative Offices has not mended
matters In this respect. Rather has It en-
phasized the lack OF influence Of economic
science on governmental practice. for IL has
filed our public service with men technically
trained In other branches OF knowledge rather
than that which we represent.
The very excellence OF this work only en-
phasizes the contrast between the subordinate
position and precarious influence which is to-
day. accorded them and the commanding
places attained by economists OF the earlier
generation. Where can we find among our
ynnuOar man fh0aa who ara auapaadfnR RI the
inheritance Of Walker and Wells. OF Charles
Francis Adams and Horace Whittier
THE days Of legislative debate are num-
bered. II they are not already ended. Con-
Rresses and P~arliaments have been compelled
to abandon their ~watchword Of free speech.
and to adopt in one form or another the prin-
ciple OF closure. For the actual conduct of
nnwieldy and irresponsible. body. Instead OF
cooperation in the general interest we have
the current SYSTEM OF political ethics there Is.
in fact. a direct antagonlsm between the the.
representative government.
When we were only governing, ourselves
we could leave Congress- TO make what laws It
cal education Of the American people to pre-
vent irreparable damage. But we now: have
sense and this political education. More than
that, we have TO deal with them In the sight
who viii be only too re ready to make our mis-,
government q pretext for Interference. We
can no longer content ourselves with the lax
ness OF method which has characterized our
dealings. with the Inhabitants OF cur Western
The need OF an efficient army will OF itself
make 1t necessary to give moro Independence
TO the Administration and moro opportunity to
its expert advisers, The need for a govern
ment OF our new colonies which shall recoR-
ntze the principle OF trusteeship rather than
OF spoliation must cond uce yet more strongly
toward. the same results. The need OF in
creased public revenue to meet our larger
administrative expenditures will render IL nee
eSsary to subordinate the demands OF the sew
eral districts to the general necessities OF the
country. With no colonies and q small ar ny
We could do what we pleased with our revenue
bills. With larger possessions and larger ne
~cessities for defence. they must be framed BY
a responsible administration on a sound COO
nomic basis.
Just how this change OF governmental
methods will come about no one can venture
to predict. That we shall ADOPT the English
system of Cabinet responsibility seems I'M
likely. but that we shall adopt some system
which will cause the different branches OF our
Government to operate tremendously is a FORE
gone conclusion. The alternative Is national
disgrace. IL not national ruin. Hero Is the
opportunity for the younger economists Of the
country. II their study is worth anything.
which to work and a clearer perception Of
consequences for the future. It viii put them
in a position Ct advantage In giving advice.
l believe that their largest opportunity In tho
immediate future lies not In theories but in
practice: not In the education Of individual cit
liens. however widespread and salutary, but
in the leadership OF an organized body polite"