New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-06-23
PROFESSOR BUTLER AT ANN ARBOR.
COLUMBIA PROFESSOR ADDRESSES GRAD
YATES OF MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY on

EDUCATION OF PUBLIC OPINION"
Ann Arbor. Mich June 2.-Professor Nicholas
Murray Butler Of Columbia University delivered
the commencement address at the University OF
Michigan to-day his subject being The Education
OF Public Opinion" The students entered Univer
sty Hall, preceded by the regents members Of
the faculty and alumni President Angel gave out
the diplomas TO the 697 graduates. The Grafton Of
the day. by Professor Butler. followed.
Mr. Butler spoke in part follows:
Men must cooperate, and to cooperate for po-
ntica purposes is TO be a member of a political
parry. one may be member Of party formally,
aha so nope TO exercise some influence upon It's
ponclesl or ne may support IL generally without
processing allegia1ce to its public declarations or
t9ySty to Its leaders In the latter case he de-
constructive Sos policies and measures and IN return
destructive criticism; although think this on the
who're doubtful In any event, he makes IN my
huence as factor in shaping public opinion.
AS practical matter it has been distinct gain
twenty years there have been influential Individuals
and groups and influential journals which have
progressed ana acted upon policy OF independence
But an extension of the policy of acting in small
Indefinite swiftly evaporating groups, outside OF
nc large party organizations and in opposition to
political system: An independent vote which must
be reasoned with and convinced and which is able
and now in another. is most admirable political
sfmqant 1t spurs the parties on to their best
ton TO its numbers Yet TO disintegrate political
crOsS-NOting
and all occasions would be disastrous To see to
what IL would lead one has only 10 WATCH the
based upon successive votes in the Chamber Of
Deputies. recall the intrigues by which Bis.
majority In the Reichstag.
Political parties. Ike armies. need leaders. and
competent patriotic and responsible. or ignorant
selfish and irresponsible depends upon ciTcnim-
0ss 6 Profile o of r too soam e
proper account The political boss IL below the
horizon from which the public good is visible
is Interpreted in terms OF his personal supremacy
He surrounds himself with the weak and the obedi-
behind the bars Of ambition and OF desire for
gain He bases his hope Of victory upon effective
political machinery upon layish eNpendlture %, QI
money, and upon promises OF preferment ms
If victorious. his first thought is the aggrandze
ment and enrichment Of himself and his family
his foi6%eTs If defeated. he is at once in secret
communication with his triumphant adversary for
him and his until the next contest occurs: More
than one State and not few cities can frame
particular visage in this outline. what Is TO he
First, try 70 understand why he exists. The boss
is the joint product of two factors-the checks and
the balances in our constitutional system and the
modern alliance OF business and politics.
Just now the sale of public privileges is proving
more profitable than the peddling OF ofhces. rms
is due to the close alliance between business and
politics which has grown up in this country since
the Civil War and which has been helped on amaz-
tion and administrative protection for the thousand
and large enterprises OF semi-puDllc character
which have developed all over the country. but
particularly in and about the rapidly growing
centres of population. These enterprises are very
profitable; they begin 10 make returns at once
Men of affairs eager TO embark upon Them
they will be a public benefit. What more stimu-
lating TO a Legislature than the hint that the
protectors of a given undertaking. for which pub,
lie franchise Is asked. are good party men ana
what return more natural on their part than a
handsome contribution for campaign purposes 10
the boss who has dropped the hint? These are
business methods in politics. and they are far more
dangerous freedom than the more overt ana
dramatic forms Of treason. The one question
which should be heard in pure politics Is the
same question which should never be heard in a
II pay? Ask Is right? Is Il lust? Is II wise? Is
il necessary? but never ask VIII II pay?
That the boss must be displaced for the leader az
ali hazards goes without saying. To accomplish
this the first step is relentless boss punishment at
the polls The second step is TO take away his
capital by establishing reformed and democratic
Civil Service and by putting stop 10 his ability
10 dispose OF public privileges for personal or for
party gain The third step Is to regulate business
principies TO business. and to conhne politics to
ends properly political 1870 -. ,,,
An This again comes back to the point from which
We started-the individual citizen. There Is no
trench in which he may hide. no bomb-proof TO
which the wea pons OF responsibility will not follow
him Are YOU politically alert? Are you POLITICALLY
honest II not, you are bad citizen and a cor
rupter however innocent. OF public opinion. II so,
The standn I'd which you set Is a high one, worthy
~ limitation BY your neighbor. You are doing some
thing 10 educate public opinion.