The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-12-06
PREPARATIONS FOR POLITICS.
President of Yale Gives Young Men
Some Information.


Arthur T. Hadley, in Harper's Weekly
1 am asked how it is possible for young
man best to fit himself for entrance into the
field of practical politics, and whether any
addition to present university courses would
help him; also, conceding the necessity Of
machine politics. how he can best learn
how to deal with them. l will give two or
three suggestions which have occurred to
me.
With regard to preliminary training for
men who expect to go into politics after
ward there is not great deal to be said.
The methods of getting into politics and of
staying in politics differ greatly in different
localities and with different individuals, and
the necessary training varies correspond
ingly. But there few things which are
of the very greatest use, and which can be
commended To all men who have ambitions
in this direction.
In the first place. they must learn to put
their thoughts into good plain English. The
ability to write and speak in such a way
that other people will understand just as
soon as possible Is, perhaps, more vital in
this field than ii is anywhere else. 1t is as
tonishing to see how readily the voters will
grasp at good idea Il IL Is presented to
them without unnecessary membranes.
am satisfied that much of the alleged re-
luctance of people in general to accept the
views of college men on some of these sub
| jects arises from the inability of college men
II 10 eXpreSS THESE views IN Sucn shape that
| they will be understood
Next in importance to a good knowledge
of English L should place a knowledge OF
how to look for facts which are not gener-
ally known. Whether this training comes
| through classes in history, in statistics
or In political economy. is a matter of minor
importance-it may even come through the
| use of Greek dictionary, which at times
furnishes most excellent practice in this
| very habit of discovering facts not generally
known.
| The next question is whether a man shall
begin his political life as professional o,
as an amateur; whether Ii shall be as O
| means OF livelihood, or an independent
| occupation. AS things stand at present, the
| latter course seems preferable. If politics is
| a mans only means of livelihood, the temp
| tations to sell his birthright for a mess OF
pottage are too frequent. L think / should
| advise a man who looks toward a political
/ career To train himself either as a lawyer OF
| as a journalist. and have one of these tive
/ callings To fall back on IL politics goes
1 against him for a time. should then ad.
/ wise him To find some leader whom he re.
/ spects and honors, and attach himself t6
| this mans fortunes. BY doing so he car
l probably learn methods of work better thar
| in any other way.
| 1t Is important for any man who goes into
| politics to remember that the tangible worl
which he accomplishes as a legislator oil
officeholder may be very small In compare
| son with his intangible influence upon pub
| lie opinion. Ii Is public opinion. after all
/ which is the main force that governs tn,
country. A man who goes into politics with
/ high and honorable ambitions must never
| forget that he can do this work OF educating
/ public sentiment tThe remembrance OF thi.
4 will save him from disbursement In tn.
| face OF apparent failure. and will give hin
| that widened range of vision and increased
steadiness OF purpose which Is necessary 4
make him q true leader.