Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-05-14
FUNDS FOR ELECTIONS
Root Says 1t is Proper to Raise
Them.
VERY USEFUL EXPENDITURE
He Talks to Yale Men on Government
by Democracy.
ADMITS THERE ARE ABUSES
Believes There is Reason to Think
Mankind Is Entering on q
Great Struggle.

NEW HAVEN. Conn. May 14.-Secretary
Root spoke last night at Yale as Dodge lee
turer on THE task inherited or assumed by
members Of governing body in a democra-
cy." He scored citizens who are dereirct in
their duty at the caucus or at the polls on
election day. Such neglect he said, permit
ted demasogues, prejudiced persons and
those who seek the overthrow Of govern
ment to prevail on election day.
The greatest and most useful educational
process in the world he said, occurs
every few years in the United States when
during a presidential election some fifteen
million voters are engaged for months In
reading and hearing about great and diff
cult questions Of government and discuss
Ing and forming mature opinions about
them We sometimes hear complaints that
elections interfere with business and come
too frequently. Nothing else is 80 valuable
and important for business, because it Is
this educational process that is laying the
solid foundation Of sound Judgment sober
self-restraint. and familiarity with political
which the security Of all business depends
Doubtless there may have been abuses In
raising and applying campaign funds, but
In the main there Is no more useful expend-
iture of money from the public point Of
view than this, which In the last presiden-
lal election. according to official state
ments, amounted to only about three and
one-half cents per capita for the people Of
the united states on one side and probably
somewhat less on the other. for the great
bulk Of 1t is applied to the political educa-
ton of voters"
He Defines Government.
''The only way the individual can compel
the continuance of conditions under which
he and his family can live," he continued,
rs by combination with others equally de-
pendent with himself and by organization
for whatever control over those conditions
Is necessary. That combination and organ
i1atfon Is government. Under our popular
government the repressive function contin-
ues. but Is self-repression. Popular govern
ment Is organized acknowledgements
capacity for the development of the race
Heavy responsibility was assumed seri-
GUS danger confronted in adopting this
idea. that the masses. always subject to re-
preston. could be trusted to govern them
selves. We have fattered ourselves that
the American experiment has been q sue
cess: It has carried the demonstration
further than seemed possible to its enc
miles. and had Its effect on the constitution
OF government throughout the world
But we must not delude ourselves with
the Idea that our task is completed. Our
political system has proved q success under
simple conditions It remains to be seen
how 1t will stand the strain of the vast
complications OF life upon which we are
now entering.
Refers to Bryan's Program.
Notwithstanding that government has
proceeded hitherto with much respect for
inherited traditions and methods, 1t re-
mains to be seen whether democracies will
be willing to continue these methods or
will change along such lines as are fore
Swallowed by the proposals for the initia-
tive and referendum: and 1t remains to be
seen what the effect Of that kind Of gov
eminent would be.
After many centuries Of struggle for the
right Of equality there Is reason to think
that mankind Is now entering upon
struggle for the right of inequality It re-
mains to be seen how democracy will work
under these new conditions.
Zone thing we have learned is that the
progress Of the world has carried civfliza-
ton to point where we are voluntarily
trying government by seif-control. Reali-
cation OF the common interest Is essential
to the working Of the vast machine. Indi-
vtdual sacrifice to the interests Of the
state Is necessary. Our country Is not safe
in leaving unused any possible influence
and effort toward the maintenance and
growth of patriotic idealism and practical
loyalty.
''It is doubtful whether the higher aca-
depic education contributes much to ca
pacity for political usefulness. Political
wisdom comes as q rule best In life and
not study. and the tendency Of highly edu-
Gated men to neglect all political duties is
unfortunately too general"