The Washington herald., 1907-08-25

sentative and orderly method OF handiihg
corporation problems.
He said in part:
For years there have been many
prophets of civic right-doing who have
been preaching good government and IN
slsting that citizens should take a more
active interest in public affairs. To-day
the American people are more alive TO
the Importance OF impartial and honorable
administration than ever before. Ihey
do not simply discuss II; they demand It.
While IN many communities admlnlstra-
ton Is controlled in the selfish interest
OF a few to the detriment OF the people
that which is most characteristic of our
present political life is the determination
that selfish abuse of governmental ma
chinery shall stop.
should Avoid Hysterin.
Our country may be nkened to a man
of excellent constitution and native vigor
who IS determined by a proper system Of
hygiene and suitable rules Of conduct 10
correct disorders in his system and come
as closely as possible TO perfect health.
And in taking account of his condition he
may have a pardonable pride in finding
that there is no evidence of decay in his
vital functions. and that there IS every
indication of fundamental soundness and
Of steady Improvement. II may be added
that the improvement will be much more
rapid if he aims 10 avoid undue excite
ment Of his nervous system.
When the public conscience is awake,
and, the people are no longer insensible to
their social and political needs, what is
most required is careful analysis of exist
ing evils, a true diagnosis and skillful
treatment Social and political affairs are
the affairs of men and women. of human
beings with their variety Of good qualities
and many imperfections. They cannot be
dealt with after the manner Of chemical
reactions in a laboratory. Despite all the
advantages of democracy, perfect scien-
tiic treatment of political conditions can
not be expected, for that would imply
perfect human nature. With that 1t would
be easy 10 realize happiness either with a
minimum or maximum of government
We necessarily deal with approximations
And we Americans, endeavoring 70 make
a true appreciation of present conditions.
may justly be proud of the high character
Of our citizenship and of the advance
which has been MADE, and with new
realization Of the preciOusness of our
birthTigLt and the serious Importance Of
determinedly 10 the work Of all necessary
correction.
Reason and Patience Needed.
Confidence depends upon the assurance
OF stability. BY stability is not meant
fixity OF things or relations, but steadi-
ness. II may be steadiness in motion.
Paradoxical as it may seem. human socl-
ETY. cannot be stable unless 1t is pro-
gressive. That is because growth and
progress Is the law of our nature.
Under certain forms of government,
stability has been maintained by force
exercised for the benefit Of a privileged
few and without regard TO the necessities
Of the great masses Of the people. In a
democracy stability depends upon the
reign Of reason, and It is the fact that
We are common sense people that gives
US assurance for the future.
Reason demands the facts. BY the
requirement of publicity is not meant
scrappy sensatiOnalism or distorted en-
phasis. It is the demand that public az
fairs and business which is of a public
nature because of its relation to the pub
lie interest, shall be conducted in the
light OF day, and that the public shall
have the truth. the whole truth and
nothing but the truth in regard to tie
matters that concern them. The emo
tons, in proper control supply the power
necessary TO accomplish results but the
Judgment must not be displaced by pas
sion
Reason implies patience. This IS the
hardest lesson for Democracy 10 learn.
II is not meant that unnecessary delays
should be tolerated. or that obstacles
should not be surmounted by determined
effort. It does not mean weakness or
paltering; Il simply means a desire to
bring about good order by orderly pro-
cesses; II means recognition Of our 1nu-
Iual dependence, of our complex relations
in society, and Of the necessity that our
efforts in social progress should not be
haphaZard nor spasmodic, but steady,
sober, and persistent. Reason fights evil
with the drill and precision of regular
troops.
Three Abuses of Power.
Care in making laws. and frmness and
impartlality in executing them, are the
securities Of our peace. Lax. corrupt I'M
intelligent, or vacilating administration
not only causes dissatisfaction, but IN
evitably leads to ignorant and extrava-
CANT demands. Strong. even-tempered
and dignified administration relentless
and impartial, favoring neither rich nor
poor. knowing no motive but its manifest
duty-cOmpels respect. and by the very
certainty Of its operations conserves the
public confidence. In this way alone can
We secure intelligent consideration Of ex-
listing defects or Of needed remedial meas.
ures. Pure and efficient administration IS
the foundation OF social progress.
Democracy has constantly to struggle
against three abuses. The first is the
abuse Of the freedom allowed for individ-
ual effort, This is illustrated by concerted
attempts on the part OF those who find
themselves IN a strong position TO put
others at disadvantage by unfair means
It is the business Of a free government
desiring so far as possible TO give each
individual fair chance. TO put a stop To
improper practices. designed 10 restrict
the area Of opportunity.
Then there Is the abuse OF privileges
received from the government itself, the
misuse OF public franchises granted upon
condition that they shall be used 10
benefit the public It is the business of a
free government TO secure the Just use
Of such franchises for the public benefit.
There is also the abuse of the system
Of government itself by prOstituting rep
resentatiVe powers 10 selfish advantage
I'VE have a republic only in name. il
those chosen 10 represent the people
serve other interests. We have had too
many men posing as the peoples choice
who were simply the representatives OF
particular business interests or the ap-
pointees OF a political leader put in office
10 do his bidding. Party organization
must find its bond Of union In devotion
to certain common principles.
I'VE shall always need 71olftgca1 Tea5o-