Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-05-14
FUNDS FOR ELECTIONS
Root Says It 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
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 q governing body in q democra-
cy." He scored citizens who are derelfct in
their duty at the caucus or at the polls on
election day. Such neglect. he said, permit
ted demagogues. 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 fs SO valuable
and important for business. because 1t is
this educational process that Is laying the
solid foundation Of sound Judgment sober
self-restraint. and familiarity with political
questions among the governing mass upon
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-
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
Duik OF II 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
Is by combination with others equally de-
pendent with himself and by organization
for whatever control over those conditions
Is necessary. That combination and organ
lzatfon Is government. Under our popular
government the repressive function contiu-
ues. but Is self-repression. Popular govern.
ment as organized Observation-Disclosures
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 success under
simple conditions. It remains to be seen
how 1t viii 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 L. now entering upon q
struggle for the right of inequality. It re-
mains to be seen how democracy will work
under these new conditions.
"One thing we have learned Is that the
progress Of the world has carried civiliza-
ton to a point where we are voluntarily
trying government by self-control. Reali-
cation Of the common interest Is essential
to the working Of the vast machine Indi-
vidual 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.
at Is doubtful whether the higher aca-
deruic 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