The independent., 1907-03-07

l.
that they can be properly handled only
by men having especial aptitude and
training for them. Such men ought to
be carefully selected and then, when
tried. kept constantly in public life
until their age renders them unfit for
further public service
For public life has become profess
sion in the best sense So far-reach-
ing, profound and numerous are the
problems constantly arising that the
best thought and most careful and
continuous study by our statesmen are
indispensable to their solution The
nations legislator can no longer at
tend to his own affairs during the con-
gressional vacation If he gives intelli-
gent attention to the business Of the
republic; for these periods when con-
gress is not in session are the only op-
poftunities he has for study and in
vestigation This latter cannot be
done during the sessions of congress-
then Is the time for action.
1t is quite plain, then, is it not?-
that, If the nation is to be well served,
the people must choose for public office
men naturally gifted in statesman
ship, and then keep them in the SER
lie life.
But the poor man cannot do this,
even il the reopie want him, unless
the luxury of living in the nations
capital Is reduced. Tho rich man can
Of course, bccaCsc expense is nothing
TO him. And president, senate and
house composed Of rich men might run
things admirably rather think they
would But it would be government
by an oligarchy of wealth, to the ex-
ciusion Of poor men. Very well. We
do not want that sort Of thing in
America.
SO it would seem that the people
must make up their minds to keep
rich men out Of public life except
those rich men of such extraordinary
qualities Of craftsmanship as to make
1t national misfortune if prejudice
kept them from serving the republic.
May it not be Lest for the American
people to defeat at the polls and in
the legislatures vastly wealthy mGa
who have not these distinguishing
qualities Of stat asmanship?
IL this is the best course, it is easy
TO see that this process should begin
with men whose money is their princi-
pal recommendation to office, as well
as the strongest lever with which they
lift themselves into power. If this
should become the practice of the
American people, the nation would
still have the service of the rich men
who are real statesmen, like Washing
ton, and also of the poor men who are
real statesmen, like Lincoln But If
this is not done, the republic must be
exclusively governed by the lords of
gold who may be statesmen, may be
hgurehead, or may be something else.
There is no use shutting our eyes to
these conditions. The alternative is
as Interchangeable as fate; either the
rich must be kept out of
public Office or else the republic must
be deprived of the labors of those ma
tural statesmen, not favored by finan-
cial fortune (such as the great men of
our past who are today developing,
as they have always developed and
always will develop from among the
people. Either our govern
ment, as a practical matter must be-
come exclusively government of rich
men or else rich men must be kept out
Of government by the votes of the peo-
pie, except always where their quail
ties of craftsmanship are notable. Yes,
than the exclusive conduct of the gov
by the rich men, and that is
the participation in the conduct of the
government by poor men whose pow
arty. joined to the impossible prices of
living in Washington, tempts them to
get money in improper ways.
Discussing the whole subject. one of
these wealthy public men of most adj
mirable qualities for the great office
he holds said. after all there are
places in Washington where man
IAN live on his salary" The answer to
his of course was that while this |
might be true. he would have to live |
N such quarters and on such food and |
in such discomfort as to |
make life hard for himself and posi- /
lively uncomfortable for his family. |
Again no man can do his best work /
who Is in perpetual state of apology |
Ind humiliation. still again his con-
ltituents would hc ashamed ~ such a |
condition of living II they knew about /
L.
Also such n public man is at ain un-