The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1909-02-22
Mr.. Taft Declares That Present Incumbent of White
House Has Awakened the Public Conscience
During His Term of OfGce-Speaks
In Philadel pha.

responsible for the thoughts and ideals
OF the young.
How Influence Is Felt.
Another way in which the profcs-
sionaI teacher may exercise great indi-
rect political influence is in the encour-
agement that he ought to give to the
young men of college age and life in tile
study and pursuit OF politics. Every cur
riculum of every academic institution
now includes the study Of political econ
omy, the study Of sociology, the study
Of government. and often the study of
constitutional law
These taken together. with the pO-
litica1 history Of England and the
United States. cannot but arouse in the
minds of most American students an IN
teTeSt in the Government OF their COun-
try and in present-day politics TO the
point of taking part in them when OPP
portunity Offers It is most encOUrag-
ing to know the great attention that IS
given today in all the universities to the
encouragement of political and eCOnOml-
cal discussion among the students and
the eagerneSS with which they read and
listen TO those problems, the solution oil
which is giving the men IN actual po-
liuCal power anxiety and labor
"A third profession which exercises
some OF the functions of the ministry
.
of the writer. His profession may be
/ literature and embrace the poet, the
/ historian, the novelist, the critic, OF
may be Journalism, and include the edi-
/ tor, correspondent, and the news gain
I erer or city reporter
Writing Is a Profession.
I'm many respects writing is pro.
| fessiOn; in others, when it is reduced
| merely to the purveying and sale o.
news, il is a business. When conducted
/ on the highest plane it eXerts as much
| influence for good as the ministry, and
has a wider range, and indeed has
probably robbed tho profession OF par
| Of its usefulness, because it has become
a substitute for it with many persons
| and many families Its power of pub
! lie instruction is very great, but Wnel
! il pandeTs to the vulgariSt taste 70
| sensatiOnalism and becomes entirely ir
! responsible IN respect TO its influence 70
good and its statement OF the truth ~
peruiciOus tendency is Obvlated only b,
the power or the people to protect them
selves against IL by a safe discrlmina
( ton and a healthy skepucism and
Clear understanding Of its recklessnes
and baSer motive.
! The close relation between Journalism
ard politics and the carrying on of
government 10 one who has been Il
the slightest degree familiar with TN
course of popular government ca
THE people demand TO know VIVA
their servants IN the legislature, IN tn
executive and on the bench are doing
and the chief, If not the only, methO
by which they are made aware OF >Jh
character of the service rendered {
them is through the press
Color Sometimes Unjust
, The unjust color sometimes give
r through jauudiced editors and CORES
pondents has an injurious effect, bU
fortunately in the number Of newspa
b. pers ard in the variety of motives tina
: affects those who furnish the news sue
T injustice is generally remedied. TIL
I great body Of the people who have dis
eliminating common sense are enable
/ to reach with considerable accuracy IN
= | truthful verdict and judgment in T,
spcct 70 political affairs.
4 The next profession for considerable
, ! in its relation 10 governmental matter
! is that OF medicine. Until very recent
/ " its influence has been practical
: nothing in q professional way.
There have been physicians WI
> have given up their practice and gOr
into politics, but there was some ira
Of theirs adapted to success in polite
that had little or nothing 20 do with tr
= practice OF their profession They han
4 become more interested in gOverumeI
9 Of late years because the functions
6 government have widened, and now eli
5 DISCe IN q real anu SQDSldLLldt way II
Z / preservation Of the health Of all Il
q / people.
q "rPhe effect which imperfect drainag
=, ! bad water. impure food, iI-ventilatt
o. houses. and a failure 10 isolate col
! tagiOn has in killing people has b
I come more and more apparent with Il
study which great sanitary authOriti
= have given 10 the matter and has in
o posed much more distinctly and VI
: I eqUivOcally the burden upon nuniCipa
u State, and Federal Government OF loo
= ing after the public health.