Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1909-06-30
Phi Beta Kappa Grafton.

In the evening the annual Pn1 Beta
Kappa Grafton was delivered at the
Baptist church by Arsher c. Kinds of
Washington, D. c., clerk to the Speak
er Of the National House Of Represent
atives of the Glass of 'S3, and president
of the Maine Beta of Phi Beta Kappa.
Mr.. Kinds was introduced by George
Otis Smith, '93. also of Washington
and one of the vice presidents of Maine
Beta.
Mr.. Kinds theme was 1.-THE Prevail
ing Criticism of Legislative Bodies"
He said: .'---
After describing the spread Of
criticism of legislative bodies. Mr.
Kinds said in part: f~e
The legislative bodies are places
wherein, in modern times the dis
agreement and errors of the strug-
Cling and erring procession are
threshed out and brought to settle
ment. Viewed in this light, the
| magnitude Of the task before these
| bodies is more easily comprehended.
and the reasons for criticism are more
plainly displayed The legislature
will inevitably partake of the failings
and the errors of the people whom it
represents. No one will contend that
the Individual legislators should not
be held to account rigidly for their
doings, but our examination tonight
goes principally to that modern
criticism which questions the useful
ness and integrity of the institution
itself. At the very outset we must fix
firmly in our minds the fact that there
is nothing new in modern criticism OF
legislators or legislative bodies.
1T is safe to say that there has
been continuously a criticism in this
country that the best men do not go
to the Legislative bodies and 1t Is
fairly to be inferred that the best men
have been saying so themselves with
great earnestness and vigor Further
more there is usually a sharp contest
| among men for seats in legislatures.
with a choice often by narrow
margin. and so 1t Is evident that
| nearly half the people are apt to feel
that the best man has been left at
| home. Herein lies the natural and
powerful machinery for encouraging
| the sentiment which seems always TO
| exist.
"The severe criticisms Of the past,
| with our certain knowledge that the
United States has nevertheless gone
civilization, comforts us, even in the
presence Of the modern critics. Re
| teaches us that after all the decadence
which they discover, II it really exists,
has also been discovered long years
ago, even in the days Of the fathers,
the so called and better days OF the
| republic.
| 1T is extremely difficult to compare
| he ohn ~
men Of one generation with those of
another. but 1t is far within the truth
to say that within the average ability,
integrity and personal character ~
membership. the two houses y OF the
national congress are today superior
to any in the past. This ought to he
so In a nation that is advancing in ito
civilization. ideas Of business honor.
and the sobriety Of it's people. Speak,
ing merely from the experience Of
years. relatively few. with such
memories Of the past as can be
gathered by word of mouth from older
men, one witness at least believes thts
to be true. And yet 1t Is difficult to
make Roadway with this truth against
the outburst Of insinuatior and
criticism which comes from hundret
OF sensational newspapers a.
magazines, as well as from indiyid
leaders Of opinion, who know conr6
from a distance. and often out or
mouths Of disappointed men.
~ course city governuspe
legislature or even a congress, a.
times go wrong through the INCL
ence and neglect Of the PEI W."
elect their members This moIo
liable to happen in some ofthe ia.so
cities or states where n6ay OF ~.
people have not learned nave IT,
gotten the significance ofoar lns. g.,
tions. but there seems 50 reason ~,
believing that on the wbole tne iep Xii.
sentative bodies of AmericaM,sw W.
not up to the standaYEof our ,deal
compare very favorabiy with '"v ,s..s-
other countries. and are iar 49, 49,
than We ourselves believe nc ne. ~.
fish are fond OF telling US OF our oo ~,
ruptions. but II We MAD upon Oa,
statute books the severe iiDe' ,aws go
England, few would , Know - y those o who
know Of the corruptions IN tne n'uA.
II tcoutinasd on Psss Nshss