The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1910-06-30
Honesty Hard To Enforce.

ferent category. but breeding corruption
and spreading insidious Influences. are
the efforts to secure and to hold improp-
er privilege. To one occupied with pub
lie affairs it frequently seems as though
the security Of the common interest Is
the most difficult TO maintain The
constant cndeaVor. prosecuted with re-
SrettaAle measure Of success. 20 place
men in public office who can be relied
upon 10 serve some particular interest
10 which they owe urinary allegiance,
has hOneycOmbed administration and
made our statutes 10 a large extent a
patchwork. OF special fayCTs.
'To De a minister Of Justice should
anywhere be a position Of dignity and
hoISr- 10 be a minister of Justice under
democratic institutions is a privilege OF
vocation which cannot be Outrauked.
But how SlOckinglE this privilege is *
nOTcd and this opportunity perverted 10
base uses when lawyers become legisla-
tors to write statutes Under-retaIuers or
10 employ their activities in poisoning
the springs Of government
Special Interests Must Beware.
'-Those who seek franchises are learn
ing. and must learn ever ia greater de-
gree. that fair and candid proceedings
are the best: that if they would have
rights. they must discharge duties: and
that If they would receive. they must
receive under fair conditions and give
just return.
In considering the trend Of our de-
mocracy we cannot fail TO note at the
present time the tenGSacy TO increase
the relative Importance and influence of
the executive department and the larger
measure of direct control exercised b,-
the people over the Observation-Disclosures of
government
This extension Of administrative bur
denS and facilities would of itself en-
H.H
ance Of the chief administrators in Ma
ton and in State.
Power of Executive.
But the ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Of the Exec !
Utive is not to be accounted for sim3!v I
in this way. 1t is rather that out Of the I
conflicts between competing interests or
distri IT'S the Executive energies as the /
representative OF the people as a whole. I
Within the State, for example, each
representative in the Legislature is en- /
oeaVorinS 10 obtain something for his |
own district in order that he may stand /
well al home.
The general sentiment must find a !
voice, apo in the course Of our expert |
enCe the people have come TO look to !
the Chief Executive for that voice. BY
his authority to recommend measures |
which he believes TO be Cf general inn !
MS recommendation with argument ana 1
appeal, ne commands a position Of ir- /
nucnce which IS not embarrassed bv /
district limitations.
The people look to the Executive TO /
speak on their behalf and to present !
that measure or policy as cogcntIv as
he may within the limits Of his coniti- /
tuuon3l authority.
More Than Party Leader.
fa
date Of POLITICAL party and represents
the policies % his party. He is. however.
more than a party leader The LOYALTY /
OF the people. Irrespective OF party, to
ward thcir GOV e-Hment. which he In
It's chief office so largely personffas.
tends 10 establish a relation between the
Executive and the people at large quite
distinct from that which he sustains to
his party.
Good administration is impartial. and
with respect TO IL the matters as 10 l
which our citizens differ are Of small
account compared 10 those as TO which
they agree.
Good Men Scarce.
tAs the people are entitled 10 look TO
him to lead, he is entitled to look to tine
people for support Upon public ap-l
proval his leadership depends. and in
fair appeal he finds the strongest inStrIi-
ment at his command
Government grows apace and the
strain OF its activity heighteus, but men
do not grow IN like proportion
We need something more than the
growing sentiment OF brotherhood I
something more team the recognition of !
our mutuei dependence essential as
these are 20 the tasks of democracy
the best thought ana the most uuSellish
effort Of educated America mus be
j.