The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-10-10
SOCIAL CENTERS.

The words naturally suggest the drawing
room or the club house. We have so limited
and lost the real meaning Of the words that
when We use the noun society or the adjective
social we almost nstinctively think of Ger
tain set in the world of fashion or pleasure or Of
certain spirit disposition that makes
man co.npanonable. But In this case we are
employing the term in a political sense. and
It has every right to be so employed Society
In its broadcast meaning is the public and so,
cial is descriptive Of that attitude Of mind and
heart that disroses a man to mnge with his
kind in the various plans for human better
ment is a member OF society in much
larger than that Of merely holding
membership in some fashionable set and he
can be social whether he cares for the german
and the banquet not.
The social eenters' Of which We are speak
Ing refer ia modern movement to popularize
politics. to bring the people into closer touch
and give them wider acquaintance with and
day In short it is movement to gather
communities into fixed meeting places and sup
ply the stated opportunities to assemble
and discuss politics
The scheme is based upon the assumption
which is true one, that the average voter
knows little of and is less interested in politics
He votes when he has been stirred UP by an
exciting campaign But he votes certain
tickets rather through habit from personal
considerations than otherwise. When there is
no campaign he is wholly ignorant of and
unconcerned with what is going on He turns
the whole business 10 the politicians
The promoters of this plan believe that this
Is the peoples government, should be, and
that the only way by which the government can
become the peoples is by organizing them and
educating them TO a high conception of their
responsibility and opportunity Over against
the organizations Of machine politicians and
various interests seeking privilege at the hands
of the government. these men would set a dis
interested and patriotic organization of eiti-
zens. This organization will discuss policies
will watch the Of the public servants
will keep in touch with conditions. will see
that men are qualified 70 exercise the right oil
suffrage II seeks 10 make every man in a
worthy politician.
The plan has received the enthusiastic en-
dorsement of such Woodrow Wilson
and Senator La Toilette and has gained great
headway in some of the Western States. Lead
N ers In the movement are at present seeking
{ its establishment in New York
Politics has been synonymous With Office
holding Unauestionaby the political ma
chimes Of all parties and all States have beer
directed and dominated by office holders. II
control could pass from interested Office hold
ers and their henchmen to disinterested citi
gems. political conditions would be vastly i'm
proved But II is an exceedingly difficult thing
to sustain interest in political things among
average men They have their business anc
~ other CONCERNS demanding their time ant
thought The Office holders get their liyint
d out OF politics Its their business They Civ
constant and close attention TO il because il
il their living This distinction explains the
chief diffculty of popular government And
any plan that promises more intelligent and
widespread interest In the affairs of govern
rnent IL we'll worth a trial
THOMAS RICHARDSON. COLORED.