The Washington times., 1913-08-03
EIGHT ASK TESTS
ON CIVIC QUESTIONS
Several Suggestions Made For
Boys Who Want to Perfect
Selves in knowledge.

OF fifteen Boy Scouts of Washington
and vicinity whose applications are now
on file for merit badge examinations,
eight ask to be examined for the civic
badge, showing that residence at the
seat of the National Government has
prompted their interest in its workings.
The percentage is even larger than
these figures indicate, for some of the
other seven have already successfully
pc assed the civics test
While living in the shadow of the Cap
itol and the White House may give
Washington scouts an advantage over
their fellows Of other cities in some
respects, t is a decided handicap In
many other ways, for knowledge of
State. county, and municipal politics is
something they must get second hand.
Many of the Washington Scouts have
never seen a sample ballot nor watched
the crowds around a polling place. and
even the privilege of hearing the cam
paign orator Is denied them.
Nevertheless, a great many local boys
lave made a thorough study of the
way the Government conducts its af-
fairs and the examinations on this sub
Ject show but few failures. Should any
OF them in later years see fit to become
citizens of any of the States, they will
be unusually well equipped to take up
Suggestions Given.
Samuel A. Moffat, national field scout
commissioner Of the B. S. A, recently
prepared an article giving eleven sug-
gestions for scouts who contemplate
taking the civics examination, and
Washington boys who expect to take
this test will do we'll to heed them,
though they were prepared especially
for scouts who live in voting communi-
ties. The eleven requirements named
are:
State the principal citizenship re-
quirements OF an elector in your State"
Know the principal features of the
naturalization laws Of the United
States
Know no= ths President. Vice Presi-
dent, Senators, and Co24ressmen OF
the United States are elected an. their
terms of Office
Know the number of judges Of the
Supreme Court Of the United States,
how appointed. and their terms of Of
fee"
Know the various administrative de-
partments of the Government, as pre-
sented in the Presidents Cabinet"
Know how the governor and lieuten-
ant governor. senators, representatives,
elected, and their terms of office"
Know About Judges.
Know whether the judges of the
principal courts in your State are ap-
pointed or elected, and the length Of
their terms"
Know how the principal officers in
your town or city are elected and for
what terms"
Know the duties of the various city
such as fire, police, board
of health, ETC.
Draw map of the town or city
in which "ou live. giving location OF
the prin cipal public buildings and
points of special interest.
Give satisfa ctory evidence that yOu
are familiar with the history and
provisions Of the Declaration Of In
and the Constitution Of
the United States"
glance at these questions makes
it evident that they pretty nearly
cover a high school course in Civics.
and indeed there are thousands of
me II casting ballots in every part OF
the United States who could not an
swcr half of them. But scores of Boy
Scouts have gotten high marks on
just such examinations. though ii was
not without much study that they
were able to 40 so.