Evening journal., 1913-06-11
SEES NEED OF
SOCIAL CENTER
Mr.. Jackson Says Good Citl-
y zenS Can be Made at
Such Gatherings

The Rev. r. l.. Jackson, pastor of
Hanover Presbyterian Church is a be-
lever in social centers' as the only
proper way in which the citizen can
gain a broad view OF political and
economic questions and form hs
opinions as TO what is best for each
particular community. MIR. Jackson
advocates the social. center" as the
real institution that will combine the
citizens to resist political machines
aid see that the government is run
for the benefit of the citizens. in
an address on the subject before the
Ninth Ward Civic Association on
Monday night Mr.. Jackson said:
"A social center may be defined,
as the common gathering place, the
head and heart quarters of the citi-
zens OF a particular community. II
represents the coming together
across all ground Of interest and duty
OF neighboring citizens. IL is a move
mont in the direction OF citizenship
on ganizatiOn. Dr. FolWcn, my old
university professor in a recent is
sue. says of the Review of Reviews;
i'lf democracy is to survive and pro
vide good government il must become
+ on Eanlfs NOnhllluAlOUdiiA VI EAHlNt
electors must be yisibly and physical
ly associated and possess an appara-
tus by which they can cooperate ef-
! feotiyely. Continuing he says: Now
our American electors have no leg
itimate organization from no society
A social center supplies the need Of
I just such citlzonship-orga
Citizens Not Organized.
I 1T is curious that everybody con-
! ceined in government is organized
but the citizens. The politicians are
organized. Business interests are
organized, but the citizens are nos
organized.
"The social center is the place
where prospective officials may .e
discovered and prevailed upon TO
serve their fellow citizens. Many an
able man is suffered to go undiscoy-
/ cred unless in such organization NJ
! Is given a chance to show his worth
and ability. And when he is discoy-
cred and induced to run for office
he is sure of the support neces-
sary to elect him Many a good man
does not want to run for Offive be-
cause of the humiliation consequent
upon defeat If he had the assurance
of a support which carried with Il
election he would nine times out OF
ten consent to run.
Then you say the social center
must be "a political organization? IN
the highest, widest sense of the word
yes. Why not? Every citizen should
be "a politician. Why not? What IL
politics but the science of govern
mcnt, and who should constitute th'
goyernment-the gang? The machine
Some private group of men?-well
that's about what the government
really is in many a city and State
The citizens should constitute the
government. The citizens should no
only pull the trigger, they shoulC
also load, aim and sight the gun
They should not only sign the checks
, upon their own accounts, they shoul'
also nh in the amounts.
Social centers where our citizens
= are free 10 come together. rich ant
poor, Democrats and Republicans
business men and professionals; man.
, are needed in Wilmington, now is th'
time TO start them all over the city
We want a new form OF government
We want to get rid Of politics in tn
narrow partisan sense. We want
new type of citizen. We can't go
them unless We go after them thrSugl
citizenship organization. Men wh'
stay at home and read about the do
ings of the City Council and the
Mayor or even read books upon muni
cipal government do not qualify 10
good citizens. They must get out ap'
come together and give and take il
open discussion and debate in socis
center. That is the way the right sor
OF citizens are made"