Newark post., 1914-07-22
EDUCATED MAN IN POLITICS


than at any time in the history OF
the republic. When we say poll
tics, we use the word in its broad
yet practical meaning. Living IN
a time when every question bear
ing on life, social and economic,
has been thrust into the political
arena for discussion and decision,
the best minds Of the country are
needed. Questions affecting the
manufacturer, the farmer, are vital
subjects Of political platforms. In
deed all phases Of life and profess
sions are affected. Time there was
and only few years ago, when the
manufacturer, the professional man
and the farmer left the details of
government to the Office holder and
office seeker. Especially has this
been true Of the professional man
and the farmer. The professional
man absorbed in his laboratory and
class room, left, with disgust, the
pickering details Of practical poll
tics to some ward or hundred poll
ticians.. The farmer took but lit
tie part, failing to see what inter-
ested organization could benefit.
He looks with alarm on pending
conditions but failed to sense his
power. He grumbles over his
Levy Courtman but fails to appear
at the primaries of his party. Both
he and his professional fellow citi-
zen have so neglected this civic duty
that they are unacquainted with
even the minor details of practical
politics. They know so little Of the
actual workings Of government
that they fail to effect any idea
they may have into legislation. 1t
is surprising how ignorant many Of
our college graduates are of the
simple duties Of properly exercis-
ing their franchise. The Arts and
Science man graduates, enters into
one of the professions, aside from
law, and he becomes so absorbed |
in his work that he leaves his duty
to his state and community to what
is known as the practical polite
ian. The Engineer graduates, en-
thusiastic in his profession and
fails to note the simple workings of
town government. And no less the
graduate from the Agricultural de-
partments. Interested in the
science, he goes out and increases
the products of the soil, leaving
the legislation affecting the social
and economic conditions Of the
farmer to those who make politics
a business. By his knowledge ac-
quired he has increased the crops,
yet is ignorant of ways and means
of securing or controlling legisla-
ton just as important. The loss
from this ignorance may overbal.
ance the gain from scientific farm
ing. Good roads, drainage, game
laws, pure seed, railroad rates,
school taxation, are all questions Of
vital interest to him. And only
can his influence be effective, by
knowledge of the practical politics
of his Legislative district 1t is
disgracefully amusing to see the
farmer or professional man appear
before the General Assembly to Sc
cure the passage Of bill. He is
absolutely ignorant or the simple
proceedings of lawmaking that he
is compelled to turn his idea over
to the politician. He is completely
at the mercy of the man who knows
the rules of the game. The law
maker, if honest, is his superior in
the respect that he is acquainted
with legislative proceedings. Yet
he may use this knowledge to de-
feat a measure that may mean much
to the general welfare. The result |
is that lack Of education and
knowledge Of politics retards civic
improvement to a considerable ex-
tent.
Aside from scattering genius,
the State can i'll afford to lose the
thought and practical everyday in
terest of our college men. The pro-
fesslonal man, the engineer, the
agriculturist, have no right to sell
fishly neglect these duties, un-
pleasant or exacting they may be.
state and social service demand
from these men the result of their
training in making theories into
practical legislation. 1t is not an
ideal situation, nor can we expect
any great social improvement when
the party government, with its
selection of candidates is left to the
hands OF the trade political Boss
Yet as it now stands, these men
are the only ones acquainted with
the details. And rest assured
they give it undivided attention.