Evening journal., 1916-09-05
THE BUSINESS MAN AND POLITICS.

MHoOh hdS Deeh SAID from time 10 time relative 10
ASAthe Importance and the desirabilty of business
taking earnest and active interest in poll
tics.
If our recollection right. Of the prn-
cpa features Of the address which Chief Justice Pen
newil delivered at the dedication of the Public
Building in this city had to do with that question.
His declaration in favor OF business men interesting
themselves in politics and ofice-holdng attracted
much attention at the time and evoked widespread
and favorable comment
In the editorial columns Of American Industries. a
substantial periodical that read in all parts OF the
United States. we find the following article the
business mans interest in politics.
The broad proposition on which our government is
based, and which its security and prosperity de.
pend is that every citizen should take active in
terest IN the politics OF the government Especially
is this true OF every man engaged in business hav-
ing business interests large or small at stake. The
welfare or the country is dependent upon the pros
perty and growth of its business interests its indus.
trial establishments Few laws are proposed and
business.
There is in the country class Of unthinking voters
and another class whose votes are a matter of bar
ter and sale Neither Of these two classes be called
good citizens It is them the demagogue works He
sWays the minimizing voter by various methods; he
buys the other The number OF the two combined is
very large and forms a very dangerous element, an
element which threatens the security of business
The growth Of socialism is largely due TO the fact
that the business interests OF the country take
tive steps to check II. Business complain OF OPP
pressive and what they have every to CALL
just laws. Every law Of that kind found its way to
the statute books through the neglect of those whose
interests were at stake. Had organized labor shown
the same lukewarmness the lack Of interest. not
of the great measures in their behalf would have
been enacted by Congress or by State Legislatures
Organized labor can find time TO think about, and
to take an active interest in politics especially such
as will affect its cause. while those whose money
operates and whose brains direct great business and
industrial enterprises may think but they do not act
1t Is true that when measure is proposed every
member OF Congress should regard it from a national
point OF view, view IL to its general effect the
country at large, but in the main he does not view
IT, He looks as 20 its effect on the voters especially
those of his district that is. the voters who
to the polls and cast their ballots He does not
for the voter; he has interest in him.
but rightfuy regards him not entitled to any par
ticular consideration. have been in large depart
ment stores and seen hanging in plain view OF the
shopper many placards reading: "If you do not see
what you want ask for IT," Organized labor has
acted on that principle II has not hesated to ask
for what It wanted. II asks for it before and after
the election. But business men are too much occu-
pied TO ask or TO oppose, before election what or
ganized labor or others may ask detrimental to bust
In the American Congress the number OF members
who have had large business experience is very limited
while the number who have an ambition to make them
selves notorious by introducing and advocating ex-
IRENE and impractcable measures is all large
In sections Of the country the pathway IN no
litical preferment along the line of railing at
"the Interests" talking about predatory wealth."
trusts" etc What the country needs most M This
time is business in Congress- more business
men in State Legislatures more business tax
ing an active part in politics. and more business
What is true of other sections of country is
equally true OF Delaware. In section our State
have business as a class taken a proper part in
politics manifested desire to hold Office that they
may assist in curing the evils OF which, from time to
time. they complain bitterly n in the past they
had done their duty in those respects many inefficient
would have been kept out OF office; many good
men would have been put in ofhce many bad
stupid laws would have been kept off the statute
books; many good and wise laws would have been
put in the statute books and much public money
that has been shamefuly and shamelessly stolen or
wasted would have been applied to beneficial pro-
jects.
In view OF the business importance OF the election
impending, it would be we'll for each Delaware
business man ask himself. at this time these two
questions:
Have l manifested in the past proper interest in
the political affairs OF my country my State my county
and my cty?"
as it not my duty to myself and to the public to
become active at and to assist in electing to
office experienced men who will put our public af-
fairs on a business basis and keep them there?'
The business OF State should not forget
that the inertness OF Efficiency with respect public
affairs supplies to Inefciency its golden opportunity
to demoralize the public service
II things are to be better the Delaware business
critic and become a determined political construc-
ZIONIST The trouble with him today Is that a rule,
he locks the door after the horse has been stolen"
The opposition, in debate. to the Child Labor bill