Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-08-07

performance of the particular duties in
question and not subject to impeach-
ment as he is in case of serious NAL
feasancc in the performance of those
duties. The latter is the conception of
the presidency held by Washington,
initiating our great experiment in po-
litical and personal freedom under the
constitution. 1t is the conception held
by Lincoln and Roosevelt, by Cleveland
and Wilson, and all other Presidents
of the past to whom history has as
signed n significant place in normal
growth Of our free institutions. 1t is
the conception of the presidency to
which, in case of success of the Demo-
cratic party in the coming election, my
own best efforts shall be dedicated,
with a solemn sense of responsibility
to the power above, to the people Of
the United States as a whole and to
the sacred oath of allegiance to the
constitution and the laws.
There Is, and will always be, use
full place for parties in the conduct of
free government; but any theory OF
government by party which must
weaken this solemn sense of personal
responsibility, or alter it's traditional
direction and turn 1t toward party or
faction, can only accentuate the possi-
BILE evils Of party. and thwart its possi-
BILE advantages. | am sincerely grateful
to the Democratic party for the oppor-
tunities of public service which it has
brought to me in the past, and for the
willingness which 1t has shown to ex-
tend those opportunities to a still great
er field ; but ! am glad to say that it has
always recognized that my official duties
were to the people as a whole, and has
t,, foI 70 fnt Ior
pretext of party responsibility, with my
right of personal judgment, under oath,
in the performance of those duties.
Educational Improvement Necessary
There must be an awakened interest
in education. The assumption that
things are all right is an error. There
Is more or less of a general idea that
because our school system generally is
satisfactory, and in most instances ex =
cellent, that sufficient progress Is being
made. The plain fact reveals two star
tling thngs-one, a growing defamation
in the ranks of teachers and the other,
the existence of $500. 900 illiterates. 1t
is true that 1 600 900 of these are for :
eign born. The army of instructors has
been more or less demoralized through
financial temptation from other activi
ties which pay much better.
We owe too much to the next genera :
ton to be remiss in this matter. Very
satisfactory progress Is being made In
several states in the teaching of native
born illterates. The moonlight school
in Kentucky has, in fact, become a his
toric institution. The practice has
spread into other commonwealths, and
bands of noble men and women are rem
dering great service. There should be
no encroachment by the federal gov
ernment on local control 1t is the
healthful, reasonable individualism oi
American national life that has enabled
the citizens of this republic to think
for themselves. and besides, state and
community initiative would be impaired
by anything approaching dependence
The central government, however, car
inventory the possibilities of progressive
education, and in helpful manner create
an enlarged public interest in this sub
ject.
Campaign Expenditures
There will be no attempt in this cam
paign to compete by dollars with oul
opposition. So many people have beer
In the money gathering business for tn,
reactionary cause that the millions al.
ready in hand are more or less a mat
ter of general information. All that WI
ask is that both parties deal in the ut
most good faith with the electorate ant
tell the plain truth as to the amounts
received, the contributors and the items
of disbursements. The public judgmen
in elections should be rendered aftel
the fullest hearing possible.
Each side has the right properly Il
present its case. This is n legi.
innate expense. There Is no narrow di
viding line between the legitimate ant
ilegitimate in political campaigns. On,
contemplates the organization and main
tenance of such facilities as are neces
sary to advise the people of the fact
bearing upon the issues; the other car
! ries the deliberate purpose to interfer,
! with the honest rendering of verdict.
How misguided some of our peopl
are. Recognizing that readjustmen
, must be made, they believe that the,
will fare better if they cast their for
, tunes with those with whom they deal
ON the base Of campaign contribution
| in days gone by. They do not sense tn
! dangers that threaten. The sort OF re
, adjustment which will appeal to on
self respect and ultimately TO our gen
, eral prosperity is the honest read just
ment. Any unfair adjustment simpl