The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1920-11-12

| functions as do the minds of those
who elected him. His wisdom is NJ
greater than theirs. Though his in
tentions be guileless and his purpose
pure, he will err as men err in private
life. If he does not trust his own
judgment and appeals to those whose
business it is to advise him he is in
little better cases for they are also
prone to err. Mortals in high places
are rlortals still, and not one has vet
walked without wavering in the paths
of wisdom. ~,
Select four statesmen at random
and put to them fundamental ques-
ton of national policy. Select also
dentist, travelling man, retailer and
brick mason, and ask them to de-
eide the same question. Nine times in
ten the decision reached by the group
having less of dignity will be as wise
as the decision reached by the other.
One is grossly unfair who demands in
statesmen a greater degree of wisdom
than he finds in his business friends.
Concerning many matter statesmen
are guided by history and experience,
but each decade brings new problems
born Of new conditions. Where shall
they find an infallible guide?
We have railroad problem. The |
roads are in bad condition. They need |
capital for repairs, replacement and
expansion. The workers demand short |
er hours and greater pay. How shall !
the money for the roads be provided |
without imposing additional burdens |
on a sorely taxed people? How shall
the desires of the workers be met or
curbed without increasing rates and
thus increasing prices or making
general mess of things? Do YOU
know? Does anyone of your ac-
quaintance know? There are the
ores in plenty, but they remain to be
tried. If you have no wise solution.
and the sensible business man of YOUR
acquaintance can agree concernin.
none, what leads you to hone that
your congressman can find a wise So
luton? He is no worker of miracles
he is bat man.
There is the treaty. 1t also is the
work of mortals, and no sane man
contends that it is wholly just or Who'll
Iy wise. There are statesmen who
would accept it, statesmen who would
change it and statesmen who would
reject it: 1t is reasonable to suppose
that each is honest in his opinion, as
men in private life are honest in their
opinions concerning it. When it is !
adopted in some form it will lead the
world into uncharted seas. Neither;
statesman nor private citizen of this
can justly measure its
wisdom or folly. 1t will be buffeted
BY changing conditions, changing
deals and changing ambitions. Their,
s wise course to pursue, but lacking
Irvine inspiration the statesman will
,ate citizen.
What of profteers? Would you
solve the problem quickly by limit
ng the profit of manufacturers to ten
per cent? Small concerns with lin
ted output would go at once into
bankruptcy.
The present tax laws ore admitted
y vicious. Have you substitute that
Will get the money necessary for pub
nc business without imposing unfair
burdens or encouraging the practice
of extortion? If you have not, why
expect great things from your repre-
sentative or your senator? Heaven
gave them no greater wit than yours.
Our fault is that we have been try
ng to make this a government by
elected officials instead of a govern
ncnt by the people. We have gone
about our little affairs and left our
representatives to handle great af-
fairs, pausing only occasionally to
cold because they have not made
'iX OF two and two and found a paved
to Utopia.
Problems will be solved when citi-
,ens accept responsibility, learn to
hink, and cooperate heartily and
with the set of statesmen
hat happens to be in office. States
men have not lodged responsibility
more frequently than citizens, and
heir measure of blame for failure is
10 greater than that of citizens who
lave left them unaded to fight bat
les for which they have no adequate