Martinsburg journal. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1920-1977, 1921-06-17
CALL is IMPERATIVE
Must Understand, Improve
And Administer Problems II
Efficiently. u,


An understanding of democracy In
the light of the present age. whose
Influences have affected the origi..
nal conception Of the term as ex-
emphhed in America, the improve.'
ment of democracy TO make 1t real
as well as a theoretical proposition
today, and the assignment OF ca-'
pahe, trained men to the posts OF
responsibility under this new democ-'
racy are the needs in our national
and governmental life today, accord-
ing to DR.. Enoch Howard Vickers.
professor of economies at the Uni
versity at Morgantewn. who used,
these ideas as the basis for his adj,
dress mt the commencement exer.'
cises of the Mnrtinsburg High School,,
Yesterday afternoon at the Apollo
Theatre. The opportunity to present
the case seem timely, he said. be-,
cause the graduates. upon the threshs,
hold Of their active participation in
civic affairs, needed to got proper
conception of these rroblems,- ~,
conception which is not to be FOUND
in history but must be made with
full knowledge of the changes which,
have come since the earlier defintsI
tions of democracy were written.i
Refers to FaIlacies. ap&61
As evidence of the misconception|
Of democracy in the country he ref
ferred to several interpretations
which he regards as fallacious
among them that conception which,
holds that H numerical majoritM
rule is necessarily n democratic rulas
"a view which is fallacious. he said
unless that majority Judgment IT.
made with full understanding OF the
issues upon which it is passing, and
ia not n snap decision: that con-
ception which views government an
an opportunity for rotation In OF.
flee, based upon the "spoils' sys-
tenn; and that conception which
holds for a strict equality IN every
field of life, the fallacy OF which.
he said, is proven by the failure OF
the theory in soviet Russia.
Democracy in tho future will mean
equality of opportunity, he said, So
war as is possible within the falll-
bility Of man. The principles enun-
ciated in THE Declaration OF hide.
pendenee are not the final word in
democracy. he added; the idea back
Of them remains true today as then.
but the principles must be interpre-
ted in the light of modern conditions.
The keynote of modern life, he said.
is interdepondenco through which
all people, individually and in class
es, recognize their responsibility In
looking after the welfare of their
brothers and ut tho same time con-
cede to others IN interest in our
selves. The unity OF lift which
must be seen even in the ever
changing complexities Of life must
ind 4 home In the hearts and minds
Of the people; and when that Is true,
lie said, wars may be abolished. but
until that is true no pacifism for
me-" he declared, adding that there
are things worse to bear than the
costs of war. He said he believed
in personal sellishness. modified by
the hope that the schools would so
enlighten the selfish views rs to
make people realize their depend
cnce upon others and recognize ths
essential unity OF mankind.
Practical Features OF Democracy.
Speaking specifically of some OF
the duties of democracy he said
clean streets. satisfactory sewer
systems, and attention to standards
Of health stand out boldly as first
duties, with pure water or school
children, ample school facilities and
SuCn attention to the fundamentals
of right living as to make the sys-
TEN compatible to that German
efficiency which has long been the
object Of American envy. These
things are to be accomplished most
readily through the application Of
science, he sald and the fact that
they cannot be realized in day
should not stand as a source OF
announcement because it would BIZ
only human nature to be discon-
tented if there were not room for
Improvement in conditions.
l)r Nlckers added word of ap-
pfov7l to the move to secure new
'gah school building. intimating that
lN=r Use attitude in this matter
would prove pOund-foolish in the
'nd. The way to stimulate interest
~ school matters, n" said, ia to i'm
prove the school work and attract
he young people
He spoke strongly against the sys.
tenn Of making executives for prom,
inent places merely because these
appointecs have been personal
friends or sool fellows or party co.
WORKERS or merely to keep the rota.
tion IN office; and his recommended
corrective wa civil service exam.
Uaiou2 with The policy Of keeDing
in Office those men who show their
9liltv eYon thou"h they may not
FEE party men.