Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-06-27
SAMUEL 3. SCOTT
On Young Mems Duties and Chances In
Politics


THE young man owes it always as a duty
i to his community, State and country
to take an active and intelligent interest In
politics, according to Samuel Il. Scott,
author of ''State Government in Pennsyl-
vania' and former member of the Legisla-
ture for several sessions.
II want to make a clear distinction,
however" said Mr.. Scott, between enter
ing politics as a business or as a means OF
livelihood and going into it in an effort to
modify or improve conditions. There Is no
more unsatisfactory way of making n living
than politics, as the amount of remuneration
which can be honestly earned is always
small and entirely disproportionate to the
abilities of the person capable Of being sue
cessful in it.
Even part of what he does make has
to be spent in election expenses and more or
less voluntary contributions. But IL a
young mans livelihood is secured in some
other manner, there is no more fascinating
field for effort than some sort of work in
public affairs.
Great Opportunities Now
"There is particularly fine opportunity
at the present time. 1t Is n period of very
great change and the war has set in motion
new currents of thought which will inevi-
tably have to be worked out in governmental
changes Of some kind or other. The men
who were prominent in affairs before the
war are old and are gradually relinquishing
their control and the men who are going to
be political leaders Of the future are those
who embOdy in themselves the newer cur
rents of thought. The nominations Of
Pinchot and bcverdge are simply indica-
tions of this change of thought.
''The entrance of women into politics
is another factor which makes for radical
changes The older politicians are apt to
expend most of their energies in trying to
keep the women satisfied and quiet without
rea lization of the fact that whole new
set of ideas must now be provided for in
public matters. The younger men who came
to political maturity of leadership at about
the time that women were given the right
to vote will consider it n normal matter and
will not misl"ad themselves by ignoring the
importance OF the women vote. The nom-
nation of Senator Reed. who is only about
forty-one years old, shows what is possible
for the younger generation.
No One Method
''There is no one way of getting into
politics which Is better than another bur nm
opening is always assured to any one willing
to do the necessary detail work. Politics il
n highly practical affair and the control of
votes is the final test.
1.-THE fundamental work for the beginner
Is to establish n wide acquaintance among
his immediate friends and neighbors. These
will then begin to look to him for political
advice, and before long he will have n proun
of voters who will take his advice upon ali
those numerous public matters upon which
the average citizen is not in position 10
make up his own mind The young poIjti
clan thus becomes a factor and Is recognized
as such by those responsible for the ad- :
ministration of the larger political units. ond
the way is open for him to rise as far as bis
abilities make possible.
political work is fascinating because II
deals with ever changing human nature and
because, after working for series of wears
il Is possible to see that slow Improvement
which always comes from unremitting and
dsinterested effort.
Necessary to COuntry's Welfare
"An intelligent interest in politics on tho
mart of the young men is absolutely neces-
sary to the preservation of the institutions
of the country. 1t is a true saying that in
q free country we get just as good govern
ment as we deserve. We certainly deserve
n very poor government If those with educa
tion and ideals remain out of political work
and in many cases do not even exercise their
right to vote. Especially in time Of
transition like the present 1t Is of the ut :
most Importance that those who represent
the older traditions and the older stock
should take an active part in all political
affairs.
1.-THE political heights TO which a young
man can rise depend greatly updn bis apti- :