Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1922-03-07
HOW THE GOVERNMENT SERVES.

The United States government entered into a
with one Of its young soldiers whereby it
it, to. pay the heirs Of the soldier SIC, 900 in case Of
his death. while III the service. The voting man
went to France and died there. He left no written
Will, but comrades who were with him testify that
lust before his death, and in the consciousness that
the end was tear, he told them what disposition he
wished to have made Of his property.
In a court iii the soldiers home town in New
York state this verbal will has been admitted to pro-
bate, the evidence of the %testator's purpose being
clear and convincing. The government will pay the
money as directed.
Government as an institution is denounced and
derjded. Governments do many foolish and some
wicked things. But here is a case in which the gov
eminent Of a great nation not only stands ready to
carry out its business contract with a very humble
citizen, but listens with attentive er to his diving
whisper, uttered in a foreign land, with the breaf
Of an ocean separating him from his own people and
with the tu1lult of a great war round aboit.
We often hear the impatient question: WHY
doesn't the government do something for the PEG
ple?' a government cannot enrich its people: It
cannot confer on them houses and lands and minis
ter to their pleasures. 1t cannot do these things be-
cause a government is an agency Of the people and
it cannot give to them without first taking from
them.
But government can and does serve its mem
bers by providing them security in the exercise of
their rights, a protection which is continued even
beyond the life Of the individual and extends to those
whiin he desires to be the beneficiafies Of his own
enterprise and thrift.
The young man whose purposes are to be car
ried out as indicated would scarcely think Of what
was involved in the carrying out Of his wish. He
was not concerning himself with social OF political
problems. His time was short, and he must dispose
stfntnarily Of the few concrete things to which he
could give attention. His problem Wa to state his
wish In the most effective way. That his purpose
should be fulfilled he took for granted. Yet to the
fu1fillr1ent Of that purpose there was Brought the
influence Of an. institution to the creation and
velopfnent Of which society had devoted Centuries 81
effort, to the building Of which great minds have
given theft Best thought and in defense Of which
n,ultitudes of men had given their lives.
Because we are accustomed to it, 1t seems a
small thing, bat essentially it Is one OF the greatest
things In the world that a private soldier, dying far
from home, should be able to feel the assurance thu
his government, to him a vague, irapersonal thing
would not only pay to the last penny that which |,
had contracted to pay him, but that 1t would respect
his wish as to how and to whom payment should be
made. II means that in spite Of all the mistakes
that have attended It's history, in spite Of all the de.
eminent; established by society for the equal pro-
teetiet1 Of all its members, guaranteeing to all thu
full exercise Of their rights, is performing such ser
vice as to command respect and inspire hope in al
mankind.
A Kansas court has ruled that a school boare
may not regulste the length Of, pupils' dresses. A.
William Allen White inquired, Whats the matte,
with Kansasf"
Scotland has just beaten Ireland in the ihterna
~ttiohal football. 1t IL not just clear whether Collin.
Tor De Valera will have to take the blame.
y M|EE HE 3REE#% ~ a. E&E E4.