Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1922-06-25
HIGH STANDARDS URGED
FOR HOLDERS OF OFFICE
Miss Lucy II. Mason Pleads
for Stimulated Interest
in Politics.
SAYS Attitude CHANGING NOW
Declares League of Women Voters.
Having Paused Through StnRo OF
Rtdic,ilc, II Acknowledged to lie
Great Power for Good.
by Luc. . ndolph Mason.


ny I.uc- ndoiph Mason.
In the ear vs. Of Virginia his.
F., tory. politics ~. tho chile! interest
! trst concern and highest duty Of
many OK tho finest men OF the Colony
/ The statement in the Virginia Bill
OF Rights. that government Is. o.
ought 20 be. instituted FOR tho com
| mon benefit OF the people nation OF
( community" was accepted as 4
reality. The highest honor n mar
could earn was through faithful dis
charge OF public duties. Jefferson
Mason. Washington. Marshall. Madi.
/ son Monroe. and scores OF Other
/ brilliant, earnest and courageous
minds made thci~ contribution 70
puhhc life and helped build the foun-
dalton OF just and stable govern
mcnt.
Though it is evident that one who
faithfully performs a public trust de-
serves the puhlic's honor. yet poll
ties instead OF retaining its proper
meaning, belonging 10 citizens" has
often become synonym for pursuit
OF private gain through public of
fec. Many good citizens hasten TO
deny any connection with or concern
in politics. and they are especially
rcluctant To mix Their religion with
politics Yet every act OF govern =
m"nt-every law made or executed
every election or appointment to
public ohlce-is part OF politics and
should be- performed In the CON
scionsnes. that il Is done for tho
common benefit OF the people"
should Tie High Standard.
The pursuit OF political career
should he as honorable as any branch
of professional life. There is no rca-
SON why We should revere the names
OF our great political thinkers and
leaders ~ one and nifty years age.
and not have equally high standards
by which to choose orr political
leaders today. There should be a
nigh standard. not only Tor leaders.
hut for every man or woman who
NILS public Office. ror these Office.
holders are the trustees and serv-
ants" OF the people.
w" are passing through an in
'eresuug chang. in our attitude to-
wards politics and public men. some
of the long Indifference OF the aver
ng" citizen as 10 how the affairs OF
government are being administered
what policies are being pursued.
what sort or laws are being mad.
and how they are enforced. is dis
appearing. and in its place a healthy
interest in matters OF public concern
IS rapidly developing.
W"mnn Suffrage This Interest.
ono % tn" reasons for this re-
ncwed interest in politics Is the sud
den right OF suffrage given many
millions OF new voters. The woman
voter is asking questions FOR herself
and her interest stirs tho Interest Of
Tho man voter who may have been
hitherto compar ativcly Indifferent
Tn"r" is, however -omernlng deeper
than this, a NOR" Fundamental causc
for increased concern that govern
r'ent shah indeed he for the com
mon bcn"fi' OF the people"
The idea If dcmocracy-of the
worth Of tho Individual units
been said that the outstanding
thought - this century Is tn. cpl.
?hasis placed upon the worth Of per
S"nal!ty. !, was this expansion Of
ne democratic idea that made 1t i'm
possible 10 deny women participa-
lion ~ 'ha government. under which
'h"y lived And (, ia tho growth Of
mis- sam" democratic idca that makes
H""pl" al!E" 10 the interest of poli-
,ics-roll''rs administered Tor tn.
common n"neht Of the people"
80" u" INC opportunities. the needs
and possibilities Of politics. IN.
woman voter realized her own lin
.tatinns ia knowledge and expert
encc. and out Of her desire for grcat-
er service and efficiency in political
llf" grew The League OF Women
N"'"rs THIS organization was
formed FOR tn" purpose Of stimula,-
ing interest in public matters. pro.
vihing methods of studying govern
Oi"nt and citizenship. and for tho
further purpos" Of crystalizIng tho
good w! and social instinct OF
women Into legislation TOR the COM
mon h"ncht OF the people"
Acknowledged Power for Good.
In its lwo years OF organization
tn" L"agu" % Women Voters In the
states and nation has passed througn
10" customary stages Of rldiculc and
prejudice. Then into the stage Of
'o!cranc" and better understanding.
until today IL is acknowIedged as
one % tn" great p"w"rS for IntcIlI-
gent voting and clean politics.
IN" pledge or citizenship adopted
hy ~" National League 81 NVom.n
Eo'"f ends with THIS sentence. "To
regard my, citizenship rs public
trust when the voters Of Amer
'ca men and women can mako that
S"r, Of pledge. politics" viii he
com" 'Fnony'n FOR s"lf-forgotting
dedication to the COMMONWEALTH