The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1924-02-07

struggle long since devoid of useful
ness, while many give it no consider
alton at all. The writer will say
at the start that he does not favor
organizations OF this nature even the
sponsored by citizens of prominence
and will endeavor to analyze those
unhealthml conditions political and
social which all hundred percent Am
orleans wish TO see cleaned up, and
show that no great perpetual organi-
cation of any democratic nature can
hope 10 accomplish these ends faster
than 1t can raise our standard of citi-
zenship.
10 get down to brass tacks,' no
sane man expects, under ordinary
circumstances, TO get something for
nothing. The price of liberty is vigil
lance We are not paying the price
of ideal political and social condi-
tions. Most of us feel that we do
well If we provide all the necessities
and some Injuries in our homes. We
trust our citizenship to professional
statesmen and politicians. Under
standing that we can little hope to
offer sufficient inducement to guaran-
tee this trust, we place checks on all
governmental departments. But only
recently have we awakened to the
need of Federal Budget System of
financing which holds each depart
ment strictly accountable for its ex-
penditures. We have public opinion
led by the organized churches as a
whole. and the press to hold account
able for our local conditions. With
good schools we have channels
enough to reach our ideals. We need
betterment along established lines,
but no drastic changes.
1t may be ideally argued that we
can advance more rapidly by each
deyoting his entire efforts to the pro-
duction of such goods as he is best
fitted. In citizenship, this is the
generally practiced policy Of letting
George do It," Let us look back
to the pre-war period, to the rapid
strides made by the German nation.
The trust placed in the government
was betrayed; there was no redress.
Germany plunged into a dismal abyss
from which she herself claims to he
unable to rise alone.
In their stern experience our faith
ers established form of government
which is fundamentally sound. We
may not rise by leaps and bounds,
but we are pretty sure to be going
| forward steadily. We are awakened
to our duties by the regularly recur-
ring political calendar. The free
press makes it impossible for notably
INSCRIPTIONS candidates to be put
| forward even tho an INSCRIPTIONS
machine may dominate behind the
scenes. The latter is obliged to keep
It's ear well to the ground lest it be
too daring;t like the noted Tweed
Ring of New York and awaken that
saving grace Public Opinion before
which 1t must wither.
Our government is >soundly con-
structed then, II slow In its course
of action, and needful of minor
changes and additions as time points
the way. These chances for petty
graft and mismanagement lie in the
path OF every Unfortunately select
ed organization. We have pointed
out that its benefits are not free, nor
can those of another Organization be
more so in proportion to the effects
derived. That great principle of De-
mocracy in which we have profound
faith thru the inevitability Of the law
of action and reaction directing the
force of public opinion will keep us
on a fairly even keel so long as we
pay the price. A cleaner society de-
mands a higher price. If we desire
this betterment, as the Khan urges,
let's get to barking up the right
tree. And that is not the tree of
increased factionalism. but the tree of
better enlightened and more vigilant
citizenship!
Why destroy what we cannot re-
place? Criticism Is valueless as
such unless it either presents itself
or stimulates the presentation by an
other of something better. II we
may assume that the exception proves
the rule, any religion is better than
none. We have a fair chance to dem
onstrate the value of our own. All
orderly religions are productive of
some good. We Professionals may set
an example of neighborliness~ and
square dealing, il our Catholic fell
lows do not beat us to 1t, which will
awaken a friendly response. Good
is productive of good; evil never.
Summarily. we have proposed Or
ganization of similar construction at
best, running along parallel lines to
those of our government. One has
been demonstrated to be expensive
to maintain; the other promises to
be. The price for the betterments
effected by either is dependent upon
the same factor, vigilance as citi-
zen or Klansman. We need but one
organization manifestly, our establish
ed government backed energetically
by good citizens regardless of race or
creed, or station in life.
"(Mr. Elliott, the author of the
above, came here from Newton. Mass,
about three years ago to become prop
rietor of Eaton Mountain Farm on
tho LHotn,, piduo rnoI