Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1928-06-13
Timely Views
MORE INTEREST IN AFFAIRS OF NATION URGED
By THEODORE EBURTON
y. 5. Representative from OH

aA1NA tNANs
Theodore +. Burton was born at jefferson, o.
in 1851. After completing his studies at various
American universities, he was admitted to the bar
In 1875 and practiced Law in Cleveland, o. He
served as member Of the Fifty-fourth to sixtieth
congresses uS95-l9O9) from the Twenty-first Ohio
district He again was elected to the Sixty-first
congress, but resigned upon election to the United
States senate for the term l9D9-l9I5. After serv-
Ing his senatorial term, Burton again was elected
rs U. ). representative from the Twenty-seeend
Ohio district. He has served a. u. s. delegate Ia
the conference for control of traffic in arms at
Geneva in 1925. and is active in the movement for
promoting werld peace. His home is in Cleveland).
In the last century many Of the most helpful re-
forms in the political life Of nations have been initial.
ed by students in universities or BY graduates fresh
from their studies, Unfortunately, there has been A
most notable decrease in attention. to the political
currents Of the time, and a growing disregard for du-
ties TO the public in the last 90 years. This is clearly
manifested by the fact that statistics show practically
only one-half Of hose qualified to vote cast their bal
lots even at a presidential election, and at state and
municipal elections the proportion Is very substan-
TALLY less.
This is a reflection upon our political system and a
threat 70 the success Of popular government. How j.
a republic better than a monarchy unless its citizens
have constantly in mind their duties and responsible
ties to the state? Il must be said that in every recen.
years mere mas been n pronounced reaction against rep
resentative government and popular control, which are
the distinctive features our American system.
In our country. this must be recognized as an age
of unparalleled development in which there are oppor.
tunities heretofore unknown for the development of
the individual in fields o. industry and finance and in
almost unlimited variety of ACTIVITIES. The whole face
Of the country 5 being made new BY inventions which
rapidly crowd upon each other. This creates a desire
TO turn away from the uncertainties Of political life
70 the more assured rewards Of business, which grin
the attention Of a majority Of the people. Along with
this, there is the enjoyment Of a larger degree or
leisure, which, instead Of being devoted to affairs Of
state, is occupied with recreation, with sports AMI
amusements.
A former head Of the Institution from which Alex
ander Hamilton was graduated once declared, on the
return Of a victorious rowing crew, in a moment 81
ecstacy, that the members of the crew had brought the
institution more distinction than anything else in it,
history.
There is thus an unbalanced attention 10 athletics
and sports The development of aviation furnishes con-
slant thrills. We cannot too much admire the poise
and skill Of our own Colonel Lindbergh, who Il today
dessrvedly one Of the Worlds heroes; eur sincerest
sympathies are awakened for General Mobile and his
companions in their daring adventure and for those
who, in seeking TO cross the seas, have sunk into the
deep or have been lest in remote areas. All these.
however, tend to the nostponement Of things of greater
mement. taking avya that calm, deliberstive judgment
and regard for the general welfare which should be
characteristic of every people.