Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-09-08
Public Service.
BY THEODORE z. BURTON,
United States Senator from Ohio.

1SAANS~1
The most significant fact which has
thrust itself upon. my attention during
my 40 years of public life has been the
diminished interest In politics and civic
affairs. Our country affords such OPP
portunities in business and industrial
life that career In one of these lines
presents greater attractions for young
men and, in a degree, for young women.
The great need of the present time Is
a greater interest In political and civic
affairs. With each succeeding presiden-
tial election this interest has seemed to
be revived, but in the interval of four
years it has relaxed. sometimes. almost
to the vanishing point. This is illus
trated by the news appearing In our
daily journals. Sometimes but very
few paragraphs are given TO public af-
fairs or the activities Of men In politics
or official life. while page after page Is
given to sports. OF late. of course. avia-
ton has a stronger grip than almost
any other topic, and this is likely to
continue for considerable time.
3. History Cited As Valuable.
The educational equipment of youth
about to enter the field of public service
should be q thorough mastery OF the
history of our country, particularly with
a view to its institutional or political
side: thorough study of political econ
omy and of the machinery of govern
ment The ramiflcations Of public con-
troll are far wider than they were 40 or
so years ago. The Government is now
participation In almost every form Of
human activity and. according to all
present indications, this tendency VIII
increase 49, ,
No person can expect to succeed in
,.oiiffnaI life ,,y41ece he has a hYNeA rNYT1-
prehension of human nature and has
sympatf1ies with the aspirations and
conditions Of all our population. Many
are entirely disqualified for political
service because their interest is not in
men and women. but In some particular
subject which has q greater attraction
for them. 1t is sincerely to be hoped
that an increasing number of both men
and women will take an active part In
politics. many Of them seeking public
office. But to hold ONCE is not neces-
sary for useful participation In the pub
lie life of the country. New problems
are constantly arising. and every one
who has to do with politics should have
a forward look. -
g ....ae Honor Is Asset.
The financial return in public life
must not be expected to be as large as
in private employment-that is. for 2
person Of marked ability well qualified
for either A certain degree Of honor
attaches itself to public ONCE. Compe-
tition Is very sharp among candidates
for off1cial positions. 1t has been a
source of scandal that so much money
has been spent In primaries and cleo
tions In recent years. The necessity Tor
spending large amounts of money In
order to be elected restricts the incum-
bents to two classes-those who have
large financial means of their own ana
those who accept contributions from
others. This latter method of obtain
ing money for political campaigns is a
fruitful source of corruption. 1t places
a candidate under obligations from
which he cannot easily disentangle him
self Possibly personal friends, or those
who are interested In some great cause,
may contribute literally. and 1t is
earnestly to be desired that this be the
rule rather than the exception.
The beginner In public life should
look for hard knocks and discourage
ments. He will be constantly subject
to the temptations of disregarding his
principles and shaping his course so
that he will please the greatest NUMBER.
Every person who Is candidate for
office desires to be elected and he de-
sires to obtain the greatest possible
number of votes. This should by no
means be the standard however. 1t Is
better for one ambitious for public Of
fee to 60 down to defeat rather than
to abate one iota of principle.
I think I may discern certain
amount Of idealism which has appeared
in our public life though sometimes II
takes the form of fads and impracti-
cable plans rather than that which is
really helpful to, the public. ANY one
who suggests improved forms of admin
istration, who adds to the comprehen-
sion of great national problems, who
promotes the cause of peace both with
foreign nations and in our own public
life. is a public benefactor: and any
career which has any Of these objects
in view affords field of the utmost
helpfulness for the country and OF real
distinction for the one who engages IN
the public service with these, great ENDS
In view.