The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1932-03-26

selected from educational, fraternal,
professional and civic groups are be-
ing formed to insure the effective
distribution Of the current materials.
The movement is to be supported by
membership organizations in every
state of the Union and is to be di-
rected by 80 trustees, selected every
year from the men and women at
the head Of the various state organi-
cations established by the society.
Many of the scores OF letters re-
ceived show that the feeling exists
in congress that the stimulation Of
the peoples interest in their govern
ment and the improvement Of teach
ing government in schools and COL
leges are regarded as Of equal i'm
portance.
Excerpts from the views Of sena-
tors and congressman regarding the
knowledge and relationship Of the
average citizen to his government are
interesting. Here are few:
Senator M. M. Logan, Kentucky:
1T is my deliberate judgment
that the greatest menace to our
nation exists in lack of knowl-
edge on the part of the public
generally about public questions
and governmental affairs. There
is little taught in our schools and
colleges that enables the student
body to obtain comprehensive
knowledge of duties of citizen
ship. 1t is the day Of the dema-
gogue who could not thrive If the
people we're informed about pub
lie matters. Earnest officials
often lack courage to do that
which they know is right because
the general public does not un-
derstand the motives and pur-
poses which prompt them"
Rep. Hatton w. Summers, Texas,
chairman of the house committee on
judiciary:
Il believe we have entirely ex-
aggerated the efficacies Of the
mandates of legislative bodies.
We are utterly confused as to
where the constitution Is, rs to
where the government is, and APP
parently are ignorant Of the ma.
tural laws which govern govern
ments. Due to this fundamental
ignorance and confusion. the ca
pacity Of the people for self
government is being lost through
its non-uSe. The states are be-
coming governmental vassals.
and the federal organization a
great bureaucracy functioning
through an appointed personnel
utterly impossible of popular con-
troll
Senator Cordell Hull, Tennessee:
Unless the American people
can be induced to awaken and re-
turn to the duties and response
bilitieS they owe their govern
ment, the stability of our institu-
tionS may be jeopardized earlier
than most people could possibly
anticipate"
Senator Wesley L. Jones, WASH
ington:
Il think that special emphasis
ought to be given the duty of
every citizen to vote both at the
primary and on regular election
day. The voting privilege is not
neglected by the poorer people
and those of average intelligence
so much as it is by the better ed
ucated class Of our people. I be-
lieve that the highest duty Of
citizen in times Of peace is to
exercise his right in determine
Ing the government We shall
have. The fact shows that in
most instances not more than
half OF the people discharge their
duty. This is not from ignor-
ance but apparently pure neglect
and I think one of the great
things that your society can do
Is to awaken the people to this
duty and responsibility"
The list of quotations could be ex-
tended almost indefinitely. There
are scores Of them, and all of them
contain the hint that it would be
easier for congress to do the right
thing in any set of circumstances II
the people were sufficiently informed
to know what the right thing is.