Evening star., 1932-07-17
Bunk VS.. Facts in Politics


tory. Neither was the powerful Texas
delegation. When Mayor Cermak Of
Chicago tossed in the votes Of Illinois
and Indiana he was prompted by some
thing else besides the eloquence of the
Roosevelt supporters.
Accept as fact the overpowering
desire for the average politician to be
in the first row of the picture and add
to 1t the additional publicity he can get
through the instrumentality of the
microphone. 1t Is a combination party
managers would do well to take into
consideration if they expect the young
sters of today to take politics and par
ties and candidates seriously. Conven-
tionS, as they are now conducted, COM
mand about the same amount Of re-
spect that one has for a circus. They
are entertaining, even though they are
exhauSting, but brass bands and
thunderous organs are hardly con-
ducive to straight thinking and sound
decisions.
Opposition Is Essential.
The history of recent years had
demonstrated that a strong opposition
is essential to good government. Most
OF us believe that we can get out oi
our present troubles without resorting
to q dictatorship. Neither do we SET
any pressing need for the establishing
of a third party. Regardless of party
Affiliations, We do see, however, a grow
ing demand for a wider and more active
interest in politics. The country is be-
coming more inquiring, more cautious
interested at last in the things which
we're taken for granted. 1t is a natural
development, one bound to come at q
time when life is more complicated
when every individual is conscious OF
the fact that something has happened
to change even the simplest of his
activities. If the present generation
does not give more thought to the
political game than it's elders did we
are in for a sorry time indeed.
One Of the strongest indictments that
has been brought against the prohibi.
ton law is the hypocrisy which II
created. The political game is full OF
bunk and hypocrisy; its rules neec
revision. Instead of making votes BY
the presentation Of sober thoughts anc
sound arguments, the politicians are
inclined to resort to the employment ol
Jazz methods, to appeal to the emotions
In his speech Seconding the nomination
of Gov Ritchie. Richard Cleveland
SOll VI SlONcI SlcNcldIlQ, gave dIl lUcc
Of the attitude the thoughtful youth
Of this country has taken toward poll.
tics A farmer delegate from Nebraska
serious young fellow, he went before
the nicrophone without notes ano
made one of the most impressive
speeches of the convention.
1t Is obvious that there must be com.
plete freedom Of speech in democracy
a chance to air ones views. 1t i
equally true that there must be vel
managed political organizations. In
evitably. this side of the millennium
there will always be warning faction.
within party organizations. All thes,
points are accepted as facts by thos,
who would see change. What thel
ask for is nothing more than that tn,
public have better chance to lister
to reasoned arguments, to reach theil
decisions in comparative quiet. Man!
Of the delegates left the Democratic
convention feeling that they had under
gone the third degree.
! On the eve Of the switch OF the Texa.
and California delegations to the Roose
velt camp. Speaker Garner remarked
to q reporter: Politics is funny
There are few who differ with him OF
this point.