The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1935-10-30
VOTE-CETTERS'
WRECKINC u, S.,
LECTURER SAYS
Americans Not Capable of
Governing Themselves,
Professor Claims.

Today the United States needs
fewer vote-getters, fewer "organiz-
ers of discomfort" and more lead
ership by aristocratic minds, Louis
K. Anspacher, Columbia University
professor, told Rotarians yesterday
in the Claypool
Seven years after George Wash
ington retired from public life he
stated that Americans were not
capable Of governing themselves, -
said Mr., Anspacher in defense Of his
subject, Democracy and Irresponsi-
bility."
The trouble with a democracy
is that it puts the power in the
hands Of voters and, as a result,
vote getting has taken the place
of political vision" he stated
The ariStocratic minds needed to
do the best Job of governing sell
dom have a chance to be elected
he said. But great leaders often
are named to the appointive posts
and the Supreme Court is the best
example, Mr. Anspacher asserted.
I'VE maye be thankful that there
are few appointive Offices left to
give our best minds a chance to
serve he said.
Praises Beveridge
Your Senator Albert Beveridge
was an example Of the ariStOCratic
mind-the type that makes the best
leader. With him we should name
such men as George Washington,
Alexander Hamilton, Thomas JEFF
ferson, Thomas Marshall, Charles
Evans Hughes and Franklin D.
Roosevelt" Mr. Anspacher declared.
Thomas Carlyle said it was the
everlasting right of the foolish to be
governed by the wise. And we find
that whenever we need wide vision
we inStinCtively appeal to the aris-
tocratic minds-the men who think
beyond the Huey Longs and Father
Coughlins
1T unfortunately is untrue that
all men are born free and equal.
In good weather any cabin boy
thinks he can sail the ship. The
storms produce the leaders.
The League of Nations question
is not something for the whole, ig-
norant majority to vote on. You saw
what happened when we all voted
on prohibition.
The trouble is that democracy
docs not believe in great men 1t
gives its palm to the yote-getters.
% AS an example of the nations
great indoor sport" of passing
laws, Mr. AnSpacher told of a
statute now on the books in a MID
western state.
Hits Multiplicity of Laws
This law says that when two
trains, going in opposite directions,
both stop at station, neither train
may move until the other train has
cleared the station. Democracy is
afflicted by multiplicity of laws,
observed Mr.. AnspaCher.
Political graft enters a country
in exactly the same ratio as that
country becomes demoCratized. The
best examples are the United States
and France. The English can not
believe the extent of our graft-it
is unknown in their country" he
said
Il love my country and I hate to
see it go the full length of utter
characterization, concluded Mr.
Anspacher. L believe in democracy,
but not to the extent where great
minds can not achieve eminence.
Let us have rule by both democracy
and aristocracy."
Preceding Mr. AnSpaChers address
the new officers of the Rotary Club
were installed and introduced Omar
S. Hunt, new president, received the
gavel from Edwin r. HiSey.
Other officers are Ray F. Crom,
first vice president; William M Eel
Ter, second vice president; Audley S.
Durham, secretary; Gwynn F. Pat
terson, treasurer, and Robert E
Poehner, Sergeant-at-armS