An article by Ellis B. Usher, of the University of Wisconsin, in a
current magazine, says the vote of the State is steadily falling off. In
the year 1900 the percentage of votes cast to the voting population was
a fraction above 74. In 1912 the percentage had fallen to 46½, and in
1914 it was only 43. Professor Usher attributes the steady decrease in
the number of votes cast to the disgust of the voters with the primary
election laws and other meddlesome legislation. “We have attempted,” he
says, “to substitute machinery for citizenship. We have cumbered our
statute books with laws, and expected them, unaided and automatically to
create citizens faithful to their duties. Instead, this new machinery
has proved an annoyance, and a restraint upon the electorate, and has
defeated that untrammeled action by the voter that is of the highest
essence of citizenship.”
* * * * *
In his address at the annual meeting of the United States Steel
Corporation, Judge Gary the Chairman of the Board of Directors, said
there had been quite a general feeling that the government of the United
States had not pursued a well defined and consistent policy toward
business, but that on the contrary it had been the policy of some of the
governmental agencies to interfere with, to delay and obstruct natural
progress; to punish and destroy rather than to regulate and encourage. He
thought there were signs now of a fairer policy, and consequently of a
better business outlook.
* * * * *
Jose Cascales Munoz, ex-professor of sociology in the University of
Madrid, Spain, has issued an eloquent plea for peace. He says that
disarmament can be brought about only by an agreement of the stronger
powers and the formation of an international army to support the
decisions of a world court to which all international disputes must be
referred. For the establishment of such a world court a world conference
would be necessary. Professor Munoz thinks that if even three strong
nations could unite for the formation of such a world court the others
could gradually be brought into line, and little by little the work would
be made perfect.
* * * * *
The New York Peace Society has sent a letter to President Wilson setting
forth the Society’s views on national defense and armament. The letter
was signed, among others, by Andrew Carnegie, Oscar S. Straus and Jacob
H. Schiff. It declares that the United States needs a powerful navy for
defense, but never for aggression, and that our systems of national and
state militia should be extended on such a basis as to constitute an
adequate land defense.
* * * * *
Prof. Kuno Meyer, speaking of the recent activities of Japan, says: “This
is a golden opportunity for Japan. She realizes that the European nations
cannot interfere with her and that America will not.” This is attributing
selfish and material motives to Japan. If she is animated by such motives
it is certainly an opportunity for her to push for the hegemony of Asia
while the nations of Europe are cutting each other’s throats, and the
American nations are anxiously waiting to see what the effect of the
great struggle is to be upon the Western Hemisphere.
* * * * *
A correspondent of a daily paper suggests that automobiles be equipped
with “cow-catchers,” or some device which would throw any unfortunate
pedestrian, who happens to be run into, aside, instead of drawing him
under the wheels. This suggestion is worth considering. A cow-catcher on
an automobile might not be ornamental, but if it would save human life
the owners and operators of the machines could stand a little ugliness.
Besides, there is sufficient ingenuity among auto-builders to make a
device of that kind that would not be positively hideous. If properly
constructed it would often save property as well as life and limb.
[Illustration:
_The_
BILTMORE
NEW YORK