SCIENCE IN POLITICS, 583 



aity is vastly smaller. As the poorer and more remote portions of our 

 country become richer and more populous, new colleges will spring up, 

 and the older institutions at the same time are likely to gain in wealth 

 and resources. This condition of affairs will, most probably, lead to 

 an increase in the scholarly element among our legislative bodies ; but, 

 be that as it may, another tendency in education more directly con- 

 cerns our argument. To-day most of our college graduates have re- 

 ceived what is known as a " classical " training ; in which science, as 

 such, has been allowed to exercise a minimum of influence. But 

 Science, nevertheless, is steadily gaining ground ; step by step it secures 

 wider recognition and makes a stronger showing in the college courses ; 

 and the inevitable result will be that in a few years no man can be con- 

 sidered well educated who has not at least a fair knowledge of some 

 scientific subject. That knowledge, moreover, will have to be gained 

 by modern scientific methods ; not from books alone, but by personal 

 observation of things themselves, with the microscope, in the field, or 

 in the college laboratories. In brief, the scholar of the future, what- 

 ever else he may have learned, will have received some training in the 

 observation of phenomena at first hand, and in the science of drawing 

 correct conclusions from them. We may, therefore, reasonably expect, 

 as one result of all these tendencies taken together, to see in Congress 

 a steadily increasing number of men acquainted with scientific work, 

 accustomed to scientific modes of thought, and capable of estimating 

 science at its true value, without indifference, and without exaggera- 

 tion. Such a state of affairs can not fail to exert some influence upon 

 legislation. It will provoke no startling revolutions, and, outwardly, 

 to superficial observers, its effects may be scarcely perceptible ; but 

 they will be none the less permanent and real Both in nature and 

 society the quiet forces are the strongest ; and reforms which are 

 brought about almost unconsciously are oftentimes the farthest reach- 

 ing. The results of a slight change in the mental habits of a Legislature 

 may outweigh the consequences of a war. 



Some of the results to be expected from the indicated change are 

 so obvious as to need only the barest mention here. Naturally, the sci- 

 entific work of the Government would receive more careful attention 

 and be more judiciously fostered than it has been hitherto ; its growth 

 would be more symmetrical, and it would come more certainly under 

 competent control. The legislation relating to coinage, weights, 

 measures, etc., would become more intelligent, for the law-making 

 power would be more directly familiar with the principles involved, 

 and prejudices would have diminished influence. Furthermore, every 

 legislative problem to which the scientific method of investigation 

 could fairly be applied would have an increased chance of wise, ju- 

 dicious treatment. Of course, I do not mean to imply that miracles 

 would be wrought, transforming human nature ; parties and antago- 

 nisms would remain pretty much as they are now ; only points of view 



