THE DEMOCRACY OF NATIONAL CONTROL 

 By Burt P. Kirkland 



It is of timely interest to compare democracy in the States with that 

 of the Federal Government. In the case of State democracy it is 

 quite possible, I think, to show its actual workings somewhat as fol- 

 lows : 



In the school districts the more capable citizens quite generally refuse 

 to serve on school boards, with the result that men of mediocre ability 

 are elected, with a consequent narrowing influence on the schools. 

 This is true in general, except for the school boards of the larger 

 cities, which are usually controlled by business men who are inclined 

 to manage the schools from a class standpoint. 



In county administrations the commissioners are almost universally 

 of the politician type, since no one else is sufficiently attracted to run 

 for election to these positions. The result is that county affairs are 

 usually handled with marked regard to the personal political fortunes 

 of the commissioners. The outcome is too well known to need ex- 

 planation. 



In State governments we have again the politician type as the one 

 who, as a rule, finds it worth while to seek election, and State affairs 

 are controlled by politicians chiefly with a view to political fortunes. 

 The history of every State legislature is made up mostly of a futile 

 striving of the people to secure the kind of administrative action they 

 wish, action which is seldom attained. 



It is a fair conclusion that in all these cases democracy, if indeed it 

 can be called such, has so far been a relative failure. It is extremely 

 doubtful, moreover, whether a better basis of State government will 

 be attained in the future. Certain it is that large financial interests 

 within the States generally have had a preponderating influence in 

 State governments. 



Comparison with the Federal Government brings out certain con- 

 tracts. The honor and dignity attached to membership in Congress 

 usually brings into the contest for such honors men of real capacity 

 and often much of the highest grade ability within the States. When 

 it comes to the chief executive of the nation, there is no question that 

 with very few exceptions the most able men the nation has had at its 

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