PRESENT CONDITIONS 263 



social world, and go about conscience free. Of earnest 

 care, of loving thought for that social world he shows 

 much too little^ He will scarcely trouble to cast his vote 

 in the elections ; if he does cast his vote, he is apt to do 

 so on some petty, passing issue, as on a matter not worth 

 much reflection. If the affairs of the city or the education 

 of its children fall into wrong hands if men of narrow 

 minds, and even of doubtful integrity, gather up the reins 

 of government, he only stands aloof the 



some low concern which does not much affect him. He 

 does not desire the doubtful honours of civic authority ; 

 he believes he is a better man than many of those who 

 seek them ; and their mistakes justify him the more, in 

 his own eyes, for standing apart from the unseemly 

 scramble._ 



Is this an exaggerated account of the state of mind 

 towards the city and its civic institutions of many men 

 who are honourable in business, kindly, generous, and 

 neighbourly in all the relations of their private life? I 

 think not. I believe you will acknowledge the facts. 

 I am not even sure but that some of you may feel inclined 

 to defend them. 



The matter is one we may contemplate with some care ; 

 for the destiny of the city nay, we can take a wider survey 

 and say that the welfare of the State as a whole- depends 

 in very great measure on the possibility of directing the 

 more serious and active interest of just these good men 

 upon its affairs.. This is particularly desirable in the case 

 of the good business men, whose life is directly practical. 

 For! do not think that the business spirit rules sufficiently 

 widely in the conduct of our civic and imperial affairs not 

 that we can lay all the blame upon the individuals who are 



