THE HE Society for Political Education has been organized by citizens who believe that the success of our methods of government depends on the active political influence of educated intelligence, and that parties are means, not ends. It is non-partisan in its organization, and is not to be used for any other purpose than the awakening of an inteillgent interest in government methods and purposes, tending to restrain the abuse of parties, and to promote party morality on both sides. Its organizers number both Democrats and Republicans, and are generally agreed upon the following political convictions: The nation, parties, and public men, must keep good faith. The right of each citizen to his free voice and vote must be upheld. Office-holders must not control the suffrage. The office should seek the man, and not the man the office. Public service, in business positions, should depend solely on fitness and good behavior. The crimes of bribery and corruption must be relentlessly punished. Coins made unlimited legal tender must be of full value as metal in the markets of the world. Sound currency must have a metal basis, and all paper money must be convertible on demand. Labor has a right to the highest wages it can earn, unhindered by public or private tyranny. Trade has the right to the freest scope, unfettered by taxes, except for government expenses. Corporations must be restricted from abuse of privilege. Neither the public money nor the people's land must be used to subsidize private enterprise. A public opinion, wholesome and active, unhampered by machine control is the true safeguard of popular institutions. Members of the Society are not necessarily required to agree with all the above. The Society will carry out its objects by issuing annually, for its members, lists of books and tracts on current political and economic questions; enlarging the Library for Political Education; organizing Auxiliary Societies for debate, study, and correspondence; forming Reading Circles; urging the instruction of the young, in the public and private schools, academies and colleges of the United States, in the first principles of economic and political science, and aiding teachers with advice and information. |