POLITICAL OFFICE HOLDER MUST BE FAMILIAR WITH VIEWPOINT OF PEOPLE HE REPRESENTS

"There is a great need for college men in politics," declared Governor Channing B. Cox, LL. B. '04, in a recent interview for the CRIMSON. "I have found this out from practical experience. For nine years I was a member of the Massachusetts Legislature, and for four years was speaker of the House, and during that time I have found that college men were of inestimable service in many ways. In fact, a college education may be of tremendous advantage to a man who fills a high public office.

"In looking back over the political history of this state, we see that there have been many examples in recent years of college men in high public positions. Governor Coolidge was a college man, Governor McCall was a college man, and his predecessor, Governor Walsh, was also a college man. In fact most of the governors of Massachusetts have had a college education. Governor Crane is a notable exception; although one of the best governors the state has ever had, he was not a college man.

"Of course there is a great difference of opinion as to the value of a college education to one in politics. For instance I have known some people to complain because there were too many lawyers in politics. And then again from other sources has come the cry that there are not enough lawyers. I recall numerous cases where men whom I have appointed on legislative committeees have come to me asking to have a lawyer put on their committee with them. And I have had to reply to them, 'I can't give you a lawyer. I have had to put every lawyer on the committees which have to do with strictly legal matters.' And so, while some people are complaining because there are too many lawyers, the real truth is there are not enough lawyers of high ability.

"It is the same with college education in general. Just as there are some places in which a knowledge of the law is necessary, there are also many phases of politics that require men who have had a college training. But simply because a man has been to college, that does not mean that he is fitted to fulfill the requirements. He must have had a training that enables him to adapt himself to all kinds of circumstances and to all kinds of people. I have known men who have never seen the inside of a college building yet who are better educated than scores who have spent seven years at a university.

"In several ways, however, a college graduate finds it harder to succeed in politics than a man who has not had college training. In the first place, people expect more of him. Then again, when a man goes to college, he learns to appreciate literature, art, music, and society, and it is rather hard for him to turn aside from the enjoyment of all these things and to give the time to the practical consideration of people and affairs which is necessary for success in politics. Nevertheless, one who holds an office must devote himself to the people he represents, in learning their point of view, and in familiarizing himself with conditions about him.

"College men will find that they get a great deal of enjoyment out of politics in one way, and yet they have to give up a great deal in another way. Take my own example, for instance. I love to read better than almost anything else. I should enjoy it to be able to spend evening after evening in my library at home reading; but-goodbye! I have no time for that. The life that a man in politics must lead is one continuous rush. Going here, going there, leaving one thing only to take up another. But if a college man is willing to give up some of his pleasure for the sake of his work, he will find that he is needed in politics and that there is a great opportunity for him to do real service."