DARTMOUTH IN POLITICS
Department of Political Science
THE DARTMOUTH undergraduate appears to be taking an increasing interest in the processes of government. In response to that interest the College last year offered a course in American Government for freshmen, and 140 elected it, a number which this year reached 200. A corresponding increase has occurred in the advanced courses. This appears to be due first to a natural interest among the students, aroused by growing public attention focussed on government affairs in the press and on the platform. Coupled with this is a desire of parents that their sons should better understand a government whose functions are constantly growing and invading fields formerly reserved either to individual citizens or to state or local units.
It seems clear, however, that merely to equip undergraduates with a knowledge of governmental machinery is not enough. If the preoccupation of government with matters involving a high degree of specialized training is to continue, and if government, local, state, and federal, is to keep pace with the necessity for efficiency and honesty demanded by its increasingly complicated character, its personnel must be improved. Participation by our better trained citizens is essential if large parts of these new functions of government are not to fall under the control of at worst corrupt, or at best untrained and incapable men. It would appear to be within the legitimate sphere of activity of our colleges and universities both to foster this growing interest and to turn it, if possible, into the practical channel of improving the personnel and functioning of our political parties.
Heretofore the interest aroused during undergraduate days has usually been succeeded soon after graduation by indifference. On settling in their future home community, college men, although impressed with the importance' of their civil responsibility, have had neither the stimulus for, nor the practical acquaintance with, the possibilities of engaging in local party government, the starting point of effective activity in politics. With some special stimulation it should be possible to win the cooperation of such people, particularly if this were brought to bear immediately after graduation at a time when contacts are limited and the young graduate has ambition to make a place for himself in the community of his residence. A simple method is proposed.
IT CONSISTS in the selection of some two or three prominent members oF the community, where such men can be found, who are identified with the local alumni association and who may be interested in securing a list of recent graduates and laying before them at an informal meeting the proposal that they identify themselves as political party workers. The choice of the party, whether Republican, Democratic or Socialist, would of course be left to the graduate himself. The alumni representative would make it his responsibility to give such men a letter of introduction to the party committeemen or chairmen. It is believed that the latter would be ready to utilize this assistance in connection with the work of the organization, in view of the continuous need of securing workers, and that two or three active members of the local alumni associations would be willing to undertake such limited responsibility as is involved in this proposal.
The plan would call for but one meeting a year with each new group of alumni, whose names would be submitted by the alumni secretary. From that time on the determining factor would be the interest and willingness to work of such young alumni as have thought it worth while to secure introductions to the responsible party committeemen. There is no doubt that a number of men would not care to undertake the duties, at times strenuous, involved in party activities. But the program would be useful even if the number each year were comparatively small. Such a nucleus of college-trained men should wield considerable influence upon the policies and nominations of the parties after the space of ten or twelve years. It is not unlikely that some of them would become leaders in their chosen party and potential candidates for important political positions.
In order to try out the possibilities outlined above, a small number of colleges and universities have already instituted the plan, working exclusively with their own alumni. It is now proposed to approach alumni clubs of other institutions, so that a concerted effort may be made year after year in a number of cities. It is probable that a beginning will be made by at least a dozen more institutions this year. There is also the prospect of setting up a central office with a field secretary, whose task it would be to tie up the work of the separate institutions.
THE SUCCESS of the plan depends largely at first on securing alumni who can and will furnish the political contacts for the graduates. It would appear that Dartmouth, with the wide geographical distribution which now characterizes its undergraduates and alumni, should be in a position to undertake Such a plan at a number of widely distributed points. The interest among the undergraduates already exists. While undoubtedly the difficulties would cause a good many to fall by the wayside, there should be a nucleus sufficiently large to start in those centers where there are large alumni associations. Undoubtedly those alumni with existing political contacts may see objections to or possible further developments of the plan. Such objections or suggestions would of course be welcomed.
If an alumni response warrants the participation of Dartmouth in such a plan, it should be possible to begin with the class graduating in 1934. The experience of the other college groups will be available as a guide in future development, and Dartmouth could reciprocate from its own experience. If the task of the college is granted to be the preparation of its students to lead a full and useful life, here would appear to be an undertaking which would aid in its fulfillment. If successful it might result in recruiting into party activities a group of young people who would otherwise become simply routine voters, and in gradually establishing a higher level of political leadership.
ED. NOTE: Replies are invited, especially fromvolunteers among Dartmouth men who could participate in this program of assisting young graduatesto political activity. Please address communicationsto the author of this article, Harold J. Tobin, 312Thornton Hall, Hanover, N. H.
