Dartmouth in Politics
PLANS UNDER WAY FOR GIVING ENCOURAGEMENTTO ALUMNI INTERESTED IN PUBLIC LIFE
DARTMOUTH-IN-POLITICS" is the name commonly given to the effort to increase the participation of Dartmouth alumni in the political life of the nation. The movement began several years ago, with an appeal through this MAGAZINE to those alumni in both parties with political contacts, asking for their support in introducing young alumni into the political life of their communities. The response was encouraging. Several men with different political affiliations, who were engaged in politics, were then invited to speak to students concerning both the need of general participation in politics if a democracy is to function successfully, and the pleasure and stimulations of political activity even for amateurs engaged in it. Among these men was Philip Bowker '23, of Brookline, Mass. These talks interested the students, judging from the attendance and the number and variety of questions asked.
Following these talks, an offer was made to the members of the graduating class to provide them with political introductions after graduation. The results were disappointing and puzzling in view of the interest in politics shown at the meetings. During the 1936 presidential campaign, Republican and Democratic student clubs were organized, and a number of men campaigned actively in Vermont and New Hampshire for each party. Clearly there was considerable political interest among the students; there remained the task of channeling it into politics after graduation.
Talks with individual seniors made it clear that one major reason for the apparent lack of interest among the seniors was that they were too unsure of either their residence or their occupation or the amount of time or energy available outside their jobs. From the records of alumni of earlier classes it was found that political activity waited until the job and the residence looked permanent.
INQUIRIES To YOUNG ALUMNI
The next step was to circularize the men who had been out from one to three years, who presumably would be better established. About 1600 letters were sent out, covering all the graduates of the classes of 1934, 1935 and 1936, making the offer of introductions to alumni with political contacts in their vicinity, who in turn would introduce them into any political party they might choose. Approximately 200 replies were received, which gave a revealing picture. About fifty of these men asked for immediate contacts with the Republican or Democratic organizations, several with the American Labor party in New York, and one or two specifically with La Guardia's organization.
Forty men who replied were still in law school, and indicated their desire to affiliate with a party after graduation. Fifty others were in medical school, or in some graduate school, preparing to teach, in most cases expressing the thought that they were thus permanently barred from participation in politics. A few others expressed violent distaste for politics, and a small number registered complete despair. Nearly a third of the whole number of replies came from men who felt their occupations debarred them, such as teachers in public schools, or who were interested but felt themselves unfitted temperamentally or otherwise for political activity.
Brief selections from a few of the replies indicates the gamut of opinions expressed. The first strikes a common pessimistic note: "It doesn't make a great deal of difference which party I might be active in. In the remote chance that I might accomplish any social good by being active politically, I would pick the Republican party I hope you don't think .... that I intend to rise to a position of political power I am merely in accord with your ideas that the success of its members to co-operate with interest and activity."
Some men feel their ignorance, but are anxious to learn more of practical politics. The following is typical: "During the past few months I have discovered that (this state) is a political beehive. I visited the State Legislature a month or so ago; had an opportunity to get acquainted with many State Senators and Representatives; and left the State Capitol with a bad taste in my mouth. I was surprised to see the number of uneducated men .... who were trying to solve the difficult problems of government I certainly do desire to make contacts which will help me to participate actively in local, state or national politics." It later developed that this man had not even registered as a voter until after his decision to go into politics.
In several cases it was discovered that men had already gone into politics on their own, sometimes with a group of college men. This letter came from a midwest city: "A group of college graduates banded together for the purpose of studying the conditions of local politics and conditions in general. It is a non-partisan group which hopes, by learning more about the government, to keep alive public interest in maintaining the better kind of government and politics this city has enjoyed in the past ten years We do not feel we are sufficiently informed to attempt any public movement or to attract much attention to ourselves by that method. Possibly by the time (of the next city campaign) we shall be ready to help the campaigns of the better candidates "
ALUMNI RECORDS USEFUL
The next step after analyzing the responses was to provide the alumni contacts for the men wanting to make them immediately. Here the broad acquaintance of Prof. James P. Richardson '99 was very helpful. The College Alumni Records Office for several years has been building a file of names of alumni with political experience, and from this list appeal was made to those located most conveniently to the men who were to be helped. Alumni were called on from all the New England states except Rhode Island, from New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Missouri, from Washington in the far west, and from Alabama in the south. The responses were uniformly favorable; frequently the appeal was referred to some other alumnus more favorably situated, and occasionally to a nonalumnus, but in no case was the appeal refused or ignored. It must not be supposed, however, that all were enthusiastic in predicting success. Probably the low point in enthusiasm was reached in the letter from an ex-officeholder from which the following is taken: "It has been my observation that to get anywhere in politics you must be a 'joiner' and a 'back-slapper,' both of which are extremely distasteful to me. .... Politics apparently require a candidate to make almost any kind of a campaign promise prior to the election. How many of these promises are ever kept? .... Graft and dishonesty are rampant everywhere in politics It absolutely destroys a man's independence "
Contrasted with this, however, the majority of the replies were favorable, and many were enthusiastic about the idea. Here is an example: "I sincerely appreciate the fine work you are doing in the Dartmouth-in-Politics movement. I have felt for some time that college did not do enough of this sort of work and that the young men who came out of college were handicapped in that they did not know how to go about getting into active politics and the result was a distinct loss to themselves and the country. I shall appreciate co-operating with you at any time in helping your movement."
Every one of the fifty young alumni requesting help was thus provided with an introduction, either to an older alumnus or through him to someone personally known to him. At this point it became clear that some of the men had less fervor or more stage-fright than they had suspected. A few failed temporarily at least to avail themselves of their introductions, and a few more apparently were content with merely presenting themselves, but will perhaps do nothing further. Pending reports after the local campaigns of this month are over, no final conclusions can be drawn as to the effectiveness of the group which finally stuck. It is however definite that at least some of them have carried through the purpose of the movement.
Some conclusions can already be drawn at this point. One is that there is a widespread interest among the alumni, both older and younger, in the idea of working up a broader participation of college men in political life. It is clear also that a considerable number of alumni have broken their way into politics—a large enough number to be useful in paving the way for others. On the other hand, the younger alumni who are interested either hesitate to enter, or are actually prevented from entering politics due to uncertainty as to their jobs or their residence or both. From these facts it appears that a more fertile field for cultivation is the classes graduating from four to perhaps ten years ago, which will be the next point of attack.
GENERAL COLLEGIATE MOVEMENT
Interest in the problem of drawing college trained men into political life is not confined to Dartmouth. A survey is now being undertaken by Dean William E. Mosher of the Syracuse University School of Citizenship and Public Affairs to determine the existing extent of such interest, as a prelude to a general country-wide attempt to develop it along the lines of the Dartmouth experiment or by whatever means seem most likely to succeed. The early response has been enthusiastic from the privately endowed institutions, though some of the state universities and colleges are fearful of the charge of involving their institutions in politics. The latter,1, quite as strongly as the former, however, feel the need for action, but are dubious concerning the wisdom of their forcing the issue locally. Several have indicated the intention of attempting to work through their own alumni as Dartmouth is now engaged in doing, and considerable interest has been manifested in the outcome of our efforts.
Through a grant from the trustees of the College, Dartmouth's efforts will be continued until the canvass is more complete and the verdict as to success or failure is more clear. Interested alumni have aided continuously by furnishing information on local political conditions and personalities, and by making practical suggestions for carrying on the work. A continuance of such help is hoped for, and is indeed essential for success.
BUSY CORNER AND A NEW CAMPUS PATH Freshmen, distinguished this fall by a gray and green 1941 class hat, use the renovatedCollege Hall for meals in Commons while upperclassrnen throng the new path (center)which leads betiveen Commons and Robinson Hall to the popular Thayer Hall, newupperclass dining center.
Professor of Political Science
