The American Party System: An Introduction to the Study of Political Parties in the United States
by . New York: The Macmillan Co. 8vox+439pp. $3.00.
READERS of the Atlantic Monthly who are familiar with the career of Charles E. Merriam, Professor of Political Science at the University of Chicago, will recognize his fitness to write of the American party system. A sound and enlightened scholar, who has embodied the results of his studies in several books treating of political theory, familiar with the working of the party system in England and on the Continent, he writes with the advantage of a man who has also had practical experience with politics in Chicago; he was for six years a member of the City Council and was the Republican candidate for mayor in 1911. In consequence, the volume at hand, although Professor Merriam calls it an ‘ Introduction to the Study of Political Parties in the United States,’ and insists that his method is that of ‘objective analysis,’ has the flavor of humanized scholarship that distinguished the writings of the late Lord Bryce.
The first chapters, on the composition and organization of the political party, show by what means the power of party organization became greater in this country than anywhere else. The following chapters on the spoils system explain in detail the ways by which the ‘machine’ has maintained itself in influence. These are summarized in a chart which exhibits concretely the opportunities for graft enjoyed by a local boss in a city of 100,000 inhabitants.
The chapters on the party and the selection of official personnel aim to set in proper relation the dramatic periods of nomination and election and those quieter and more prolonged intervals in which ‘jobs’ are found for the ‘workers.’ who in turn work for the boss. Here, as in the treatment of the spoils system, the importance of administration and the loss resulting from a distrust of vigorous and effective government are set forth in moderate but convincing terms.
in this present month, with the primaries behind us and the November elections just ahead, we are in the midst of one of the spectacular periods of party activity. Perhaps our thinking on political themes, ordinarily sluggish, is somewhat quickened by the drama. If, questioning the future of our institutions, we read Professor Merriam’s concluding chapters, we shall find sober counsel that,although not blinking the dark side, bids us take courage. After all, we are our own masters; public opinion rules. The power of the boss through his control of patronage grows not stronger but weaker. Public sentiment against the spoils system has unquestionably developed, and even more effective forces have come into play.
The last pages of Bryce’s Modern Democracies are memorable by reason of the doubts which the author hazards as to the future of Democracy. The people, as Herbert Croly has said, are ‘innocent and easily diverted’: the problem is to impress upon them ‘the necessity of salvation.’ Who is there who would not be appalled at the task? Yet who would refuse to put his hand to the plough?
HENRY G. PEARSON.