Wayland Central School - Hi Lites Yearbook (Wayland, NY)

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The KICK-OFF 1925 our government—our very existence? Would these same people hesi- tate to give themselves up to Uncle Sam, if that very same constitution were in danger of foreign oppression? The memories of 11)17-18 are all too recent for any disagreement regarding this subject. Little do they realize the harm that is being done to the morale of the whole nation by the continuous violation of this law. Why do they wait for such an ex- tremity as war to display their valor and patriotism! Sound reasoning will disclose the fact that people are no worse today than they were fifty or a hundred years ago. What, then, is the cause for this flagrant disregard for the law? Ignorance and thought- lessness constitute the chief cause and the only remedy Uncle Sam can apply is education. Xow let us be a bit more optimistic and view the accomplishments of prohibition. It has enabled many a man to take his foot from the brass rail of a bar-room and place it on the accelerator of an automobile. It has led men to prefer the entertainment of a radio in their own homes to that of the cabaret. Through it savings bank and insurance records have been smashed. Through it homes have been re-united and children have been given a better chance than formerly. Contrary as it may seem to the rules of ethics I have left woman until the last. Upon her devolves the duty of carrying out some of the tasks herein enumerated. She must acquaint herself with the qualifica- tions for the various positions which are to he filled. She must famili- arize herself with the past records of those candidates for whom she votes. She must take an active, alert interest in politics. She must make politics clean. So by giving the suffrage to women, the nineteenth amendment may be said to have come to the aid of the eighteenth. Let us return to the law observer, the citizen. Here, too, is need- ed a reconstruction. Far more important than law enforcement is law observance. Before the cloud which has fallen over us can be lifted, there must come to the whole people a new conscience—a more reverent feeling towards law and law observance. Much has been said, volumes have been written, but little has been done in regard to this subject. Law enforcement like charity must begin at home. Neither China, nor any other nation, can solve the problem for us; we must do it ourselves —not fifty years from now but NOW. Abraham Lincoln has very aptly said, “Let reverence for the law be breathed by every mother to the lisping babe that prattles on her lap; let it be taught in schools, seminaries and colleges; let it be written in primers, spelling books and almanacs; let it be preached in the pulpits and proclaimed in legislative halls and enforced in courts of justice.”

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The KICK-OFF 1925 Let us now turn our attention to the consideration ot law en- forcement and law observance. At present there is a tremendous need for more and better law enforcement. No one will gainsay so urgent a need. With uich realization comes the question, “How shall this need be met!” The most feasible solution of this gigantic problem is: Elect more efficient office-holders, men and women with moral backbone and stam- ina, men and women with moral courage to withstand the offers ot bribes which come at one time or another to every office-holder. Let us send to our legislatures men and women who shall have the courage ot their convictions, faith in tin right, and the undaunted coinage to do what is right. However, in order to obtain this better class of men and women we must pay them better salaries. What worthwhile man is go- ing to give up his business or profession for the paltry sum now paid to members of state legislatures when he can earn far more at his own business? The result of this is that we are sending an inferior, incom- petent class of people to make the laws by which we shall be governed. What wonder, then, that we have some ot the laws which now exist. Such a condition should not exist in the wealthiest, most prosperous na- tion on the face of the globe. Vet, it does. At this time a consideration of the courts ot justice would not come far amiss. The most urgent need here is for a complete elimina- tion of politics from our courts and again the necessity ot paying better salaries. Let us purge our courts of polities, pay our judges and juries fair, equitable salaries, and elect to the bench only those who shall have plainly exhibited good firm moral integrity. Few ot you failed to ask yourself why the two youthful murderers of Chicago were not given the full extent of the iaw. Doubtless you answered this satisfactorily to yourself. Only when we have on the bench men morally sensitive to duty and the welfare of society will fairer decisions be handed down, will penalties be properly enforced, will conviction, or acquittal be made less cumbersome. Then and only then will it no longer be said that the United States is incomparably worse than Great Britain. Any discussion of law enforcement today would be inadequate, if no consideration were given to that most discussed, most abused section of the federal constitution, the eighteenth amendment. In this the greatest exhibition of lawlessness in the annals of our country has been demonstrated. Which of those law-abiding citizens who see on every hand the open violation of this law but do nothing to stop it—yes, in many cases, even countenance it, as if it were a huge joke—which of these does not know that prohibition is a part of the very foundation of

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The KICK-OFF 1925 A VANISHING ART What a wide rang of ideas this topic brings to one’s mind. Rv- erv day we read newspaper and magazine articles on our ‘iost arts.’ Hut are they lost ? Not wholly, perhaps yet an effort may be necessary on our part to retain them. Of all these none stand in greater danger ot becoming a lost art than the ai t of home keeping. In the cities a great- er share of the people gel their meals in restaurants and delicatessen shops considering ‘home only a place to sleep. 1 believe there is scarcely a word capable of suggesting a more vivid range of ideas than this word home. To the ancient Roman his home was the abiding place of his household gods; to the medieval baron it was the castle where he maintained his retinue and from whence he sallied forth on his con- quests; to the pioneer it was a retreat from his struggles with the torces of nature, tin spot where lie realized the results of his efforts. Today it means to some little more than a place where meals are served and lodging is secured; to others, a retreat from tin day’s labors in the field or at tin desk; and still others a means of enjoying social intercourse with friends and acquaintances. So many people have the idea that it takes an elegant home among treasures of art and science for a mother to train a good citizen. What a mistake! Some of the greatest and most distinguished minds the world has ever known have risen from the humblest of cottages. In every house, no matter how grand or how lowly, there must be establish- ed tin basic principles of home life. A true home must administer to the physical life by furnishing good, wholesome food, well ventilated rooms with tin correct lighting and heating system. A true home must be a school of business where the child from infancy learns the value of fair- ness in all deeds. A true home must be a center of social life where the young may feel free to bring friends to play, chat or study. A true home must be the heart of church life where the young are taught that religious devotion is not meant to be carried on in the church alone. Our greatest strifes today arise from differences of opinion concerning religion within a family Is it entirely a woman’s duty to train the children in religious, social and business life? The one great problem which simplifies American housekeeping is that all members have a hand in it. This requires courage, vision, and sacrifice from both men and women. There is another point which I would like to touch on, something that perhaps is more widely discussed than any of the things already mentioned,—that is the girl of today who is to be the mother of tomor- row. A recent newspaper article contained statements by several not- ed women concerning the modern girl or so-called “flapper.” The arti-