as an interest, such as the business of corporations and
political expenses during campaigns and between them. To these ends,
many unfaithful public servants must be retired, much wise legislation
must be framed and passed, and the struggle will be bitter and long. But
it will be well worth all it will cost, for self-government is at stake.

There can be no legislative cure-all for great political evils, but
legislation can make easier the effective expression and execution of
the popular will. One step in this direction, which I personally believe
should be taken without delay, is a law forbidding any Senator or Member
of Congress or other public servant to perform any services for any
corporation engaged in interstate commerce, or to accept any valuable
consideration, directly or indirectly, from any such corporation, while
he is a representative of the people, and for a reasonable time
thereafter. If such a law would be good for the Nation in its affairs, a
similar law should be good for the States and the cities in their
affairs. And I see no reason why Members and Senators and State
Legislators should not keep the people informed of their pecuniary
interest in interstate or public service corporations, if they have any.
It is certain such publicity would do the public no harm.

This Nation has decided to do away with government by money for profit
and return to the government our forefathers died for and gave to
us--government by men for human welfare and human progress.

Opposition to progress has produced its natural results. There is
profound dissatisfaction and unrest, and profound cause for both. Yet
the result is good, for at last the country is awake. For a generation
at least there has not been a situation so promising for the ultimate
public welfare as that of to-day. Our people are like a hive of bees,
full of agitation before taking flight to a better place. Also they are
ready to sting. Out of the whole situation shines the confident hope of
better things. If any man is discouraged, let him consider the rise of
cleaner standards in this country within the last ten years.

The task of translating these new standards into action lies before us.
From sea to sea the people are taking a fresh grip on their own affairs.
The conservation of political liberty will take its proper place
alongside the conservation of the means of living, and in both we shall
look to the permanent welfare by the plain people as