PREFACE This book deals with the government of both the Nation and the State. There are already many good books dealing with civil government, and a few excellent ones. Yet the author feels justified in adding one more book to the list. This work differs in two important particulars, from the usual textbook in civil government. In the first place this is not a formal treatment of the dry bones of the subject, on the one hand, nor is it, on the other hand, a work on elementary sociology. Both extremes are carefully avoided. Civil government is presented, however, with proper emphasis on the political and sociological bearings of government. In the second place, the Federal principle of our government is given great prominence in the treatment of the framework of Federal and State government. The two constitutions, Federal and State, are studied together, in parallel column. A large part of this book deals with local government. In spite of the many encomiums pronounced on the virtues of our purely local government, all thoughtful people must confess that here, only too often, democracy has gone to seed. The writer has attempted to point out flaws as well as virtues in our system of government. On matters that are debatable he has endeavored to present both sides with fairness. Since the book treats of actual government as well as of the framework of government, some attention is given to such subjects as legislative methods, party manage 12 |