Charles McCarthy

“ Whatever may be the limitations which trammel inquiry elsewhere, we believe the great state of Wisconsin should ever encourage that continual and fearless sifting and winnowing by which alone the truth can be found. ”

“ German professors have come repeatedly to Wisconsin and have been surprised by the German spirit in the university. Therefore it is only natural that the legislation of Wisconsin should receive an impetus from men who believe that laws can be so constructed as to lead to progress and at the same time preserve to the fullest all human betterment; that the advice of scholars may be sought; that what has made Germany happy and prosperous may be duplicated in America ”

“ The interests of production are often seen to be so parallel with the path of virtue, as to be more provocative of virtue than virtue herself. The admirable interaction of the laws of the several departments of man's social nature, the mutual support which they render each other, and the general concurrence of their motives, present topics not less suggestive of divine skill than those of the external world. ”

“ In a new country, capital is a goddess to be propitiated. It is somewhat surprising, therefore, that the doctrine of the power of the state should spring up in Wisconsin, which in 1900 produced more lumber than any other state in the country. One would scarcely expect that legislation of a type which would lead one to think that its makers believed with Professor Schmoller that the state is "the grandest existing ethical institution" would gain a stronghold in such a community. ”

“ It is strange that, notwithstanding all the battles, the constructive legislation growing out of these conditions was of such an orderly character, so lacking in danger to prosperity and so harmonious with the social development of the state. The leaders deserve our commendation because they realized the necessity for this thorough, painstaking construction. ”

“ Behind this Wisconsin movement is a great body of tradition, a tradition of orderliness and of scientific methods, a knowledge that things can and should be done by experts in a careful and diligent manner and that progress must come, slowly but thoroughly. ”

“ Economic pressure generally results in legislation. If an automobile were driven wildly upon a prairie and neither harmed nor killed any one, there would be no necessity for restrictive legislation. It has been possible for the doctrine of industrial freedom to exist in America for a similar reason. No one demands laws restricting the rights of others in the use of land or minerals when there is an abundance of both. It is only when men touch elbows that laws which narrow and define human freedom, come into being. ”

“ He held to the principle that we are bound in duty to use the school as a means of helpfulness in the world and that every true educational principle takes issue with any system of instruction that omits to call upon the school to take its place in the state as a constructive agency in the highest social economy. ”

“ Strange as it may seem, the same philosophy which was being taught in the University of Wisconsin was slowly becoming the dominating influence in Germany. The strength of this theory, even in remote times, is clearly shown in the writings of early German economists. The belief that it pays the state to concern itself in the betterment of human beings and the protection of human welfare, in order that it may receive in return a rich reward from this investment, is not a new one. ”

“ If Wisconsin is a prosperous state to-day, there is no doubt that it is largely because of German ideas and ideals, early instituted in the state.
The Scandinavian element came later, but was animated by the very same ideals. Indeed, they became stimulated in many cases before they came to Wisconsin. Every Norwegian, Swede or Dane who pays a visit to-day to the Scandinavian countries returns an easy convert to the ideals which seem to have dominated Wisconsin during the last decade or more. Many of the leaders are found among the Scandinavians. ”

“ The men who have had the greatest influence in making that legislation what it is, were inspired by these ideals. The people of Wisconsin would not have supported any wild or extravagant legislative schemes. The stock is too sturdy, too cautious and too conservative to be swayed by any revolutionary influence. ”

“ He declared "that, while the laws of legitimate acquisition look to the good of all, and not to the plunder of any, any illegitimate action which violates a higher, a moral law, will usually violate a lower, an economic law, and measure the gains of one by the losses of another. ”

“ The Norwegian element is much more active than the German in politics; it is much more aggressive. For many years one of the most talented members of the tax commission has been of that race, and it is not unusual in the legislative body to hear Norwegians, Danes or Swedes quote in debate the high standards maintained in Norway or in the Scandinavian countries. Men familiar with foreign agricultural methods and those trained in the people's high schools of Denmark or in the scientific schools of Sweden or Norway are helping to organize county agricultural schools. ”

“ I question whether the history of any commonwealth can show so intimate a relation between the forces which have governed its social development and the principles expounded from a teacher's desk, as that which exists between Wisconsin and the classroom of John Bascom. No social and political movement is even in part the work of one man or one set of men, and no one who knows the history of Wisconsin can be ignorant that the state was fully alive to the need of economic reform before Dr. ”

“ He walked the streets to obtain employment as a teacher, and after nearly starving, was engaged by a kind Jew as tutor to his children. Finally, after many vicissitudes, he became an instructor at Johns Hopkins university. Gradually the country began to understand that a new teacher had appeared in America. Books on economics were issued which actually seemed to deny the old "wages fund" doctrine and the theories of value which were promised by the economist in England and in this country. In fact, many thought that what he wrote was not political economy at all ”

“ Many important posts, influential in the guidance of the different commissions, are filled by men who have traditions from the old countries. It is worthy of comment that a Scandinavian statistician was responsible for the detailed statistical work of the railroad commission and that another gifted man of Norwegian stock has been the chief means of promoting splendid insurance laws in this state. ”

“ The principles he laid down have extended over the country and are being taught in all the principal colleges; his pupils have inspired men who have taught others. He has gathered about him in the University of Wisconsin a group of men who have studied with him and received inspiration from him. ”