accordance with the latest fashion, Mr. Wallace opens with a consideration of "public opinion" rather than with the sacred letter of the Constitution-Fifteenth and Eighteenth Amendments and all. Though new in aspect, the idea is not revolutionary; many years ago Judge Cooley was so brutally indifferent to the Sisyphian labors of our Minute Men as to blurt out the truth that the Constitution is what we think it is. So Mr. Wallace has high sanction for beginning with an analysis of public opinion. While there is nothing formal about this book, the author has managed to include within his pages about all the capital facts that are supposed to be necessary for a beginner's armory. He has tucked them in here and there in the course of his exposition and reflections. Even our ancient and elusive friend, Mr. Separationof-Powers, walks through a paragraph. In this form the old facts seem more palatable than when severely set forth with approved academic angularity. To the essentials of politics Mr. Wallace has added conclusions and suggestions of his own derived from independent study. There are, for example, some passages on the role of third parties in American politics, which can be read with profit by those who have devoted laborious years to the subject. The whole story of this book is woven around some of the liveliest themes which are engrossing the attention of scientific observers in the field of politics—observers who while looking on the passing show with academic calm would nevertheless like to throw something weighty into the scales now and then. Finally, there is a great deal of humor in this book. Not a little inheres in the subject matter as judiciously chosen by the author. Then, Mr. Wallace himself in crossing the most arid desert keeps his eyes open for every little tuft of green that shoots up through the sand and remarks upon it in a manner appropriate to the scene. I venture the suggestion that even the most seasoned veterans in book reading and political caucusing will find something to their advantages in these pages. New Milford, Conn. CHARLES A. BEARD. FOREWORD The aim of this little volume is to present to the reader a picture of our governmental machinery in terms of fundamental processes and relationships. Stress has been laid on some of the more outstanding problems and the citizen's relation thereto. The author has at no point attempted to make an original contribution to the science of politics, but has confined his efforts entirely to putting into a compact but readable form a discussion of some of the more vital questions of political organization. The response to the material here presented both on the part of the readers of The Woman Citizen in which it first appeared, and on the part of the radio audience which heard the lectures over WEAF was gratifying, indeed, and is in large measure responsible for the publication of the book. It is hoped that an enlarged circle of acquaintances will find the contents of the volume somewhat stimulating to thought upon the questions considered. I should like to express my appreciation to my colleagues, Professor Arthur W. Macmahon and Mr. A. Gordon Dewey, and also to Mr. Harold A. Van Dorn, for the assistance they have from time to time |