The would-be citizen must also think about protecting himself from assault as he walks about the streets; about protecting his house from thieves as he lies asleep at night.  He must have thought about the careless use of cars, automobiles, firearms and explosives in general.  He must consider the danger from fires, contagion, diseases, mobs; he must think intelligently about contaminated water and impure foods.  All these things are necessary for the physical well-being of the community life.  Of course, if either man or woman cannot think intelligently about these things, he ought not to have control of them; he should leave such matters to those who can think of them.

In the second place, the would-be citizen must have fairly sound judgments on questions of raising and spending necessary revenue.  What are the effects of direct and indirect taxation?  Would a heavy tax on land force unused lands, including mines and waterways, into use?  Should a man with a cash income of $50,000 a year pay more to support government than one with a cash income of $500?  What are the objections to an income tax?  How does it work in England, where it has been fairly tried?  Should a great corporation pay taxes in proportion to its wealth, and in places where the wealth is protected by the law?  If so, how can it be reached?  Should churches, museums, libraries and schools be taxed; if not, why not?  Should taxes be laid on flour, meat and eggs, on woolen cloth, on silks, velvets, ostrich plumes and diamonds?  Should taxes be laid on whiskey, wines, tobacco, cigars and race-tracks?  Should taxes be devised, or continued, to protect such infant industries as now handle our kerosene oil, meat, sugar and steel?  Surely no one who cannot form independent judgments on these matters should presume to direct them through voting.

But not only must a nation raise revenue in the wisest and most equitable manner possible, and spend it effectively and economically, but it must also care for its present possessions.  So the would-be citizen must know about the wealth in which he wants to share.  What do the national, State and municipal governments own?  How should the vast domains of land, the onetime inexhaustible forests, the mines of coal and metal, the waterways and water-powers, the special privileges and franchises belonging to the people be used?  Should they be thrown away, gambled away, given away as favors, rented, sold, or handled directly by the people?  On what terms or under what guarantees should they be turned over to individuals or companies, if this is to be done?  Those who cannot form judgments on these matters should not be entrusted with such vast responsibility, be they men or women.