As it is, they are usually flourishing in the eyes of the American people a flask of virtue which, when it is uncorked, proves to be filled with oaths of office.

The reformers must put strong wine into their bottle.

They must make office-holding worth while by giving to the officeholders the power of effecting substantial public benefits.
III POSSIBILITIES OF EFFECTIVE STATE ACTION The questions relating to the kind of reforms which these reorganized state governments might and should attempt to bring about need not be considered in any detail.

In the case of the states institutional reconstruction is necessarily prior to social reconstruction; and the objects for which their improved powers can be best used need at present only be indicated.

These objects include, in fact, practically all the primary benefits which a state ought to confer upon its citizens; and it is because the states have so largely failed to confer these primary benefits that the reconstruction necessarily assumes a radical complexion.