Abstract

Skinner's American Politics

The article presents information related to the book "The Issues of American Politics." by Otrin Skinner. At the present juncture in politics, when party ties are being rapidly effaced, and new issues are forming and fast superseding the old, nothing could be more timely than a comprehensive survey of the situation and a full discussion as well of the past issues as of those that are now coming into prominence. It is a task of great difficulty and delicacy, and whatever his success in performing it, Skinner deserves commendation for the courage and industry with which he has set about it. In the closing chapters, too, people find a departure from the calm and impartial tone of the earlier portions of the book, and a bitterness of language in speaking of the present administration, which readers can only characterize as partisan. It was at once unbecoming and inconsistent with the character and purposes of the treatise to introduce in this way expressions which bear only upon this present election of 1872.