PREFACE "Nothing will ruin the country if the people themselves will undertake its safety; and nothing can save it if they leave that safety in any hands but their own." THIS little volume will have served its purpose if it can be used as an aid in making the young citizens of Idaho familiar with our political institutions. The school should have as a main object the preparation of its children for the duties of citizenship. This preparation can in no way be complete unless the young citizen, sent out by the school, meets the duties of citizenship with a steadfastness of purpose which comes only with a true conception of one's rights and duties as ordained by the state, of the importance and the sacredness of the ballot, and of the scope of the various units of government. The course in civil government cannot be complete by studying merely a general work on the subject. There are many volumes published which meet every requirement for a careful study of our National government, and of the smaller units in general. This volume should be used to supplement the general work by presenting the facts peculiar to our own state and local governments. The questions at the close of each chapter are given in the hope of creat |