The purpose of the recall is to ensure the complete and continual responsibility of public officials to the people who have elected them. It enables the establishment of longer terms of office without incurring the danger of autocracy on the part of officeholders. On the other hand, the recall is a weapon which may easily be perverted to wrongful use. If attempts were made to oust an officeholder whenever his work gives offence to any influential element among the voters, the recall procedure would soon become an intolerable nuisance in that it would be continually bringing the people to the polls. It would likewise deter independent and capable men from accepting office at all. But as a matter of fact the recall has not been widely used. For the most part the people have held it in reserve for emergencies. It is like a fire-escape on the outside of a building, not to be used at all under ordinary circumstances, but exceedingly valuable when an emergency comes. General References JAMES BRYCE, _Modern Democracies_, Vol. I, pp. 151-164 (Public Opinion); Vol. II, pp. 417-434 (Direct Legislation by the People); A. L. LOWELL, _Public Opinion and Popular Government_, pp. 113-232 (Methods of Expressing Public Opinion); A. B. HART, _Actual Government_, pp. 270-273 (Appointing Power); 276-294 (Civil Service); W. B. MUNRO, _Government of the United States_, pp. 501-521 (Direct Legislation and the Recall); E. M. PHELPS (editor), _Initiative and Referendum_ (Debaters’ Handbook Series); DELOS F. WILCOX, _Government by All the People_ (The Arguments in Favor), pp. 104-128; 149-163; ARNOLD B. HALL, _Popular Government_ (The Arguments Against), pp. 120-143. Group Problems 1. =What is public opinion?= How is it formed? Influence of the press. News columns and editorials. The press and propaganda. Influence of advertisers. The large measure of independence in the press. Resolutions of organizations. Communications to legislators. Relative importance of the various channels of public opinion. =References=: A. V. DICEY, _The Relations between Law and Public Opinion in England_, pp. 17-47; JAMES BRYCE, _American Commonwealth_, Vol. II, pp. 251-266; _Ibid._, _Modern Democracies_, Vol. I, pp. 92-110; 151-164; A. L. LOWELL, _Public Opinion and Popular Government_, pp. 4-56; G. H. PAYNE, _History of Journalism in the United States_, pp. 347-359 and _passim_; ARNOLD B. HALL, _Popular Government_, pp. 25-44; WALTER LIPPMAN, _Liberty and the News_, _passim_.