The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-10-11
THURSDAY, OCTOBER IL, 1866.
Why 6O.OOO Citizens Did Not Vote.

of the total number of residents who were
liable to the draft was one-fltth. As none
but voters were subjected, we may safely
infer that one-fitth of the population are en-
titled to the right of suffrage ;,tor those under
twenty-one who were exposed to conscrip-
ton are certainly counterbaanced by those
whose age, exceeding forty-ave, made them
exempt. Taking this as the proportion, we
would have in Philadelphia some 100000
voters. In this inference we think we are
within bounds. One Representative was ap-
portioned to every $4,000 in 1860, and we
generally have some $4,000 votes poled IN
each district, which is trife less than one
fifth of the residents. Having, then,
100000 entitled to the right of balloting, we
find that in the most exciting contest ever
carried on in our municipality, and the one
in which the largest aggregate vote ever
nolled was deposited, that there were but
1OO698 ballots cast. There were 10000 who
were authorized by law to exercise the privi-
lepe. and vet declined for certain reasons to
dosO.
The inquiry into the cause which deprives
the State of the voice OF onethird of her
citizens is one in which the public veal is
really involved, and the proper remedy for
the evil cannot but nfuse new life into our
body polite. What, then, is the reason that
This large proportion declined to come to the
pols2 We think that the great cause is
found in the fact that, as they had no voice
in the selection of the candidates, they felt
little or no interest in the success of either
marty. and therefore declined to take the
trouble to cast ballot when they cared not
which won.
In the choice of nominees for the parties
the great body of the people are not consulted:
they have no voice. They are led like
@dumb driven CATTLE" and it has long been
the custom OF the party leaders to lay the
whip on the shoulders of all who do not
tamely support all those selected for them.
There never was an oligarchy more despotic,
and at the same time more intrinsically mean,
than that which, under the cloak of Demo
cracy, compelled millions of American cti-
zens to accept the DEGREES Of a score of men,
at the risk of being ruled out of the party.
The voters are not to-day consulted in the
selection of candidates. We are told on every
side of parties of roughs swaying the primary
elections and driving gentlemen away, and
this outrage is perpetrated by both parties.
And it is because little interest is felt by the
respectable part of the community in the
triumph of either ring, that sixty thousand
citizens of Philadelphia decline to attend the
polls
The time for the defeat of these autocratic
demagogues has come. The thinking portion
of the country are very tired and disgusted
with the machinery OF party; and especially is
this true in our city. The day has gone by
forever when it does man an injury to
scratch his ticket. 1t need be no longer con
ceaIed 1t can be done openly, and all the
wrath of the wire-puller defied. 1t was done
on Tuesday by tens OF thousands of our citi-
zens, ana we venture to say that there was
hardly an intelligent man of either party who
did not in at least one instance break party
discipline.
This fact shows that the trammels of parti-
sanship have been broken, and that the whip
has lost its terror. When bad man is nomi-
mated by either party for any local office, it is
the duty of every patriotic citizen to oppose
him with all his strength. When good man
is nominated, whether by the Democracy or
the Republican party, it is the duty of every
patriotic citizen to lend him all the aid in his
power. Unless there is some national issue
involved, we should and shall support man
because of his personal fitness tor the post to
which he aspires. This year we have the cleo
ton of a United States Senator, and on that
account many gentlemen who feared to en-
danger the success Of the party supported men
who are utterly untitled for the post of legis-
lators, and elected them by reduced majority.
Next wear the case will be different The
Legislature will be of State and not of ma
tional importance, and it will be the duty Of
every citizen to oppose the corrupt, the vul.
gar, and incompetent, and support the able
the honest, and the gentlemanly candidates.
That such is the case in our local affairs
has been already decided by our people
Many ran far behind their ticket, while in
some cases so great was the dislike to certain
nominees. that we sacrificed districts because
OF the obstinacy OF the Convention in select
ing them. This was the case with State
Senator, and, in one case, so far as Legisla
tive seat was concerned. 1t is becaust of the
corruption, the chicanery, and the dece
which permeate party politics, that so many
OF the most valued of our citizens turn ava!
IN disgust, and decline even to wore. Now
this condition OF affairs must be remedied
We must have the system of making nomina