The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1894-10-21
INGRATEs WHO DO NOT VOTE.

Il has long Leen the custom of the
newspapers, at PERIODS far removed from
the election times, to urge the busy peo-
pie to take an active part in the cam
paigns.
This enthusiastic exhortation is kept
up for day or two and then quietly
dropped, not TO appear again until the
lection is long past. But 1t can not be
denied that the newspapers are right In
this matter. Norman should be too busy
to vote. The right of suffrage is greater
| than all other privileges-even the priv
| ilege of being busy. Nothing should
keep man from voting. 1t Is essential
not only. 1t is vital.
In little more than two weeks we
will have an election. There are vari-
Gus principles to be voted up or down.
Many people are going to vote. Many
are not sgoing to vote. They are not
going TO vote because they haven't
thought about it. They do not dislike
to vote. They could easily spare the
time but SO many are going to cast a
ballot that it will not make much differ
ence If theirs is missing. That sounds
family reasonable on the part of one
man. But here in Wichita there are
probably over 800 individuals thinking
that way. Each one has not registered
because he does not think it is neces-
sary for the country to have his vote.
Alone he is not particularly wrong.
With 499 other men Of similar Intentions
he is an ingrate-an migrate 10 the coun-
try which grants him voice in the pub
lie afiairs-freer, mere potent, stronger
than that granted by any other country
IN the world.
The man who today says that he does
not intend to vote because the absence
of his vote will not make much differ
ence would howl long and loud if his
franchise should happen TO be taken
from him. But when he has il he does
not exercise it.
If his vote were the only one missing
it would not make much difference, but |
there has come to be In this country a |
great class which can be regularly |
upon for failing to vote and as |
one individual thinks, so do many. The |
result is that elections often result |
against the wishes OF this class.
The great trouble of it all is here. The |
class which is corrupt and for evil |
never fails to vote. No Individual who |
S able to cast vote for bad or an unfit |
nan for Office ever fails to get to the
POLLS. He is always there. The men
who use politics for despicable ends
Know that he will not fail them. If it
forms, the bad man will be on hand.
In almost every instance the man who
ioes not care to vote or who doesn't
want to take the trouble or who hasn't
lme, or who doesn't want to get his
eet wet is In all other respects a reput-
bic citizen. IL he should once get into
he voting booth he would cast his bal
ot intelligently and for the best inter-
SIS of the community. His vote is de-
lrable. But as long as he will let
torn or business or anything else under
ne sun prevent him from voting he Is
f no account to the nation or to the
Ohihuuttys
There is chance for every citizen to
ote next month. To vote it will be I
ecesSary TO be registered. That is all.
hen weather nor misfortune nor what
OF should be capable of standing in a
rams way to express his convictions.
Unless the voter takes advantage of
is right TO vote he will live to regret it.
his country is not safe vet. A few
avs may throw it into revolution. ANY I
ian who read the papers last July !
Ight TO know this.
The issues of the campaign have been
and reiterated. No reading
ian is without some information as to
he principles and the men before the I
eople. There can be no excuse for not I
citing. 1t is ungrateful to shirk the 1
uty.