Evening journal., 1897-01-29
COMPULSORY VOTING

Another alleged reform has received |
setback, and the rearward impulsion |
has, of course, come from the bench. |
1t is comparatively easy matter to
get legislative sanction for almost any
experiment or innovation, no matter
how directly 1t may conflict with fun
damental law But when a reformer
has succeeded in getting his panacea
into a statute book and is expecting it
to blossom abundantly and bring forth
fruit for the healing of manifold ills,
IL often happens that his hopes are
blasted, and society benefited by a
cruel crusher from the courts. The
present instance is a decision from the
Supreme Court of Missouri declaring
unconstitutional the provision of the
Kansas City charter imposing a tax on
citizens who fail to exercise the right
of suffrage. Abstention of voters, es-
pecially in local elections, is a chronic
and growing evil Many cities suffer
from the failure OF the best citizens to
take part in municipal campaigns.
Men who are glad TO contribute large
amounts in cash TO the managers of a
national campaign will not attend the
primaries or go to the polls when the
officials are to be elected who will as
cess and collect and eXpend their
taxes. The consequence of this ne
glect is misrule. Bad men get into
Office and use their positions to enrich
themselves and their ring partners. II
was long ago suggested that this con-
dition demanded legislation that
would compel all voters to vote, and
that proposition has been discussed at
various times, but has not commended
itself to general favor. The Missouri
Legislature, however. decided to try il
In a small way. and began the test
with q new charter OF Kansas City.
The advocates Of forced voting be-
lieved that it would work wonders, and
spread from Kansas City all over the
United States. But they know better
now. The st. Louis Republic is not
inclined to indulge in regrets at this
blow to the refOrmers. IL thinks the
state has not sustained irreparable
damage by the inhibition of this kind
Of laws. lt takes account of the un-
certainty Of whether a penalty would
prove effective as a cure for abstention
and is not sure that even if it did
prove effective, the effect would De
beneficial. The Republic is close tC
the truth in these comments: There
is little promise of good government In
; the votes of men who must be proddct
{ by fear Of punishment to exercise sc
! invaluable a right as the right Of sui
frage. Men who care so little wha
q manner Of government they live undel
and how and by whom the laws shal
be made and executed would hardl,
contribute to the public welfare b,
4 their forced votes The exercise o.
s The suffrage would be DEGRADED b,
[ making it legal obligation TIL
r. true view and the view which assure
the best results is that It is a higl
privilege and a moral duty. II maj
}, does not realize the invaluable privi
=, legc OF participating In governmen
and of using it as a safeguard agains
oppression, corruption, and abuse 70
himself and his community, the lar
y cannot demonstrate the fact and teac
" him how touse theprivi.ege." Exaggera
T. ton Of the possibilities of reform %
,s legislation has been a marked featur
Of the lawmaking Of this country eve
since the first New England colon
was planted. "A long line OF failure
~ has not dampened the ardor OF tt
lie enthusiasts who believe in legislatin
d. goodness into the hearts of the peopl
IN We sincerely wish that all who al
d, endowed with the ballot would NAL
an honest and intelligent use OF Il. Bl
VI there is very little more sense or uti
ity in trying to force man to vote I
ines or ether penalties than the
u would be in an attempt TO Gil n
a churches by fning citizens for MOI
attendance Washington Pest