The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1908-12-10
FRITZ THE
DUTGHANAN
DEFENDS
SGRA TCHI|ERS
Must Have Pure
Motives Though
He Says
HOuLT. w Va nen o

hoULI, w. Va Dec. 9.
Editor West virgintan:
We were rather surprised ts see the
bitter things said in the West Virgin.
ian the other day about those who
scratch their tickets, and according n
the tone OF that article the only really
nice people are the ones that vots.
their party ticket straight even If there
Is yellow dog on It.
In the first place some of the asser.
tt0ns made In that editorial were
based en false premise. The editor
would have US believe that only about
six people ont of every nupdrpJ
scratch and bases It on the fact that
the weakest man only fell that far b..
hind Ais ticket and asserts that that
insignificant number of voters Yern
causing all the trouble. Nov. any one
knows that Is wrong. III the editor
thinks rniy about 6 per cent. of the
voters scratch. let him ask any poll
clerk or other election officer.
NOW, no difference how unpopular
candidate msy be he also has his
friends in the opposite party who
scratch for him while his own party
may some scratch against him. Now
II he falls behind three hundred Votes
it dces not mean thnt only 80 of his
party scratched him OF but that = ne
were 800 more scratched against than
for him! Tie result would, be tho
same If one thousand voters scratched
him provided seven hundred scratche.i
FOR hin. Then again, great numbers
would vote the party ticket so far as
that man In question was concerned
aph scratch somebody else So ne !
~ ne estimate OF so few scratchers
was based on false premise.
Again We said we were surprised
and We were for We feel sure ti1at thar
article did not fully represent the eli,
tor's. belief: that In fact ne was sIn.
ming against his better nature: that he
respects the man who.-not for a
crouch but from motives OF conscience
Votes his sentime mt irrespective of mar.
tY. feel sure rs an educator ne
would not teach a class in civil GOV.
ernment such damnPble doctrines. If
he would ssteach: II he would not SO
respect the honest voter, then we are
donbly disappointed. We lave build.
ed false beliefs: our idols feet are
made of clay.
Suppose every voter was an intense
partisan; suppose the politicians and
pol1tlc'l machines could place ther,
with the assurance they wouid stav
paced until moved just like lot OF
ctlesS men on h"ard, and with no
more initiative. Why in such a case
the political situation would be worss
than Mexico, which Is synonymons or
political rottenness.
NO, we know. everybody knows. tho
editor knows. tnat the independent
voter within party lines VIII, has the
moral stamina at times to scratch"
is the moral conscience of the nation
ana II is this element Of political un.
certainty that often keeps the politl.
clan and Office holder halfway decent.
The man who is an intense partisan
Is. not necessarily patriot any more
than the narrow. bigoted sectarian ,s
always a Christian. The names ars
not synonymous.
The enthusiasm that goes wita
political campaign is the same sort
that causes the baseball "rooter" TO
yen himself hoarse for "our boys" and
such spirit has no place in good citi.
zenship where calm judgment is need.
Now to the "scratcher." We say ri
you are honest, if you were not actual.
ed by little motives but earnestly de-
sire the best for the county, State AMI
God bless you! May your
shadow never grow less, as the Irish
say, Go to the polls at each election,
vote your sentiments regardless CT
the descending party lash and If no.
body else appreciates your deed YOU
VIII have the approval Of an honest
conscience md
FRITZ. THE DUTcHMAN.