American Falls press. [volume] (American Falls, Idaho) 1907-1937, 1908-07-11

meeting the trustees called the election.
and by resolution fixed the date for the
opening and closing of registration,
three of the trustees are now claiming
that the election is not legal or
binding, and that any man who is
interested here. whether he is legal
voter or not, or would be entitled 90
vote at a regular election. should be
permitted 10 walk up 10 the polls next
Tuesday and vote whether registered or
not. And further, that no one can be
compelled 10 swear in his vote. nor
could be prosecuted for perjury in ease
he swore falsely. What is the object
of such TALK Either 10 carry the cleo
tlon by illegal votes. or To ignore the
result If the prohibitionists are success
full.
In the council room Tuesday night
one Of the trustees stated that he Was
one OF those who organized the move
ment prior 10 the last election which
placed the present trustees in office.
and that one Of the objects Of that
movement was 90 protect the saloons. +"
ard that he sas going 10 DO SO. Had
he been frank enough TO make that
statement prior 10 the election he would
not now be in Office and figuring how
10 defeat or thwart the will Of the peo-
pie and yet appear fair.minded.
In view of this statement the Press
would like 20 ask II that Is the reason
gambling is permitted TO flourish here
with the full knowledge Of the village
authori,iesg DO the trustees consider
themselves the representatives Of the
people. Or Of the gamblers and saloon
men! Their sets following the election
will trgthfully answer.
To state Il as mildly as possible. Il is
IN very bad taste for members Of q
body which has called MI election into
existence, which without their acquies-
cence would have been impossible: who
helped % hs the conditions Of regis
trs,ion. % talk about the legality Of such
election. ard 10 open the way. through
suggestion. to thwart the very objeet
for which the election was called. After
having provided for neu registration.
appointing the registrars and fixing the
hours Of registration during the day.
and the days of opening and closing
said registration. TO have members of
the board Of trustees declare that any
body sho has interests here is entitled
TO vote. whether registered or not. .
and that no one could be prosecuted
for perjury If he swore falsely. Is far
from having an appearance Of fairness.
The trustees named the conditions and
by them they sill stand.
Whether the election Is legal or not
is an open question. The legislature
did not. by direct command or special
authorization. direct the trustees to call
an election on the isth Of July. 1905.
but Il did provide laws 10 govern the
holding Of special elections, and laid
down certain rules governing them.
These rules are the same as govern reg
ulsr elections, and while there is no Law
TO make the voice of the people manda.
tory. or to carry its registered will into
effect without subsequent legislation Of
the trustees. the Press is Of the opin.
ion that perjury and illegal voting will
not be safe The matter of legality.
however. need not be called into the
question here. II is one Of justness
and fairness The officers are on trial
before the bar Of public opinion. If
they do not see TO il that the regula-
tions they made for the governing and
holding this election are adhered to. or
that people who have not registered
are not permitted TO vote. they will be
simply raising a standard by which they
will be judged.
n