Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1911-11-14
Thirty Three Inmates at the Poor
Farm Dc Not Qualify.
WEAKEN UNDER CHALLENGE
Refuse 20 Subscribe to the Oath as
PFOPounded TO Them by the
Republican Judge of
Election.
Registered, but NOT voted

\ "A IL. sidney, J. w. Hoffman.
! John Allen, George Plerson,
! John Webster, Hans Sorensen
| +. d. Ruggles
/ OF the iSS poor farm registration, these
did not vote for good and sufficient res-
sons.
or the 100 county charges who did vote
seventy-two were registered as demo-
Gratis, twenty-six as republicans and two
as socialists. or che thirty-three who
were registered but who did not vote,
nineteen were registered as democrats,
| thirteen as republicans and one socialist
/ The thirty-three probably would have
voted, but when challenged they seemed
to be OF the more intelligent class and
refused to subscribe 10 the oath, stand
up under the questions propounded to
them by Judge Langdon, the republican
member of the board OF judges,
! Regardless of the politics of the poor
farm inmates, when a bunch Of forty or
fifty of them arrived at the polling place
election morning, brought there by poor
farm employee. Challenger Arthur. IN be-
half of the republicans questioned their
right TO vote, taking the position that
they were not qualified electors OF the
precinct and ward.
The qeustions were propounded by
Judge Isangdon, who asked:
''when did you so to the hospital?"
by whom were you sent?"
What did you go to the hospital FORE"
when you are cured, what do you
intend TO do?"
do you intend to make this place your
homer
What is your allment and how long
have you been slck?"
Coached by Democrats.
In answering the poor farm folks we're
coached by the democratic employee from
the poor farm, in charge of them, and
consequently their answers usually were
lof Euch character that the democratic
judges accepted them and permitted the
casting Of the votes. most of which, how
ever, We're cast with the assistance Of
some of the judges.
In answering most of the poor farm
inmates stated that they were sent to
the institution by the democratic county
physician and nearly all complained of
stomach trouble. Many others told the
judges that they considered themselves
only temporary inmates, intending 20 re-
main at the place during the winter and
get away IN the spring. The votes of such
were accepted over the protest of the re-
publican judges regardless of politics.
All inmates OF the hospital, entering
between January !, 1911. and August 1,
1911. were challenged by the republican
challenger on the ground that they were
not residents. Some of the challenges
were sustained, but more OF them were
oyerruled.
Residents of Other Wards.
BY their own testimony, some of these
applicants to vote, showed that thev
were residents OF South Omaha and Of
wards in Omaha other than the Seventh.
yet were permitted TO vote.
where II was shown that men had been
inmates of the poor farm for a number
OF years and had no other home. their
votes were allowed without protest.
During the day several idiots were
brought over and their votes accepted
over the republican challenge and pro-
test. The vote Of one IDIOT however
as rejected. his condition being so APP
parent that even the democratic Judges
could not work up the courage 70 pass
him
Discussing these questions. Judge
LaGsdcn says:
My contention Is that patient sent Il
the country poor farm, or hospital for
treatment and who intends TO leave when
cured acquires no legal residence al the
institution ana Consequently none in the
precinct and ward IN which {, Is situated
''rhe man Who f.. and who for years
has been an inmate Of the poor farm is !.
voter. provided he is OF sound mind ana
can qualify as a legal voter OF ths pre-
oinot and ward
There is one thing about the poor farm.
1t is easy 10 use it as place FOR colonlz-
ing voters, no matter what party Is IN
power and It's vote should be abolished
Too, / am OF the opinion that the voting
machine should be abolished, for il has
tendence 20 confuse the voter, while with
the printed ballot the man with ordinary
intelligence can vote his sentiments. Ia
other words, he passes upon every indi-
viduai name and without any confusion"