The Washington herald., 1911-05-12

lumbia, which the Bristow bill seems to
aim to solve. can be placed upon a
proper basis, its establishment would
In his opinion, be a most desirable
thing. Il favor q high franchise in the
District" said Mr.. Capers IF an elec-
tion here can result in bringing out an
expression Of opinion from the substan-
fial citizens Of the District who have
something at stake, believe we should
have 1t.
The bill asd its provisions are yet
new to us and 1t is a little early to pass
upon all that II contains. but those of
US who have been in favor Of suffrage
mere must welcome any measure which
helps to bring it about. There are a.
great many residents In Washington who
hoid their legal residence in other States.
ana 30 home to vote. These ought not
to be allowed TO vote in two places, as
tnat would be unconstitutional When
this number Is eliminated. and those,
"nc' by lack of property qualification or
otner token of substantial citizenship, are
cut OUT the total number of voters would
not perhaps. very great. But there is a
principle at stake, which We have been
working for, and that principle will ap-
Ply to the citizens who would qualify,
and they ought to be given all the rights
tions."
Mr.. Boyle Approves.
ANY movement which has for its OBJ
1ect the legalizing Of the election of
delegates to the national conventions"
said John Boyle, will meet with the
approval Of this community. We have
all known that in the past the elections,
so called. We're little more than a farce
II. as Is proposed by Senator Bristows
bill, the expenses Of the primaries are
to be paid out Of the District treasury.
1t VIII mean men can aspire to be dele
Gates who would not otherwise be able
to seek the honor. think 1t will take
about $4,000 to run the election properly.
believe people, who. ordinarily, would
not approve of any form Of suffrage in
this city, will see the wisdom of giving
to the election of national delegetes
dignity, which II does not now possess"
Senator Bristow's measure designates
a complete system of registration and
voting and provides that all the expenses
OF the primary nominating election shall
be borne by the revenues OF the District.
The plan OF holding Presidential pri-
maries is rapidly taking root in progress
sive circles, and 1t is apparent the Dis
trict OF Columbia has been singled out
as community whose registered prefer
ence In regard to a candidate may some
day have a most important bearing on
the Presidency.
The Bristow bill provides that in the
years when President and Vice Presi.
dent are TO be elected there shall be held
In the District of Columbia, on the Sec
ond Tuesday in April. primary nominat-
ing election at which the qualified cleo
tors CT the political parties subject to the
act shall have the opportunity to vote
Tor their first and second choice among
those aspiring to be the candidates of
their respective parties for President and
Vice President of the United States. 1t
Is provided that the voters shall at that
Tune also elect their party delegates to
tneir national conventions and also shall
elect their national committeeman.
Qualified EIectors. -
1t is provided that qualified electors
shall be more than twenty-one Years of
age. citizens of the United States, and
resident for one year of the District of
Columbia. Candidates whose names are
printed on the ballots can be so desis- |
mated through nominating petitions, sign
ed by 500 electors, and filed with the
board OF Commissioners of the District
fifteen days in advance of the Presidential |
preference election. |
of all qualified voters in the District, the |
appointment of judges of election, the |
printing of ballots. the counting of votes. |
the salaries of judges of election, and |
The payment Of ALI general expenses
Senator Bristow pointed out that by |
virtue Of the law he proposes. the citi-
zens Of the District Of Columbia could |
II least exercise their right Of choice as
q Presidential candidates, even IL they
Gould not vote directly for their seating.
4 is assumed that the people Of the
District are at least interested in the
,utcome Of Presidential campaigns, al
hough they have no hand in aiding
hereto. Therefore, to be of use in Sc
Getting the proper candidate for a ticket
Tould be Of some satisfaction. as well |
Is a benefit to the various political |
parties.
One of the newest electrical Office de-
vices is a machine which will seal, |