davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-09-06
GRAPHIC DESCRIPTION
. OF GERMAN INVASION
London Correspondent Tells OF
Reckless Sncrificc Of Life by
i{aiscr's Commanders.
NUMBERS NEVER DIMINISH
Their Advance Is Declared to Bc Not
Strategy, Nor Individual Qualities,
but Efficiency of tho Whole Mill
taiy System.

Especial Cable u The Times Dispatch.l
LONDON. Scptcmbs- 5.-The c2rrcs-
pendent of the Standard sends from
boulogne n graphic description OF the
German invasion Of France. in which.
summing tho accounts Of the reckless
sacriflce or lifc by the Kaiscr'a com
mandcra in assaults in rnuss formation,
Inc says;
Tho C'crrnana achieved wonderful
results by these methods Of lighting.
They fight almost automatically. and
advance with a machinc-lihc precision.
30 thorough is their training. II is
not strategy. not skin IN tho handling
Of weapons, not Individual qualities
,hat have achieved the advance on
PariG. but efficiency Of tile whole mill
.ary System"
The correspondent likens tic advance
10 an endless swarm of ants. which
apparently nothing can stop, ana
whose numbers apparently never di-
minish. no matter how many ale killed
Ills narrative continues:
After the occupation Of Brussels.
Was In French village through Which
tho Germans we're passing. The
French. IN rctrcatine, had torn up tn.
railways. and while the German cupi-
ncers were repairing them the troops
marched alonE the highways carry
inG their impcdimcntt with them
The hum of Il Taube acroplanc's
motor signalcd their apuroncl Soon
peverai OF these nyiur machines were
sighted. and all evidently ~crc spying
out the land.
.Whii. we watched. ono machine
crumplcd ur md fen 10 tho rronnd
It's two occupantY pitched gu; i'm mid
air and dropped 500 feet 10 their death.
But how utterly insignificant Mas this
tragic incident
Two German airinen dead ana t:o
German families dung in mourning
hut the German hosts marched on. and
the destruction Of these ty"o atoms RI a
mighty whole was OF no military con-
te9uence.
FIRST n VANGUARD
on, MILITARY CYCLISTS
"rir., ,,,,,,a 49, h., -,
r.,na ~ ,..,',.,,.,,'d -. ''o -"
t.lnsn bcbind 1870 a,i.
airy. tba,, -. a1id .r,,7ia,.,- -. ~.
horses almost v-n-, ~, "a ,r;,.
,hrashinr ,h..r, Il, Kan ,bo ~. =, ~
forced march .rfcn r,n," wi, Ia
CORPS OF various descrin,lon. ,nd' 49,,
IS tho infantry Ther ,nnrrIca .t.,I,,
abreast and there seemed no crd IA
tncn Thcy marched nj u ,:,t.. of ,,,,c
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-09-10
AUSTRIANS RETIRE
 IN DISORDER

Y Petrodgrad.. September 9.-The fol- lowing announcement was issued to- day. by the general staff of the Grand r<Uestixsed on Psse Eisht, 4
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-09-10

FRENCH FORTRESS
 OF MAUBEUGE FALLS
 Berlin, September 9.--(By wireless to the Associated Press by way of Sayville, L. I. )-An official announce ment was made today at the army headquarters that the French fortress of Maubeuge, on the Sambre river, had fallen.
 The Germans took 40,000 prisoners, including four generals. Four hundred guns also were captured.
 Mabheuge is French fortress of the first class. It is situated in the depart ment Du Nord. about six miles from the Belgian frontier. The German on rlaughs on this position have been de terniined. and. judging from incomplete news reports. they have been going on for week or more. E <
 Dispatches from London under date of September said that part of the British 'cxpeditionary force in Trance was at Naubeuge. It assisted .tlic r.reneh gar rison in it's defense. z The German gen
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-09-10
TODAY'S AGE-HERALD
es, resist fierce attack.

Allies. resist fierce attack. Germans claim victories in east.
 English victorious over Teut6hs.
 Germans rush endorsements into
 France.
 2-Wilson considers railroad appeal
 for aid. <. . s ]. sBritish financial methods marvel 1 to world. <. k ,s sl.S ! 4Editorial comment. e. r5-" "Buy-a-b bale of cotton clubs to be
 organized. .,, Al .y :. i. I. < Bulletins on school openings. Want something definite for cot
 ton grower. E. 4e Ell
 wholesalera claim criticism unjust, C-Seciety. x S sst .4'45 ' 7-Sports. 7 {. r. .Sr N sHow Japs decided to send ulti-
 matufn. u--Markets Quotstiops firmly. nsant4ined:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-09-10
DETAILS 0F FALL 0F 'LEMDERG GIVEN IN
 HE RUSSIAN REPORT


 k PetreErsd, September 0.-tyia Lcn- don, septemher 10, lssO .. m.)-The ssech today prints the following details ef the fslI of hembers.
 k "The fightaDg which resulted In the eapture of LeAberG began August s0. when the Rpssians drove the enemy freq xloesew .l1s miles east of Lem- berB) ana nsyed on to Golaya Gorka--- . l1ne Wl1eh neans the naked hill.'
 We spent tls night on Naked Hill and ,tho actual .storming of the town wa 'begun at 2;ao o'clock in the morning. Then followed a four days battle. virtually coutinuousr z canndnade continued from dawn to darlfness without cessation. Even in the darhnee1 sthe weary fighters got
 <csnti.gsl = Pare EasAtl !.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-09-10
EMPEROR PROTESTS
 ID WILSON AGAINST |DUM DUM BULLETS

I
 Washington. September s--President Wilson today received a personal ca : blegram from Emperor William of Ger many, protesting against the use by the allied army of dunn dun bullets and the participation in the war by civilians of Belgium. The message also expressed the German emperor's deer regret at the destruction of the Bel gian city of Louvain
 My heart bieeds for Louvain.'' is ono ofrthes phrases the Emperor Is un- otrstood to have used He declared. However. that the population of Bel eium had<offered such resistance that hts generals in many cases had found 1t necessary to administer severe pun ihhment. fs
 Contents of the message was closely
 <csntlnuea sn fass NasAtl
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-09-10
Two Avidtors Killed In
 Thrilling Fight in Air

London, September 0-(ss35 ?. m.) Csptein NesteFeff. one Of the nost dar- tss huseian avfetors and the first of his esuntrynen to loop-the-loep, Aas sscriffeed his life i6 . successful at- tcnpt to destrey an Austrian aefcP1ane. s~ys Fstregsaa aaspatch'te the Reuter- TeIegran eeuapaHy. s,.s ,s' < u !
 According to ! report from the front, 'csptsin Nesteroff wes returning from
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-09-10
CLIENT APPEALS 10 WILSON TOPR0!EC!!
 II FROM INVASION

New York, September 0.-"The Indc- pendent makes puhlic today the text of the message In behalf of Beisiuns sent Presidcnt Wilson by Major Lonis l.. Seaman, together with message from F. Braun. the bursomaster of Ghent. as folIosvss
 office of the Bursomaster.
 "City of Ghent. September 3. 1914. Monsieur: I have read with emotion and at the same time with great satis- faction, the generous and powerful ap- peal that You have addressed 10 the President of the United statas of America. am deeply grateful to you. and. in the name of my fellow citizens, thank you with all my heart
 (Continued on Page Elshtl
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-09-10

an aerial reconnaissance when he saw an Austrian aeroplane lowering . over the Russian forces. presumably with the in- tention' of dropping bombs.
 The Russian aviator immediately head ed straight for the Austrian at full speed. Although he must have known well that victory by such. tactics could be- gained only at the cost of his own life. he dashed into. tbe Austrian aeroplane. The force of the impact caused the collapse of both machines. which plunged to the earth, the two ayistors, meeting instant death.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-09-10
Germans Fail Tn Attenpt to
 Pierce the French Battle. L11e
 English Troops Win Victory
Fierce Onslaught of Teutons
 Repulsed in Bloody Fight British Troops Cross the Mdrne-Gerrnans Retreat

Bordeaux September 9(Via London, Il 45 )The fol lowing official communication issued here o'clock this afternoon:
 sOn the whole the Germans appear be beginning ment of retreat.
 he strategic position of the French troops improving judge of battle extending 100 kilometres (about 63 miles}
 The Germans experience difficulties pro- visionng
 1n general the French troops be gaining the vantage"
 Bordeaux, September 9-(1045 )-The following of fcal announcement issued tonight:
 "On the left wing all the German attempts to break the French lines the right bank of the Ourc river have failed We have taken two standards
 he British army has crossed the Marne and the enemy has fallen back about 40 kilometres (25 miles)
 On the center right wing there notable change
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-09-10

eTal staff Announced in Berlin on Sep tember 6 that two of the Maubeuge forts had fallen,f and that the solid fire of the German artillery was or that date being directed against the town. which was in flames.
 On the same date an official communi- cation given out in Paris. said that Mau- beuge continued It's resistance. A French official announcement under date of Sep tember referred to the French defense of Maubeuge as follows:
 The minister of war has telesraphed to the, governor of MaLbeuge. expressing the government's admiration for the he- roic sdefensc and saying: ss You, stopsat nothing to prolong re- sstance until the hour Of your approach- inE deliverance, which hope wili be soon.s" fsf
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-09-10
MERCHANT CRUISER
 A TOTAL. I.OSS

London, September 9.-t1l l 45 p. m. )--Tfe official press bureau issued the following announcement tonight: The merchant cruiser Oceanic. of the White Star line, was wrecked yesterday
 near the north coast of Scotland, and has become a total loss All tine officers and crew were saved.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-09-10
Post- Season Series

Norfolk va.. September s,-Norfolk, winner of the Virginia league pennant. and Winston-Salem, champions of the North Carolina league, will play a series of seven games, it was announced to- day, for the championship.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-09-10
GERMANS RUSHING .60,0O0 MORE MEN ID REINFORCE ARMY ALLIES Ostend Dispatch Says New Army Is Advancing Into
 France-Dutch Liner
 Taken by British

London, September 9.--German re- Inducements estimated at 6O,O00 men are. advancing into France in three columns, according to an Ostend dis patch to the Reuter- Telegram com pany.
 London. September C1:54 D. m. )--The 'Holland-American line steamer Noordam, bound fer Rotterdam from New York with German reservists and a general cargo destined for Germany, has been captured in the Atlantic and brought into Queenstown by a British cruiser.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-09-10
.Resigns on Account .of War

London, September 9. 92O ?. m Prof. H. Julius Eggeling, professor of Sansbrit and comparative philology ats Edinburg university since 1875, has resigned his pro- fessorship on account of. the war. Dr. Eggellng was born in Germany in 1S42
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-09-10
Engagements Believed Pre- liminaries of Great Battle Extending From Meaux to Verdun
ALLIES POSITIONS
 OF DISADVANTAGE TO TEUTON FORCES
General Pau Reported Ad- vancing North of Sezanne. Further French Successes Are Reported

London, September 9.-(9:40 D. m.)-The allied armies con tinue to have the advantage, according to French official re- ports, in what only can be the
 preliminaries of great battle
 extending from Meaux, north
 east of Paris, to the fortress of Verdun, about 200 miles farther east.
 The Germans, who have brought up endorsements, are striking at the
 allies left and center between Mont lmirail and Vitry-Le- Francois, a front of from 30 to SO miles, but each time
 they have been driven back. I This is not surprising to military
 men, as the Germans have been com
 pelled to advance through the swamps
 of the Petit Morin, and then. over bare
 uplands to the extremely strong French position on the right. It is their only chance. however, and it is
 expected that they will strike and strike again.
 The Germans arc brnsing their rein forcements down from Citations on the t.. nicsous aud Sompuis, in tie face of the French artillery posted on the heights. i which give tho French tt great advantage. PAU ADVANCING
 NORTH OF SEZANNE General Pau, who commands the center Of the French army in this district is reported to be advancing north of sezanne towards the plateaux commanding tho center of the whole battlefield On his i! left the British force has driven the Ger mans across the Grand Moiin and Fetit Mofin rivers towards the Marne itself. while on the extreme left the French l sixth army, advancing nom Paris alonS the ourdq river, have had further suc- cesses and are threatening General 1 kluck' communications.
 In tho east the Germans so far have l failed in their attempts to break across | the river and sthrough the hills of Ar gonne bet Vttry- Le- Francois and verdun on the fsS WtnS of the allies I Again, accordiug <& French reports there has been no action against the 1 Grand couronne of Nancy. and in the Voyages and Alsace the situation re- mains unchanged.
 | All this favorable news has cheered : the allies. but military critics warn
 (continued on Page Eaght)
Omaha daily bee., 1914-09-16

for bills Buckingham wanted and he folt
that Buckingham was getting even by
making him speak
DIR. II. NJ. McCleenshan spoke Of Omaha
as a surgical and hospital city and Ar
thur Mullen spoke OF the great amount
OF advertising Omaha gets out Of Ak-sar-
Ben the nation over.
+. NJ. Martin was the tango victim of
the evening.
The ticket books for admittance to the
show have run out. The book covers
win be accepted at the gate "Wednesday
evening for admlttance.
1t was announced that the organization
now has 2,45O paid members.
Omaha daily bee., 1914-09-16
BERLIN IGNORANT
OF MOVES IN WEST
German General Staff Gave Public
No Details Until Yesterday of
General Campaign.
PEOPLE ARE VERY ANXIOUS
Statement Issued Declares All
stories that Battles Unfavor-
able 90 Germans Are
Untrue.

Copyright, 1914. by Press Publishing COD
ROTTERDAM, Sept. 15.-(Special Cable
gram to New York World and Omaha
Bee Berlin Is not allowed to know the
exact facts about the last few days OF
fighting and public opinion in the Ger
man capital not only is III informed, but
anxious and fearful. Not until yesterday
was the public given any details. Then
the German general staff declared that
movements had taken place, which had
led to a new battle, which was favorable
10 the German army.
IAN the news published by the enemy
stating that the battle is unfavorable to
us is untrue" reads the statement. since
September a new battle has begun on
the front from Paris, Vereun, Nancy and
French Lorraine. The German army has
kept Its position and Upper Alsace has
been cleared from the enemy by the army
OF General Won Hcirengsn.'
The German story Of operations between
September 5 and 9 is interesting. The
general staff claims that the allies sortie
from Paris IN the direction of Cropy
was repulshed by the army OF General
Won Kluck on September and s, not
withstanding that the sortle on the Sec
ond day was supported by French srtil-
lery. The statement continues:
AT the same time the field army was
attacked on the lipe from Meaux to Mont
Mlrah. The wear parts OF the German
right wing at Cropy have withdrawn
owing to the overwhelming force Of the
enemy. Notwithstanding that the French
attack has been5 broken and the with
drawn German wing has captured fifty
French cannons and 1000 prisoners
THE French have not succeeded in
breaking through the German center. but
on the contrary have been forced back
on vcrdun The outer defenses Of Vor-
dun have already been taken. The at
tack on the line between Verdun and
Tout was begun at the same time from
the east and west"
Omaha daily bee., 1914-09-16
department orders.

WASHINGTON, Sept. lS.--(speclal Tel
esram)-Postmasters appointed;
In Iowa-Acworth, Warren county, Al
media J.. kenoyer wv H. Kenoyerl,
Bridgewater Adair county, Farley A.
Chate (Grace A. CovelDs Cylinder, Palo
Alto county, Edwin B. Benson (Alies A.
Jonesli Ely, Linn county, Frank w, elias
~. Stanek); Fairfax, Linn county, Will
IAN Delaney tE Heaton); Percy, Marion
sounty. j. Lawrence Cochran (C A.
Alnerll Rissah, Harrison county. Freder-
lek A, Hushaw ezra Mlller) Raleigh,
sonl; Rhodes, Marshall county, Lena IL
hildreth &C. l.. Satterfield); RidgewRy,
Mlnneshiek county Nick Schuets IN l..
Hathaway, Stanley, Buchanan county
Harry a. Noodson George Richands) ;
stockport, Van Buren, county, Gustavus
Anderson (F. M. Lucasl. Watkins Benton
county, Burt L. Wyehotf 90. S. Haagpyj.
In South Dakota--Martel, Mcpherson
county, Emil Smolnisky Jacob Null
oeier, resigned); Weta, Stanley county,
Chester A. Brock q. }. Scion. resigned)
Postmasters reappointed;
In lowa-Farmersburg Clayton county,
Ava r. Rogers; Frederick. Monroe
county, Ernest IL. Mcdaniel; Luana,
Clayton county susan NJ Chapman; Iu-
Lerne, Benton county, william kouba
Mingo, Jasper county, L. r., Everett
West Grove. Davis county, Elvin NJ.
Pensions Granted in Hebraska-Mar.
garet ]. Woodworth, Bartlett, ti2; Fred
Crosse appointed rural carrier al Scran-
ton. Ia, and Peter r, Zimmerman al
Groton. 3. D.
Omaha daily bee., 1914-09-16
AMERICANS TRAVELLING ON
FOOT ARE WELL TREATED

LONDON. Sept. iS-TNe correspondent
of the Daily News at ostend says that
two Americans who arrived there from
Brussels made the trip partly by foot
They had rough time Of II. but wherever
they met Germans the waving Of their
American passports secured them polite
treatment, At sottegem, they came on
a party OF German soldiers in tavern
and the lieutenant In charge OF the party
invited the Americans to sing q song for
them. The Americans obliged and the
Germans reciprOestsd by providing them
with a good dinner.
Omaha daily bee., 1914-09-16

N@VHNlnueu lIOun rage OnesJ
------------A
given out at the FRISCO office mere today
as follows;
HENRY WAGNER. Harrison. Ark.
W. a. qHILDERS. Glover Mo.
MRS. JOHN MYERS, Thaycr, Mo
~ II. sTOCKSTlLL, Springfield. Mo,
fireman.
VEKNoN CALVIN, Rumiey. Ark.
GEORGE COKEY, Green Forest. Ark
II. w. NEWKIRS, Hannibal, Mo.
c: NEAL, ketchum. OIL
MRS. ELIZABETH RoSTETTER
JOHN MYERS, Thayer, Mo
LENA MYERS. Thayer Mo-
DAlS1 PERRY, address unknown.
ELSIE CALVIN, Rumley Ark
w, w. Nayler, Springfield, Mo.
ANGUISH WErNkR, 81 Louis, Mo.
out, lower teeth crooked black hair.
slight trace OF gray black dress, black
shoes, no jewelry. Thought TO be Mrs.
George Brown.
BOY, II years old.
WOMAN. aged 81; opal ring.
NAN % years old; clasp pin, initials
MAJ, 50 years old, plain band ring, in,
tlals 'R, p. ". laundry mark ''E. D.Y."
WOMAN, A. years old. blacq bead neck
lace, gold pin and plain band ring.
WOMAN, aged so.
WOMAN, aged 40 to 90; auburn hair.
prelude.
GIRL, IL or is years; blue set ring;
gold plated bar pin; wore slippers and
white stockings.
WOMAN, wore bracelet half moon pin
crescent; SGT pink ring. coral cameo;
pearl necklace.
WOMAN, % to IS years old wore ring
engraved "E. V to r. X April 8, 1872"
WOMAN, aged 20, blonde, weight 1856
pounds.
BOY, years old, blue pants. red striped
shirt. ring bearing initial p"
Omaha daily bee., 1914-09-16

Of the lines ON the ground that the Next
can government owns a majority Of the
stock. The authorized capital is $4,000 OoO
gold. of which practically all the common
stock Is held by the Mexican. government
The system has total of mileage OF
more than 600. most of all standard
guage, practically covering Mexico. There
are various issues OF bonds OF the prInci-
pal company and the constitutent COM
panies. the system absorbed IN 1908 The
total stocks and bonds Is nearly $500. 900
Omaha daily bee., 1914-09-16
GERMANS PUSH BACK
RUSSIANS In PRUSSIA
CONTINUED from Page onel

under the administration system.
The following incident Of the Russian
pursuit and the Austrian retreat has
been received here. II appears that forty
men Of the scouts regiment swan the
wide, rough Vistula river and succeeded
in blowing up or setting afire an enor-
nous quantity Of the stores Of the re-
treating Austrans. including two Aus
TRAN steamboats, seventeen pontoons
eighteen laden barges, a large number OF
smaller boats and RATS and a consider
ebale quantity Of military equipment.
This daring act. which was done under
cover OF darkness, was one of the main
causes Of Austrian distress on the retreat.
A large part OF the Austrian army lie suf-
fering from hunger as a result Of the
destruction of it's commssariat."
Meet No Resistance.
PETROGRAD. Sept. 15.-(Via London)
The general staff has issued an an
nouncement as follows
Russian troops are progressing along
the lower stretches of the san river with
out meeting resistance from the defeated
enemy. who continues to retreat"
After having occupied Grodek, sixteen
miles west Of Lemberg, and reached Mos
ciska, thirty-seven miles southwest OF
Ltmberg. the Russians find themselves
winthin a single days march Of Przemsyl.
There was no fighting on Monday in
eastern Prussia.
Emperor Nicholas has conferred the
decoration Of the order Of ST, George on
Lieutenant General Radko Dimit,ief for
his eminent services in the field
Omaha daily bee., 1914-09-16
State Federation
of Labor Meeting
lFrom q sad Commandment

'FiVih 1Stdii NofIeSPohVehtl
LINCOLN, Neb., Sept. l5.-(Speclal Tel
egrsm)--The annual convention OF the
State Federation of Labor was In session
here today The delegates to the number
OF 100 were welcomed by Mayor Frank
Zerung and Goyernor Morehead' and the
response was made by President Charles
b. Towle OF the association,
II is understood that the university re-
moval. tax reform. woman suffrage. the
workmen's compensation act and other
measures TO be voted on this fall will re-
eeivo consideration before the session is
over.
Other speakers we're George Lockner OF
Lincoln Typographical union. Mrs. Al r.
Barley, William Maupin and President
Reynolds Of the state organization.
Omaha daily bee., 1914-09-16
Senate Republicans
to Oppose War Tax

WASHINGTON, Sept. l5.-President
Wilson returned to the capital this morn
ing at II o'clock and drove Immediately
to the. White house, where he had con-
ference with congress leaders over the
war revenue bill
Senate republicans. at a caucus today,
decided TO fight any war revenue measure
in any form.
Chairman Underwood OF the ways and
means committee yielded today to pro-
tests of democrats against the tax on
freight and agreed to let tonight's caucus
decide
Omaha daily bee., 1914-09-16
SOME NIGHT IN THE HOTEL
Red Devils Take it Unto Themselves
to Go on a Little Tear.
KING AK UNABLE TO STOP THEM
only Fact that one More show
Mast BE Given stops Them
from Ending Season and
Furniture.

II was rather wild night at King Ak
Saf Ben Den last night. IL was Omaha
nisht, and 70 all lntents and purposes the
las. regular show and Initiation night OF
tho 5,ason., \ special show and initia-
,ion Ia TO be put on Wednesday evening
for tho bankers OF the state when they
are here for their convention. but never
the'csz ~ all normal rules Of the game,
a. night was the last performance OF
! season.
= TIE Toys sot bit loose in their
l.e5 On the stage. This by no means de-
~ { from the general effect OF the
tiv
Charles Time Comes.
Few Charlie Gardener Is always more
lrrs o. a spectacle in red tights. Well.
i' .; the string OF inferior devils" on
8 10 ase have long thought so. too So
J y nisht they made free with the head
tHtto Yea, and Charlie was not crazy
'rt he i!bert,es they took. 80 he had 70
non hlmieif with bedslRt to uphold his
ttu.ty.
Thcn Cfief Dunn, the head coal stoker
rwfs par..cyiafly stubborn about the mat
ter % saovolinE coal with a snow-shovel.
lie argued tho matter 30 long that Bill
Lawrence ioet the cue until at last he
'tumhlod" that the chief was only killing
time until the music should start, for he
wanted TO sing and the orchestra had
forgotten about him,
II was a temptation for the boys to tear
up the fixtures. being the last night, but
they had 10 remember that the special
show for the bankers was scheduled for
Wednesday and that the fixtures, wagon,
cart, bull and all. would be much needed
The Speaking Stunu.
Everett Buckingham presided over the
speaking. He praised the entire staff Of
the troupe and pointed out that there are
many faithful boys In minor parts In the
show who do not set a due amount of
credit in the course OF year. Ed Simon
spoke Of the days in the Legislature when
he could not see his way clear to vote