Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1914-09-04
T Fl e SEN TINEL
REGISTRATION.

II is not too early to remind our readers
that on the twenty-second of September
will begin an entire new registration of the
voters of this State. 1t has been a good
many years since a similar event took
place, and while many may object to the
trouble it may give them, the responsibility
OF the citizen remains and should be met
fully and cheerfully.
IL is well known that annual revisions
OF the registration books are never thorough,
especially in the counties, for a variety of
reasons. In the course of years large
number of names of deceased or removed
voters remain in the lists. affOrding opportu-
mites for fraud, or at least for the accusa-
ton of fraud and for the denominations
which confuse and obscure the substantial
issues which should engage the public at
tention. There is, therefore, strong reason
for an occasional purging of the lists Of
voters, in the interest Of the public welfare,
and the individual citizen should be will
ing to contribute his part toward securing
an honest record of the voters of the
county. and through them the honest and
intelligent expression of public opinion
upon the questions If nolicv which may he
presented for decision. This he can do
best by promptly having his name placed
upon the registration books and by urging
his neighbors to do the same.
There are several reasons. apart from
the general obligations of the citizens of
republic, which appeal with especial force
at this time to the people of Montgomery
County, why this duty of registering should
be performed.
In the first place, every man is supposed
to do his duty, to himself at least, and he
is poor conservator Of his own interests
who by his neglect places himself in a
position where he cannot put his opinions
into action or even so much as invoke the
law OF self-preservation for his protection.
The man who voluntarily deprives himself
OF the right to vote, for the time being and
to considerable degree expatriates him.
self. He may be Indifferent to the candi-
dates in the field at a given election, or he
may consider that he will not be seriously
affected whatever way n particular ques-
ton is decided but he cannot tell, in these
rapid-mOving days, what questions vitality
affecting him and his community may be
presented tomorrow, and he should avoid
the self-reproach which his neglect may
bring upon himself and the injury it may
inflict upon his neighbOrs.
Secondly, in local affairs good govern
ment depends mainly upon the character of
the men selected to administer them. This
is an aspect in which politics touches every
man in the county. In order that his in
fiuence may tell in a practical way, the
citizen must have the right to vote in the
primary election. This right he cannot
have unless he is a registered voter. Next
year Governor, legislature and boards
OF county commissioners must be elected
and candidates for these offices must be
nominated by the voters of the respective
parties. What the intervening year may
bring forth no man can tell, but whatever
it may be, the man who fails to register
this fall can have no voice in the matter.
He will be disfranchised by his own act.
Nor is the election in November of this
year without its significant and powerful
appeal to our people. A Democratic Fed
eral administration, which has crystallized
all OF its more important pledges into law.
is asking that its acts be given fair trial.
and it has done nothing to forfeit the con-
fidence of the country. Maryland is to
elect senator and six representatives to
the next Congress- Every consideration
demands that this State. at least shall
stand by the Administration and hold fast
to its political faith.
Moreover, the startling events in the
old world point to the wisdom of retaining
the Democratic party in power at this time
The diplomatic relations of the country are
satisfactory, and a change would bring
confusion into situation that is full of
uncertainties and critical to the last degree.
No one dare prophesy to what extent we
may be affected by those conditions, but
every man should be in position to do
his duty when the occasion calls and in
whatever way the demand may arise.
II has been the habit of the citizens of
Montgomery County to meet their political
obligations earnestly and manfully. Some
thing more than usual is asked of them at
this time, but the reasons given, to which
many Others might be added. are sufficient
to induce them to make the necessary sac
rifices to insure full registration of all
who are legally entitled TO vote