Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-09-13
HEAVY REGISTRATION
PRESAGES TRIUMPH
FOR MAYORS FRIENDS
Figures Exceed Those of Any
Year in History Except
1911-Blankenburg
Pleased
SEES VICTORY CERTAIN
History Will Repeat Itself, He Says.
Republicans Will Vote for
Reform

A sweeping independent victory at the
polls in November is presaEed by the
heavy registration of voters this year.
Independent leaders are rejoicing over
the size of the registration, as 1t is evil
dence of the interest taken in the cam
paign by the voters.
Unofficial figures indicate that more
citizens have qualified to vote than at
any other election in the city's history
except that of 1911. Official figures for
the first two days, with unofficial figures
for last Saturday, give a total of 2S7,446
voters 'who have qualified to vote at the
election this fall.
In 1911 the registration was 296,556. In
1914, when Governor and a United States
Senator were, to be elected. the registra-
tion was 272S71. Leaders of all parties
expect that when official figures for the
third day this year are available the
total will be from 100000 to $4,000.
Mayor Blankenburg, discussing the
heavy registration, said that the indica-
tions are that the history of 1911 will be
repeated. That year, he pointed out,
large proportion of the voters had en-
rolled themselves as Republicans, and
took part in the Republican primaries,
but at the general election voted for the
Independent candidate.
HISTORY TO REPEAT.
THAT is exactly what will happen this
time" said the Mayor. "I was talking
with a Republican yesterday who will
vote for us, and there are tens of thou
sands Of others who will do the same
Four years ago the Republicans had a
heavy registration, but they voted for us
at the general election. I feel more con-
fident than ever before that we will elect
our ticket by great majority"
Organization leaders were surprised at
the large registration. The campaign
had been regarded as listless in Organiza-
tion circles since the Harmony" deal on
Thomas b. Smith was completed.
The enrolment in the different parties,
as compiled for the three registration
days, follows:
bepss bePuulieans 2l1 436
Washington party ................... 20,7i0
~ uoIle ';''''''''''''''....' $50
-'o'i-Poi 'lsdn '''''''s' ..'............ 2l,O6S
Leaders of all parties credit the heavy
Republican enrolment to the fact that
n presidential election will be held next
year Registration this fall entities the
voters TO participate in the primary next
spring without registering again, pro-
Vided or course, they vote this fall for
a majority of the candidates on the ticket
OF the party whose ballot they ask for
next year.
At the headquarters Of the Public Ser
vice Committee of One Hundred the fol-
lowing statement was issued today:
The total registration for this year
Is the largest in the history of the
registration law with the. exception
OF 1911, the year when Mayor
Blankenburg was elected
A large registration is always favorable
to independent movements. as inde-
pendent voters are those who are re-
miss II there is any shortage in registra-
ton. The most interesting feature of
the figures returned is the large increase
IN the registration In the most inde-
pendent wards of the city; for example,
the 22d. S4th, 4Sd and 18th. In fact, ali
OF the markedly independent wards of
West Philadelphia and the northern mart
or the city show large increases. II was
In these wards that the independent
strength lay I'm 1911.
While the total registration is about
5000 less than the final registration I'm 1911
the total in the independent wards shows
a large Increase over that year,
The night this year at the general cleo
tion will, as is always the case in Phil
adelphla, be fight fundamentally be-
tween Republicans who are opposed 10 the
domination of their party by the con-
tractor bosses and those affiliated with
the gang. The large enrolment In the
Republican party is, therefore, not indica-
tive In any case of the popular attitude
NOT since 1911 mas the same interest been
manifested in any election. The citizens
OF Philadelphia understand the Immense
Importance OF securing a competent ana
honest administration during the next
four years. That is the reason for the
large registration.
HUGE INDEPENDENT GAINS
Tremendous gains In the Independent
wards, substantial gains In the Ware
wards and a big falling off In the Nc
Niehol wards are the outsta nding fea-
tures o. the registration. The 26th Ward
was the cry Ware ward to show a falling
on, All of TIE other South Philadelphia
In 1914 ''A'
In the strictly McNichol wards. eom-
prising the Sd Senatorial District which
includes the 5th 9Th, 10th. ilth, i2th. isth,
18th, 10th and 18th Wards. there was a
big falling OF except in two wards the
llth and 18TH. There was also a falling
on In the Sth Ward. the home ward Of
Thomas b. Smith, the Organization can
didate for Mayor.
The gains In the independent wards
were greater in the 18th 34th, 4Oth. l2d
and 4sd Wards The gains In these wards
averaged 1000 more than the registration
of 1911.