Omaha daily bee., 1916-11-06
South Had a Cinch.

One of the curious miscaiculations
as to the vote of 1912 was the estimate
that Wilson, being a native south.
erner--a Virginian born--would bring
out an exceptionally large southern
vote. In the eleven states with large
negro populations, the old secession
states" Of Virginia, North Carolina
South Carolina, Georgia, Florida,
Alabama, Tennessee, Mississippi
Arkansas, Louisiana and Texas, with
a population of 23,073,603, polled for
Wilson l,554,70S, while New York
state alone, with a population of g.
4S2,l26 polled l,sS7,SS5; percentage
for the eleven southern states, .07;
for New York, ISL. These eleven
southern states voted In proportion
to the population at the ten presi-
dental elections as follows for the
democratic candidates: For Tilden
in 1876, 1927; for Hancock, 1880,
.l776; for Cleveland, 1884, 1866; for
Cleveland, 1883, 1924; for Cleveland,
1892, 1903; for Bryan, 1896, 1925; for
Bryan. 1900, .l0l7; for Parker, 1904,
.o7OS; for Bryan. 1908, .077s; for Will
son, 1912, .0772.
Middle West Votes Most.
Analysis Of the presidential vote in
the last ten elections shows also that
the middle-western states have in
variably been the most constant
patrons of the ballot box. For ex-
ample, the middle-western states of
Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Illinois,
Wisconsin and Iowa have invariably,
IN proportion to population, voted
above the average percentage for the
United States. The New England
states are slightly below the average.
The southern states are now about
halt the average. The western states
having woman suffrage have greatly
raised the average percentage for the
union: The state that has so far
polled the largest vote in proportion
to population is Colorado, which
polled 1873 per cent in 1896. The high
record for other woman suffrage
states that have included women in
the voting SO far shows $50 for
Idaho; 1876, Utah; ia, Washington;
", Wyoming; 26.3. California. Won,
en- have voted in Kansas, but not yet
Tor president. They voted two years
ago for congressman, and the result
shows that they raised the highest
percentage of FAC for that state to
over 2o.6.
What About This Year.
The question rccurs, what will be
he total vote cast for president this
,ear5 There would seem to be good
ground for expecting an increase, on
lccount, at least, Of the large ac-
:ession OF women voters.
The percentage of Arizona's vote
without woman suffrage in 1912 was
OH; in 1914 in the vote for COVER
Tor i was Els. Colorado's vote for |
PRESIDENT in 1892, prior to woman |
outrage, was 2l.3; in 1896, with wom-
IN suffrage, it was 38.S Idaho raised |
Ter average percentage, with woman
outrage added, from 22.2 to 34.4;
oregon from 1873 to 3l.9. The votes
IT women have added from II to Is
yer cent to the former average vote.
Looking at the election figures for
he last forty years and facing frank
conditions as they appear, there is
o escaping the conclusion that the
interest of the body polite in the at
airs that most intimately concern it,
S expressed by the ballot, is so lack
lg IN substantial manifestation as to
ause serious misgiyings in many
uarters. This is a fact, notwith-
landing the time and thought and la
OF, given by lawmakers to the preser-
alton OF the rights that attach to the
xercise OF suffrage. The demands
Or remedies have been generally an
wered, as may be seen in the Aus
allan ballot system, qualifications
exclude elements that are ignorant
vicious, through corrupt practices
I'd campaign publicity measures. In
lite of these well-meaniug endeayors,
opular appreciation of the signifi-
lnce and sacredness OF the ballot is
lything but theme for felcitation
r the patriotic citizen.
Class that Always Votes.
Yet everybody observant knows that {
ose whose voting is the least de-
rable are surest to go to the polls
orking for their own interests, or {
id to do so for others, while the q
dustrious mechanic, the laborious
rmer, the man Of study, the mer-
ant and the professional man. all
no really form the sinew and sub /
ance of the state shirk the discharge Ii
his suffrage duty as sacrifice he y
res not to make and does not have :