The Nezperce herald. (Nezperce, Idaho) 1900-1957, 1916-11-23
Keep Your
Eyes Open

IN your county or counties. says
the attorney general in his letter
20 the prosecutors. II is only IN
tended 10 ascertain from these
reports the extent Of the fraud.
il any. whether sporadic or gem
eral, as only IN this way il seems
can the real seriousness OF the
situation be adequately deiermin-
ed.
The increase in the vote in this
state is accounted for by many as
due first 20 the unusual situation
that arose IN the presidential race
aud the paramount issues involved
and second 70 the natural increase
IN population Of the state during
the past four years. With regard
10 the first cause II IN cited that
Idaho was carried $1,000 strong
FOR President Wilson when this is
state normally republican by
that plurality. Many people, es-
pccially women. who never voted
before. or taken a great interest IN
the election. saw 20 il their ballots
were east November Z. and q great
majority Of them voted for Prcsi-
dent Wilson. Election officials say
they knew of specific instances IN
their particular localities where
women voted who al former elec-
tions took no interest IN nationai'|
or state issues. For the second
cause il Is pointed out that be-
cause Of the entry lands in many
counties in the state in the past
four years there has been going on
a quiet filing by settlers from all |
parts Of the United States. Many |
health permits to emigrants and
their cars Of goods were issued by |
the proper officials.
The real contest that has arisen
IN this state over the governorship /
is what is holding the attention Of
the people. Governor Alexander.
his supporters and friends, have
pcrsistcntly claimed since the
election that he had safe plural
its OF 500 or 800 votes. y. w
Davis, Secretary w. &. Gregory
Of the republican state central
and the committee have
never conceded the governor
Of over 300 and they
have cut that in two on late re-
turns. There appears 10 be de-
termination on both sides TO carry
he fight TO a finish which accounts
for the possibility il may go 10
the courts and legislature. The
friends of Davis declare they care
for the governorship 80
far as the Office is concerned but
hey wish to establish the alleged |
fact that he was elected 90 that
nigh Office by a majority Of the
voters in the state and they be-
ievc recount will do this. The
Of Governor Alexander
assert he has been fairly and |
elected by q safe plural
ty and they are opposed to any
which they claim Is PLAN
led to count his opponent in.
In the concrete here is the bone
II contention. Under the Idaho
election law an eIector may vote
What is designated as straight
ballot by placing q cross IN the
,irclc below the name Of the party
'or which he or she desires to
how preference. The instruction
N the ballot to guide the elector
i as follows: "You can vote a
ticket straight by placing an x
n large circle below the name Of
,arty you wish to vote for. You
'an scratch your ticket by erasing
lame on straight ticket you do not
wish to vote for, and placing an X
n small circle on right Of name
'ou wish to vote for. " This in-
truction sought to make II possi-
lie 20 vote ticket straight by the
lse Of cross at the top, but left 1
double instruction that if there I
yas another candidate on another |