Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-09-08

The question Of registration of SOL
der voters on the field is the source
of some discussion in certain quarters
and inquiries have been made at the
Department OF State 8 to the exact
manner in which the soldiers quail
fcation to vote in any certain pre-
cinot Of the state is to he Determined.
The contention has even been made
that the soldier desiring the right TO
vote must establish the fact beyond
per adventure of doubt that ne is
registered as a voter in the precinct
where he claims his residence. 1t Will
be readily seen, however, that such a
ruling rs this would cause no end OF
confusion ard would necessarily re-
suit IN DISTINGUISHING the greater
number Ct the soldier boys who have
answered the call of their Country.
This is a contingency which Secretary
Ball is firmly determined shall not
arise and he confidently believes that
public opinion will uphold him in his
endeavors to give every soldier who SO
desires, an opportunity to vote upon
September 10th.
The provisions of the Constitution
ere specific and leave little room for
doubt as to the exact procedure 10 be
employed. The State Department
CONSTITUTES section three Of Article four
to mean that the supervisors Of cleo
tions-crested by this section-are to
sit on the field as a specially created
board of registration. The exact
phraseoiogy Of this section bearing
upon this particular phase of the
question is S follows:
ION the day Of election a poll shall
be opened at every place without this
State where a regiment, battalion,
battery company or detachment Of
not less than twenty soldiers from the
State Of Maine NAV be found or sta
toned, AND EVERY CITIZEN OF
SAID STATE OF THE AGE OF
TWENTY-ONE YEARS, IN SUCH
MILITARY SERVICE SHALL BE
ENTITLED TO VOTE" This would
appear to preclude any suspicion of a
doubt as to the real intention OF the
Constitution and to make the inter-
probation clear.
Not content with this. however, the
Constitution provides further along in
the same section for the determination
Of the soldiers right to vote when it
states, and the quotation Is verbatim
"the three ranking officers Of such
regiment, battalion. battery. company,
or part Of either az the case may be,
acting as such on the day Of election
ehall be supervisors Of elections.
And before receiving any votes the
supervisors or a majority of them
must be satisfied of the age and Cit
izenship Of the person claiming right
to vote. ana that he has in fact res
idence in the county. city. town or
plantation which is printed or writ
ten on the vote offered by him. II his
right to vote Is challenged they may
require him 70 make true answers up
IN oath to all interrogatories touching
his age, citizenship. residence and
right to vote and shall hear any other
evidence offered by him or by those
who challenge his right"
An opportunity. however, remains
for those who STAY at home to pre-
sent evidence looking towards the dis
franchise Of the three Of four thous-
snd Maine soldier hovs at the various
military posts who have voluntarily
elected to thrust themselves into The
thick Of tho turmoil when the returns
gre oreneA mp hv the Governor and
Council. THIS opportunitv is provided
nv section eightv-four Of chapter sew