The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-07-17
TO LOSE 10000


untrammeled on election day and exercise
his sovereignty.
It is very evident under the ruling under
which the city clerk is acting and which
cation, that Dlany have turned away from
! books without registering, and many more
till the situation is cleared up.
To this end the Good Government club
executive board appointed me to prepare
and submit their protest and ask ma
, ture reconsideration of the matter.
Absurdities and Incongruities.
In the discussion of the ruling these
were. the absurdities and incongruities
mentioned:
1. This rule applies to only cities of
first and second classes. All voters outside
are excused entirely from registration. The
one board member who lived thirty feet
outside the city limits. in whose age the
law was not concerned at all, Joined in
protest with city members. If exact age is
so vital why IS such a large per cent of
voters excused upon their looks, or own
recognizance?
? Very many people, especially colored
people are unfortunate in having au-
thentic records of birth, yet the constitu-
ton guarantees the right OF citizenship to
all and in Section 919 there is a penalty
prescribed for the officers refusing to reg
lister the applicant.
}. If specific age is as much of a quail
| fieation as correct residence why does not
the law provide for the amended registra-
tion certificate when a birthday occurs
between registration and voting. The fact
is the law did contem plate the change of
age and for that reason fixed the legal
age as ''21 years over" because that it
unchanging and definite.
4. The poll book referred tc in the
statute: Section 912. has a blank for ''occu-
none, and ones occupation may change
any day.
There seems to be disposition to lum-
Der up the registration books with ire
levant and immaterial matter As long as
occupation has absolutely nothing to do
with voting qualifications under the law.
why try to saddle Occupation" such as
| housekeeper, "homemaker" or house
mother upon the woman who thinks she
mnst confess to something or other, and
usually occupation is suggested by the
officer in order that non essential blank
be filled.
Increases Expense to Taxpayer.
The fact is the blanks were evidently
copied bodily from some other source and
do not fit our election laws at all. If the
essentials one half the force could do the
work at saving in expense to the taxpay-
5. Any law that works hardship or en-
barrassment upon a very large number
| OF people should be amended.
There are many working men and
women who have no desire to call atten-
ton to their ages. The demand for young
blood throws the elderly man out all too
soon emphasizes his age and his employer
inevitably attributes every mistake to his
growing old.
Many unmarried women have right to
want to forget their age. because Of The
mischievous spirit of gossip that twits
them with it. Petty stuff, Ayou say?
Granted. yet all voters and public off
Gals are more or less human.
Now. In as much the law gives the
registration officer no right whatsoever
to ask how much over p years. or to be
captous about the answer in figures IT
is evident that the registrant might answer
what he chooses as long as he is within
the legal qualification or under Section
DO he may ask to be sworn that he will
be OF full legal age at next election.
But all unnecessary questions and
answers only pile up more grief in the way
of expenses for the long suffering tax
payers.
6. Finally. notwithstanding the fact that
the voters age is changing day by day,
Section l. Chapter 10. Laws of 1920 pro-
vides that If he resides continually in
one place. and votes regularly he need
not reregister, because his legal age re-
mains unchanged under registration laws.
Takes Dig at Sensitive Men.
And in submitting this the protest of
the executive board of the Good Govern
ment club, there is no disposition to be
captious, nor fault finding. 1t is offered
in the spirit of utmost friendliness and
helpfulness. 1t simply follows up a policy
inaugurated 20 years ago. of getting out
and encouraging the woman voter to regis
ter. to the end that we may have
government of all the people, by oil the
people. But let us say in conclusion that
while the burden of this controversy is
upon the shoulders of the women there
have been many sensitive men who have
refused to give their ages and have not
Registered