The Morning Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Okla.) 1919-1927, 1920-10-25
BoURBONISM AT IT'S WORST.

From all sections Of the state come reports
showing that bourbonsm In at It's worst since
the registration period opened. The record runs
from mere obstruction methods to positive
fraud-anythng to prevent voters who oppose
the bourbons from qualifying to vote.
In various counties the registration officials
resigned Just as the period for registration
opened. New ones were not appointed. Voters
report that they have made repeated efforts
to find the rgistrar but have been unable to do
so. 1t lis singular enough that all complaints
come from those who opposing the demo-
cratic ticket Not merely republicans, but also
democrats who have made known their inten-
tion to vote against the league and those who
stand committed TO II.
Another typical bourbon practice is to send
out precinct workers to take poll of their pre-.
cinct. This ig the practice OF both parties--to
see what the lineup in the precinct H. The
bourbon representative is merely taking u poll
when republican responds but II the house
hold proves to be democratic household no
instantly turns registrar and proceeds to reg,
lister all unregistered voters at once
This in itself Is directly contrary to law In
still other instances applicants for registration
are browbeaten and all but insulted by the pre-
cnct registrars. The Saltwater Daily Press pub
fishes this account Of a registration incident in
saltwater:
Tuesday Mrs G, J. Farnsworth. wife OF
an instructor In music at the college. went
TO the office OF c. Melton to register. MIR
Melton argued for long time with Mrs
Farnsworth, trying to persuade her not to
register as republican, Mrs Farnsworth
says he told her she ought Ia he ashamed
to vote the republican ticket whom her hus-
band Is an instructor In music at the college
ana getting his living under a democratic
ha pII hon that H,
voting the republican ticket she class
ing herself with the nlggers"
FROM Wan, down I'm the eastern part of the
state, comes reports OF similar outrnges. The
bourbons there telling the people that II
Harding is elected the negro children Will at
tend white schools the separate coach law viii
be repealed and SO on
We have no great complaint to make agains
that It Is argument II men OF reputation
and mental integrity are willing to resort TO such
tactics it is unqucstionaby their privilege
But when qualified citizens are deliberately
denied the right 10 cast one vote and have it
counted as cast it is not argument but positive
crlminality, We affirm it TO be an uncontro-
Ner'@oIe fact that the rog,strg ton law does not
contemplate that the registrar shall be at all
concerned as to how the elector is going to vote.
'hat i'' only purpose is to enable all who are
euSn''eo TO vote and prevent Illegal practices
on election day.
Fhere Is but one proper test Is the appli.
can't OF voting age' has he or she been n resi-.
uen' OIL 'ha state, county and precinct the con.
s''uuohal period II 50, then both the legal and
moral obligation OF the registrar is to register
the applicant,
The political party Or the individual that
"0u'u uohy qualified elector the right to vote,
no matter what the pretext, would under favor.
@0'e circumstances overthrow the government.