The Washington herald., 1920-09-07
MEN
V0TEIN
Henry M. Camp Contends
Voteless Residents Should
Return Home.

Editor The Washington Herald,
With reference to the editorial
appearing in your issue of Sunday,
August 2s, 1920, Absentee Voters
Rights" l regret that your publi-
cation apparently sees fit, in part,
to consider as it does, the civic
duty on the part of the State voters
in Washington in the matter of 60
ing to their homes, to vote at the
coming election.
This article states, that ITO go
to their homes and back is not
feasible with their salaries and
their living expenses as they are.
Civic duty is as Grimly beautiful
this year as ever, but where is the
cash? In the party treasures?
Possibly, but the managers are not
shouting, w, pay the fares This
applying to States where registra-
tiOn and voting must be done in
person.
Contends Voting n Duty.
It Is assumed that most of the
voters in Washington visit their
legal residence in the States at
least as often as once in four years
to see the folks" and renew ac-
quaintanCe with old friends and is
it not reasonable to feel they will
do this in combining a trip of pub
lie duty and pleasure this year in
order to vote? The State elector
temporarily residing in Washington,
with a legal residence east of the
Mississippi River, is subject to an
average railroad fare expense of
$40 once in four years to vote at
Presidential election, or SO per
year, for both a trip of duty and
pleasure. If a reduced voters rate
is granted as heretofore this would
amount to around $27. Would you
think this expenditure excessive,
in consideration of a cherished
right of suffrage possessed by these
legal residents? Many an inhabi-
tant of Washington would be glad
to stand this expense if he or she
could only vote in some State.
The Republican party managers
Of Washington are not paying the
fares of any voters and we are
Glad to be able to say that up to
this time none have applied to head
quarters for financial assistance of
this kind. This indicates the true
spirit of genuine American citizen
ship on the part of the average
State elector in this city.
Admits Exceptions.
1t is the duty of every voter in
Washington to prepare for the trip
home at Presidential election pc
RODS if he or she continues to max e
claim of a legal residence in a
State. We are appealing to all
voters, no matter what their past
political affiliation may have been.
to realize their civic duty and be
willing to stand the small outlay
necessary with which to fulfill their
duty at this election by voting.
There are just exceptions to mak-
ing a trip home, in cases of merit
where the voter cannot do this by
reason of actual financial inability.
Our great ambition is to see the
fullest possible manifestation in the
duty of American citizenship by the
regular exercise of suffrage.
1t has been the constant effort of
the League OF Republican State
Clubs and the National Republican
League to have State laws enacted
through which the absent voter
may register and vote by mail.
The recent war helped this cause
considerably and these organiza.
tions hope that very soon num-
Der of other States will be added
to the list OF those wherin the ex-
pense of voting will consist of but
a few cents for notary fees and
postage.
HENRY NJ. CAMP,
Chairman, Campaign Committee.