Deming graphic., 1920-10-26
THE COURIER CLAIMS
NEGROES CAN'T VOTE.
! Words Of Republican State Central
Committee Chairman Distorted
TO Suit the Democrats
THEY MsINTERPRET DECISION
Try TO Make il Appear That Women
Have Not the Right TO Establish
Separate Voting Residence

by twisting the words " George H.
Craig, chairman Of the republican state
central committee, and distorting an
opinion given out by the attorney gener
ais office, the Courier trys to make
II appear that the republicans of Col
llnbus have been making conscious
effort 10 register for voting negro sol
diers and their wives who are not en-
titled TO vote In Precinct No. 3. Both
Mr.. Craig aud the attorney general
have been fair in the natter of the
negro voters of Columbus. II has new
cr been cOntended that just because II
soldier had been year in the state.
ninety days In the county and thirty
days In the precinct he was entitled TO
vote. His right To establish a voting
residence In Columbus, however, is un-
questioned except few of the dem
OcrntS of Columbus. Mr.. Craig says
frankly TINT u large majority of the
negro soldiers are not entitled to vote
The attorney generals office has never
recalled its opinion to the effect that
IL Is possible for wife to establish n
voting residence separate from that Of
her husband. The attorneys of Luna
less of party, that many of the soldiers
aud many Of the wives of soldiers. liy-
ing In COumbus are entitled to vote.
The issue Is 80 plain that an attempt
10 dlstOri the very clear opinions given.
amount to an attempt 10 corrupt the
election. II Is the duty of the
Courier and every ohcr responsible
medium to counsel the excited parti-
sans to keep within the law and thus
avoid the contests and disappOintments
sure to follow questionable election.
What the attorney generals office
reilly believes about the right of wives
Ia establish voting residences separate
from that of their husbands Is given In
the following recently issued opinion:
Santa Fc, New Mex. Oct. 22, 1920.
Mrs. j. q. Seth. Santa Fe, New Mex.
Dear Madam
A few days ago this office rendered
you an opinion in answer to the follow
ing question:
Can the wife of a man who comes
to this state. furnishes Il home and
lives here over year, register and
vote at her husbands place Of resi-
dencct'
ht ullSNtTfu lillN UutSiibh lllhts hN
Stunning that the husband deemed his
residence to he permanent in this state,
the wife would he entitled vote. In
support of our opinion we cited TO YOU
Corpus JuriS, which sets forth the gen
rrnl principle of law that the legal res
idence of Il married woman Is that of
her husband.
Since this opinion was issued we
deemed 1t advisable to supplement 1t
with II fuller explanation. as II appears
that the same may be- misconstrued to
deprive women whose permanent res
idence Is in this state, but whose nus
bands live outside the state. from vOt- |
ing here.
Under the present status of women
IN regard to the right of franchise. l
am Of the opinion that wife can ex-
crt the right Of choosing her husbands
residence as her own. or the place
where she lives. II that is her perma-
nent residence. for voting purposes.
do not wish the opinion which was
rendered you. while strictly correct, to
h. construed to mean that under no
cOuld wife have u diff
fcrcnt residence from tnat Of her
band.
Very truly yours.