The Morning Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Okla.) 1919-1927, 1920-07-29
ABSURD ELECTION LAWS.

The death OF Congressman Morgan brings
TO light another serious defect In the election
laws OF Oklahoma. Mr., Morgan's death
CURED after the period for fling had closed in
the Eighth district. but more than 80 days
prior to the primary itself.
Because the Eighth district is overwhelm-
ingly republican and because MIR, Morgan
very popular In that district ne pas practically
without opposition. A man by the name of Her
rick. living near Perry. had flied republi-
can, although he is an eccentric character who
has sought Jtfice on every party ticket and is
not accepted either as a republican OF even
possible congressional material. Hyde, a demo-
crat. who was defeated by Morgan two years
ago had filed.
In some way other not rs yet satisfac-
torily explained. another democratic candidate
has managed to get his name on the primary
ballot. although at the time Of Morgan's death
his name had not appeared. A possible cxplana-
tion is that Hyde. who is a Gore man, was un-
satisfactory TO the machine, and that Harris.
the other man. is a Ferris supporter.
Under the law. as construed by the state
authorities. there is way to get the name
o. a republican candidate on the ticket This has
the effect OF disfranchsins the majority of the
voters of the district and forcing the election OF
n democratic congressman.
Under the law is would be possible for the
congressional committee to supply a candidate
had Morgan died after his nomination and be-
fore the election But as affairs stand repub-
leans must either support the reported utterly
impossible Herrick, the democratic nominee,
whichever one OF the two is nominated, or stand
disfranchised on the congressional issue.
a.
would be possible to write in the name of a
ca ndidste suitable and acceptable, But not 80
in Oklahoma. For 1t is the law that any mark
ballot other than the cross In the square
o, circle mutilates the ballot and it is thrown
out without counting.
The repugnance of this law can be stated in
no better way than TO present "A hypothetical
case, Under the construction given by the state
officials It is alleged that when candidate dies
or withdraws subsequent to the date fixed for
closing the filings and prior to the primary
there Is no remedy under the law. The oand-
! dates who are left remain without competition.
This directly opens the way to a thorough
| corruption OF the election machinery of the
state Suppose cabai should arise that sought
| the gubernatorial and legislative control OF the
state above all things. ny simply blding Its time
criminal assassination, kidnapping the
! profligate OF money, leave either party II
chose to operate against bereft Of candidates
The voters having no alternative would be com
| PEELED to elect the remaining candidates.
Impossible you say? Not at all Improbable
yes But the mere admission that 1t Is possible
demonstrates the utter impossibility OF the pres
ent law. Chance has operated to bring about
a condition in the Eighth that design could bs
employed to bring about in every district in the
state and In the state as a whole.
The law Is supposed to safeguard the inter
erests OF the people in any and all contingencies
No scientific law would permit possibility
such we have just described.
II may bo possible for the republicans In tho
Eighth to get candidate on the ticket after the
nominating primary. But even he must ap
pear on the ticket as an Independent. thus Civ
ing tremendous and admitted advantage to tn,
democrat and the eccentric republican.
Thus once again 1t is clearly perceived tha
the election laws OF Oklahoma were designed
not TO afford protection to the voters OF tn,
state but to give advantage to the democratic
party.