Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1921-07-08

EDUCATION ONE
GOOD SUFFRAGE
QUALIFICATION
Continued From Page one.)

them intelligentIy. As a matter of fact
he usually votes his party ticket, or does
not vote at all.
This amendment also removes the word
male" from the constitutional Qualifica
tons. Some men of mean dispositions
are chuckling because the women have
concentrated their efforts on this as the
one important thing in the election, but
they are misguided. OF course, from
practical standpoint, the change is quite
immaterial, because wOmans suffrage is
here to stay. whether the amendment is
adopted or not. The effect Of the change
is much the same as correcting q mis-
spelled word in the constitution. But
literary State like Indiana should not
have a palpable anachronism in its con-
stitution; and the feminine mind natural
" revOlts against unconventional ap-
pearance there, just as st objects to men
wearing suspenders with negligee shirts
No doubt most of the women viii take
an intelligent interest in other and more
serious questions presented.
WHAT CONSTITUTION
SHOULD PROVIDE.
And, incidentally, this is a good time
to consider what the constitution should
provide, as well as what is offered TO
the public; and this section is striking
pie who refuse to pay pou taxes be al
lowed to vote ?? Clubs and social or
CARNATIONS Of all kinds usually do not
permit their members to vote unless they
p have paid their dues. Why should not
the political society do the same. and
for the same reason, /. e., that one who
viii not pay his dues is not really inter
ested in the welfare OF the society. and
should not have a voice in the expen
diture of the dues paid by others. An
examination Of the tax duplicate Of Ma
rion County, a few years ago, showed
that, in round numbers, out Of 5000
persons listed for poll taxes, 5000 had
not paid, and could not be made to pay,
because they had no property. In other
words. one, sixth Of the voting population
refused to pay their dues-refused to
contribute anything to the common bur
den, because they could not be compelled
TO do so. In this class are most OF your
purchasable voters, whose presence makes
corrupt elections. How can you expect
good government under such conditiOnsF
Stiu more. there should be an educa
tional Qualification for suffrage. Our
free schools are not for the private ad-
vantage OF the pupils. You can not levy
taxes for private advantage. They are
based on the declaration Of our consti
and learning, generally diffused through
out a community. being essential TO the
preservation of a free government" In
other words, they are intended to make
intelligent voters. We pay over S3J0O0.
600 year for the support Of free schools;
and half that much more for our three
State colleges. We have a compulsory
education law, and truant officers to en-
force attendance. If a child lacks proper
books or clothing the public furnishes
them. And yet, If a boy or girl grows
up under this system without learning
how 70 read and write, we reward them
with the highest privilege OF citizen
ship. by making them voters; although
we know there must be something about
them that units them for citizenship.
Honestly,'is 1t not unfair discrimination
for people who do such things as that
TO put part Of their number into insane
hospitals and schools for the feeble
minded? Why not be decent about IT,
and open the doors Of these institutions,
aud say; Come out and help US gov
ern ourselves tntelligently?"
POLITICS SEEN
IN OMISSION.
Why were not these qualifications for
= voters prescribed in this amendment
They were provided in the Marshall con-
stitution in 1911. and not an objection
10 them was made publicly. They were /
however. the chief causes OF Republican !
opposition to that constitution, and they
are omitted now for the same reason-
the Republican leaders fear that they
would lessen their precious negro vote.
No doubt they would, though. in all
proba 5ility, these qualifications would
hit the Democratic party quite as hard.
But the negro as a citizen is one thing.
and the negro as a mere asset of the
Republican party is quite another. No
more grievOus wrong could be done to
the negro as citizen than TO. make him
an obstacle to public welfare to enhance
HIS value as a political asset. But that
is exactly what the Republican leaders
are doing in this case, and. unhappily,
1t is a. public injury in time of war as
well as In time OF peace. few days
ago, addressing the National Guard Of
fcers at Camp Edwards General Perish
ing said:
We have wondered at the large num-
Der Of slackers. but men who could
neither read nor write, and who have
= never read the Constitution. could not
comprehend their vast obligations. The
problem Of the better education and
physical development Of the American
youth IS a community problem, but it
Vision. 1t should be made the obgiga-
ton Of each and every citizen. and par
ticularly those who saw service In the
Army and Navy, and know the require
ments OF those services, to see that the
accomplishment Of the ed1cation provid-
ed for in the laws Of almost every state
is'enfOreed."
The necessity Of primary education of
voters, to maintain free government is
fundamental principle of Indiana gov
eminent. There can he no stronger in
eentive TO that education than to make
Il a qualification for suffrage Certain
~, every thoughtful citizen must wish
Tor the speedy triumph OF that stalwart
Amerlcanism which would deny the bal
lot l. every One-native or foreign born
who cannot read and write the English
language.