The Morning Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Okla.) 1919-1927, 1922-07-09
MupsrMMrn REGISTRATION.

MIDsC MINER REGISTRATION.
Tho law requiring voters 20 register their
names ages description and residence prior to
tho date Of election had but ono purpose in
view; TO reduce to tho minimum Illegal vot-
ing, such as repeating and voting floating
population. Tho Legislature had no less in view
than tho purpose OF making It as ensy and
comfortable as possible for legal votors to ex-
ercIse their franchise.
However praiseworthy tho Intentions OF the
Tulsa county election board may DO IN respect
10 It's redistricting OF tho city and It's ruling.
that n complete new registration IL essential, II
has failed slgnny to respect tho real purpose
OF the registration law. and It should. before a
great injustice has been perpctrated upon thou
sands OF voters, amend it's rules in n prac-
teal common-se manner.
Let II he admitted that the election precincts
OF tho city were too large TO take caro- OF the
voters since the franchise was given women,
that to reduce the size OF the precincts and in
crease their number aids tho legal voter in the
exercise Of his franchise; docs It then follow
that previous registrations must needs bo In
validated and tho voters required TO go through
all OF tho red tape necessary TO secure new
registration?
We do not think 40, nor do vast majority
OF the old. legally qualified voters OF tho city
think so. Just few months ago there was a
change in tho voting precincts and supplement
tary registration under what at the time was
declared to be intensive inspection. That this
registration resulted In qualifying n greater per
centnge of tho legal voters OF the city than
ever before is certain. Likewise It was acclaimed
with confidence that the late city election was
tho first election held In Tusa In which only
legally qualified voters participated. and In
which there were no frauds.
Then what is tho logic OF requiring new
registration Of tho voters? And why should
such ruling be made In the midst OF the mid
summer vacation season when thousands OF
Tulsa citizens are out Of tho city and Just on
the eve OF one OF tho most important primary
contests in the history Of the state3 Possibly
ten thousand Tulsa voters will he absent from
the city and their homes during tho period
fixed for registration. Are thc7e people to be
distranchlsed by nod from the election board2
These folk are not crooks, they are not re-
peaters, they are not foaters. They have re-
sided in the city for years, many OF thom at
their present address for 10 years or more, Yet
the election board proclaims tho ultimatum
that unless these voters return here and secure
n new registration certificate during the To-
day period allotted. that they shall not portici-
pate in the primary because the board has de-
clded that no voter may swear In his vote on
election day!
Here is an assumption by the election board
that all citizens are election crooks until they
demonstrate their honesty. 1t may be that
later edict will require that all voters so TO
the police station and register leave their
photographs and have their finger prints taken
paylng a fec for such purposel
In view of the circumstances, Is II TO be
wondered at, that citizens are asking what sort
Of a game It Is the election board Is seeking TO
nut over? Even the election board VIII not
dispute the statement that under existing con-
dulons. with Tulsa IN the midst OF its summer
vacation season, that not more than 70 per cent
OF the qualified voters at most Will register IL
that the reason the election board asks to COM
mel a new reglstrauon--that thousands OF Vot-
ers may become disqualified for participation
IN the primary? Then in the interest OF what
faction Is this boinG porpotrotod2
Let us consider for a brief moment the con-
seouence OF recognizing existing registration
certificates IN the new districts Here Is
reputable gentleman who has resided at his
present address for years There has never
been the slightest quest on concerning tho
legality OF his franchise. lie Is known per-
sonalIy by every man who has otficiated at an
election within the last 10 years. The new pre-
c!nct lines take him from the Twenty-fourth
precinct, let us say and place him in the For
tieth. Now he hasn't changed his residence
at all.
lie presents himself at the polling place #
the new Fortieth and offers his registration
certificate as evidence OF his qualifications
Every precinct official knows the address on th
certificate took the voter from the Twenty-fourtl
to the Fortieth, knows that he is a legal'
qualified voter But under the ruling Of tn
election board he must be refused vote. No
only refused the privilege of voting, but like
wise refused tho privilege Of availIng himsel
of thu law which permlts him TO assume all re