The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1923-01-11
WE AGREE WITH MR.. sYMMONDs.

WE AGREE WITH Mr.. SYMMONDS.
We find it very easy to agree with the sug-
gestion of Frank S. Symmonds former District
Attorney of Kenosha county, that some imme-
date action should be taken by the legislature
to improve the methods for elections in Wiscon-
sim
Election machinery in Wisconsin has been
running for a good many years. and it lacks the
modern touch which goes with one hundred per
cent efficiency. The methods of holding cleo
lions may have been all right fifty years ago,
but for a real 1923 progress the present meth
DDS must appear decidedly antiquated.
We do not believe that it should be made
easier to vote, but that it should be made
harder We believe that legislation can be
passed which will bring little more interest
into election and added interest in election will
mean added interest in government. Registra-
ton of electors has long been demanded by the
laws of Wisconsin, but cities and counties have
not thought that it was desirable to meet all
provisions of this law Unregistered voters
have probably dictated the outcome Of great
many elections in Kenosha, and in all parts of
Wisconsin, and the election that is dictated by
an unregistered voter is usually an election die
tated by selfish interests.
The man or woman who is sufficiently inter-
ested in the outcome of an election should be
sufficiently interested in the government of his
city or state to give some forty-five minutes a
year to such participation. This would include
time for registration as we'll as for voting. The
registered elector is the fellow who thinks the
franchise worth safeguarding. The unregis-
tered and affidavit voters are usually the fell
lows who drop over to elections with the sole
purpose of helping to put some friend on the
city or county pay roll, and this is the entire
extent of their interest in government.
Registration of voters is nothing difficult. If
a man can vote by mail, he can register his
name as a voter by mail, and registration
should be made paramount to voting. We be-
1eve that every man and woman entitled to
vote should have a chance to register his or her
Voteybut if he wants to vote should be willing
to register.
Kenosha county can do the state real SER
vice right now by sending to the Legislature
bills which will demand that only registered
voters, or those who can show that it was i'm
possible for them to register be permitted To
vote. If this plan could be enacted into law
and with it some plan which would make the
work at the polling places work which could be
humanity done in the hours set for casting and
counting the vote, long step forward would be
taken in the conduct of elections. The great
trouble is that no one seems to think of the
Importance of all election except when some
fellow starts a contest for a city or county
job. Much more important than the election of
q few officials is the development of public in
terest in government. This can be done if the
proper safeguards are thrown about elections.
Voting is both duty and privilege, apd the
right kind of laws would drive this home to a
lot of people who are apt under the present law
to regard it as a convenience to help some one
into office rather than means of expressing i
willingness to participate In the machinery of
the government.
II Kenosha county can start a movement
which will bring revision of the election laws
it will have rendered service to the state
which will be a notable service and which would
be reflected in better government in the future.