The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1924-10-23

some newspapers in that the demand
for ballots has a tendency to tenn
porarily increase the circulation. Re-
sidence in the District of Columbia,
where the right to vote is denied, ex-
cept in cases where legal residence is
claimed in other States and these
States permit voting by mail, keeps
Washington observers somewhat
above the controversial side, as they
have relatively little personal In
terest in the outcome. These inhlDl-
tons naturally improve the chances
of impartiality. Occasionally, there
is a minor divergence from this dis
interested point of view but not sui
ficient to affect the total. With
these conditions borne in mind, the
following may be taken as fairly
accurate picture of what Washington
thinks of the relation of the "straw
vote" to the actual election returns.
The element of partially must be
considered as highly important In
the taking of a test vote. 1t is
claimed that some agencies conduct
ing the canvassing are motivated by
considerations other than free and
unrestricted survey. We like to call
ourselves strong partisans or fondly
refed to our independence of part
les. Somehow, we are always par
tial to this and that. It is human
weakness. Partially has been de-
scribed as "the understandings judg.
ing according to the inclination of
the will and the affections, and not
according to the exact truth OF
things"
1t was Lord Bryce, former British
Ambassador and recognized as a
foremost student of American prob
lens, who offered the comment that
''like other valuable articles, genuine
opinions is surrounded by counter
feits. The one positive test apple
able is that of an election, and an
election can at best do more than
test the division of opinion between
two or three great parties, leaving
subsidiary issues uncertain, while in
many cases the result depends so
much on the personal merits of the
candidates as to render interpreta-
ton difficult. " This comment is pee
uliarly appropriate in our national
elections of this year.
Some observers here are struck by
the confidence that strong partisans
place in test votes by mail where the
returns are obviously so scattering as
to warrant hard and fact conclusions.
Unquestionably, the returns often
furnish the excuse for much needed
publicity by the various campaigners.
Fluctuations in the prediction poll
bring quick explanations from the
party losing ground. The more con-
sentative and seasoned party leaders,
it is said, regard the "straw vote" as
a doubtful and convertible medium
and are not bit deceived by the
changing tide as revealed in these
convasses. Those with a mission for
party publicity do not overlook the
opportunity to use the poll to mould
opinion. 1t applies equally to all
parties.
In recent years, "straw votes"
have never appropriated the actual
returns. 1t is true that in some To-
calities, the poll has been thorough
and the actual votes and the indicat-
ed returns were reasonably close.
Research at the Congressional Lii
brary shows that the errors in esti-
nation have been more numerous.
The candidates who are low in the
present returns take some consola-
ton from the past history of prelimi-
nary surveys. And, quite inconsis-
tently, they are willing to agree with
the poll whenever the tides favor
them. Impartial consideration shows
that many persons participate in
newspaper polls who could not cast a
real vote in the elections. There are
many constitutional disqualifcations
which are not considered in the free
and easy "straw votes" In these af-
fairs, you may vote as often as your
whims distate, but in reality, the cleo
ton laws prohibit "repeaters. Of
those who possess the electoral fran
chise, the leaders of today are openly
counting the neutrals or Independents
who do not attach themselves to any
party. v
An unvarnished statement by the
real leaders would reveal the fact
that concern is manifested over the
splitting of ballots because of state
issues. Everybody admits that
danger turks in this form of party
lrreguiarlty for the average person is
fearful of losing his ticket through
unintentional errors in marking the
ballot. Just now many public men
take it upon themselves to be the or
acle of their party. 1t is fair con-
lecture that they are deceiving no
body.