Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-08-06
CONFUSION AND OBLIGATIONS

There appears to be some con-
fusion OF opinion respecting the
throwing out Of the vote OF st.
Agatha and the reviewing OF the
vote OF Ward 4. Portland. 1t is pos
sibie that the fact that no vote
thrown at st. Agatha was legal.
while It Is presumed many OF the
votes in Ward were legally cast,
has been overlooked. st. Agatha
aid not comply with mandatory re-
quirements for holding a primary
election; Ward 4 did. In the latter
place the voter properly enrolled.
registered and all that. found
legal booth In which 10 mark his
ballot. This many undoubtedly did
and II possible their votes should
he counted. As we understand It
the meeting at Portland is not for
the purpose Of permitting Ward 4
TO vote over again. but for those
who honestly voted TO produce evil
Gcncc that they did SO.
In the case of ST Agatha there
was under the court decision no
legal ballot in the box: In the case
Of Ward there were legal ballots
in the box and these should be
counted II possible TO do so.
There is about this procedure at
Portland some appearance OF incon-
sistency. We have not had OPP
portunity to read the Courts de-
cislon and It's accompanying reasons,
but it occurs to us that no mandate
has been made upon the voter. II he
prefers secrecy to having his ballot
counted It is within his province to
refrain from stating how he voted.
This hearing in effect is the only op-
portunity the honest voter may have
for avoiding Acknowledgement, as 1t
gives him a chance to present evil
dence that his vote in the primary
was legal. Were there no such OPP
portunity for sitting out the legal
votes the entire ward would be dis
franchised.
D.. No one, we feel sure. certainly no
well informed person will for a mo-
mcnt think that this procedure Is
any other than an honest effort I'M
der the law and the finding OF the
Court to alleviate the fragrant wrong
Which appears to have been done by
rascally officials in Ward T. Portland.
in that view OF 1t good citizens seem
TO be under obligation to make the
best OF It. We hope they will also
appreciate the obligation they are
under to insist that the State of
Maine. which evidently has been
flouted by corrupt ward workers
stand upon its rights, protect its
good name, its laws and its rights
by bringing the rascals to their de-
serts. 1t may be a complicated az
fair. OF course Is complicated. but IL
Is not the only complicated problem
which the aw has had to take
cognizance of and many of these
have been ferreted out. This should
he, The people Of this state should
be loath to accept excuses for not
doing It. Meanwhile let us not for
get to afford the honest voters in
Ward 4. Portland. every protection
In their rights possible.
Another perrlexity in some minds
Is that about DISTINGUISHING the
Sotcr. Some seem to forget that
voter may be DISTINGUISHED by the
bet OF another, as where the election
officials do not provide legal
facilities for voting. also he may
disfranchise himself in many ways,
among which are failing to comply
with the requirements as to regis
traton. learning TO read. and so forth.
He deserves 10 be disfranchised II
he fails to make use of the
facilities afforded for expressing his
will at the polls, he does not deserve
this If he has done his part under
the law, We hope a way may be
found TO protect the honest voter in
his or her right.