Evening star., 1924-11-30
Wants Census to Determine
Why Voters Vote as They Do


human nature as he studies it in the
mass will wonder as he goes along
how many persons actually will vote
against their own best interests in or
der to preserve and promote a prlnci-
pie. He will be forced time and again
TO ask himself whether conservation
to principal IL not a fetish to be ex-
posed in the hour of danger rather
than garment to be constantly worn
amid the carking cares of life.
AS I again read the book Of human
nature during the recent campaign
among all sorts Of persons in all sorts
OF places, and, I trust, with a non
partisan eye, l reached the conclusion
that comparatively small, In fact in
significant, things affect many per-
sons and dictate their votes rather
than important or outstanding issues
AS l have DO means of knowing how
'arEe this number of voters may be, 1
find myself wishing for a survey or
census OF the reasons which caused
persons to vote as they did. To in
stance, met one charming and ap-
parently Intelligent woman who told
me sho had been reared Democrat,
but was going to vote for La Toilette
because, to quote her, I'VE must pre-
serve tho American home" 1 inquired
what particular claim the Senator had
over any one else as the guardian of
our homes. Her response was quick
she said. had taken UP the defense of
tho home after Mr.. McAdoo had been
robbed of that great privilege.
n II n
I talked with working woman,
also reared as a Democrat. She was
going to vote for Mr.. Coolidge and
for young Roosevelt for Governor of
New York. Her reason was all suffi-
cient. Though she, herself. was a
working woman, she liked class and
breeding in the Official life of Amer
fca. 1t seemed to her that public
office ought always to be held by cul-
tured gentlemen descended. from a
lineage OF cultured gentlemen. VEN
tured to ask her why not Mr.. Davis
II that were her view of the qaa]ifi-
cations for public office. She said MIR.
Davis had made himself commonplace
by making speeches to the ma sses of
tho people.
On tho other hand, a Republican
told me he was going no vote for
Davis because he did not approve of
the Coolidge silence. He said Presi-
dent ought not to be a hermit. How
ever, others favored the President be-
cause he had sense enough to keep
his mouth shut. / found persons who
disclaimed any sympathy with the
church controversy, yet who voiced
concern over the possible danger of a
papal bull being let loose in the play
grounds OF America to the injury of
our children. Some / found who did
not like Coolidge's reserve; others
who insisted that Davis was too
friendly to be true: still others who
were going to vote for La Toilette.
not that they believed in the things
he stood for, but in order to give him
chance. Any number Of persons ex-
pressed discomfort with both of the
old parties and told me that each had
called the other rascals SO long that
they were inclined to cry a plague on
the houses Of both.
/ could multiply many times the
reasons that friendly souls gave me
for their proposed conduct on cleo
ton day, but the few I have related
will suffice. These reasons, together
with the post-election explanations.
which / have heard, lead me to doubt
the ability of political parties in the
time of peace and in the absence of a
great moral question to draw a line
of cleavage in respect to principles
of government, which the voters will
respect to the exclusion of personal
ideas and minor considerations. How
ever, the so-called controversy be-
tween principles is very apt to go on.
Those who love one party this year
may turn against 1t next year. The
divorce evil seems to have crept into
the electorate so far as party 10y
atty until death do US part is con-
cerned.
Copyright. 1924. by 21st Century Press)