Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1924-04-13
The Obligation of Citizenship
BY FREDERIC ]. HASKIN.

Is citizenship in England or in
Germany of greater value than citi-
zenship in the United States? Are
the English or Germans better citi-
zens than Americans?
The man who ventured to ask these
questions and answer them afirma-
lively in the presence OF any con-
siderable number of Americans might
find himself subjected to rough treat
ment. At least he would be treated
with ridicule or contempt or his as
sertions would be met with indig-
nant denials.
Nevertheless, these are questions
that are asked by thoughtful leaders
of national affairs in this country,
who say that if the answers are to
be taken from election returns then
1T is high time for Americans to stop,
look and listen. The record. on the
face of these statistics, is against us,
In England in the last parliamen-
tary election more than so per cent
of the total number of possible vot-
ers actually went to the polls and
cast their ballots, while in Germany
80 per cent OF the possible electorate
voted.
In the last general election in the
United States less than 80 per cent
Of the total possible vote was actu-
ally cast.
According to the last census there
are $4,000 900 possible voters in this
country, but in the presidential cleo
ton of 1920 only 26.000.000 men and
women exercised the great preroga-
tive of their American citizenship.
In the congressional elections of 1922
and the congressional elections are
of almost as great Importance as the
presidential - this 26,0o0,o0o had
dwindled to approximately 10000, 600.
Making due allowances for the num-
Der of colored citizens in southern
States who could not vote If they
wanted to and tried to do so, 1T is
still apparent that not more than
half of our citizens value their fiti-
zenship enough, or have suhcient
feeling Of their responsibility and
duty IS citizens to go to the ponins
places on election day.
Low Vote for Senator's.
Striking figures may be cited in
connection with the election OF
United States senators. In Iowa, for
example, where the percentage of
illiteracy is the lowest of any state
in the Union, and where consequently
the standards of citizenship should
he highest, Senator Brookhart was
elected by 20 per cent of the total
possible vote. There are 1,367,212
citizens of voting age in Iowa, ana
the total vote for senator was but
s15,5s4 of which Senator Brookhart
received 3S9.751.
senator Copeland of New York was
elected by IS per cent of the possible
total vote in that state, Senator
Shipstead of Minnesota, 26 per cent;
Senator Frazier of North Dakota. 80
| of Uoc u, ina I'm
II per cent; Senator La Toilette OF
Wisconsin, IS per cent; Senator
johnson of California % per cent:
Senator Lodge of MASSACHUSETTS,, y
per cent, and Senator Pepper OF
Pennsylvania, 1879 per cent.
In the days when candidates for
office were nominated by conventions.
the failure of a large element OF the
citizenry to vote was explained ire
quently on the grounds that the
average voter really has no voice in
the selection of candidates and hence
was naturally Indifferent on election
day Bosses and party machines
ca silly dominated conventions, 1t was
argued. and practically decided the
results of elections before they were
held.
Hence the adoption of the primary
system of nominations was urged and
it was predicted that il this could be
brought about the immediate result
.
public officials, but the participation
of practically all qualified voters in
the primaries and elections.
But with the primary system gen.
orally in effect throughout the nation
no such results have been shown.
Almost invariably the vote at
primaries is lighter than at elections,
and the figures with respect to the
latter have been quoted.
A Priceless Privilege.
'~rhe priceless privilege OF Ameri-
can citizenship" has long been one
of the stock phrases with which we
have voiced our national pride, just
as 1t was the proud boast of the
ancient Roman that to be a citizen
of the Eternal City was to be greater
than a king. But If citizenship is
. priceless privilege, how can any