Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1924-07-29
U1,teracu and the Ballot

T1HE National Education Association of
Washington, through it's committee has
ascertained that four million three
hundred thousand illiterates can vote for
President this fall. Add to these, says the
committee report, those who have concealed
their ignorance or have been overlooked by
the census takers and the figures will be
doubled. Then there are those whose Iiteracy
covers only the ability to read a little and
sign their names but who have not the
slightest acquaintance with the issues of the
day the records of the men who repre-
sent them, and conservatively the gross sum
may again be doubled With the voting
strength of the United States placed at fifty
six million it will be safe to estimate that
twenty, or even twenty-five, per cent of the
electorate are to cast votes which repre-
sent no convictions other than those of local
leaders, which convictions too frequently are
colored by personal interests.
OF course this is not new situation.
1t is likely that the conditions are better
than they have ever been except in centers
of imported citizens, and undoubtedly they
will continue to improve, though slowly.
The duty of the hour for good citizens is
to cast votes that will offset the ignorant
ballots, and this is duty sadly neglected
throughout the whole country. In the
presidential election of 1920 less than half
the voters of the United States went to the
polls, and while there are no statistics to
show the character of the voters then, it is
we'll known that the defaulters are largely
from the ranks of business men and women
who take no part in politics.
Says the report quoted: aside from a
menace to government and handicap to citi-
zenship, the effects of illiteracy on commerce
and labor are highly deeterious," and no
thinking will disagree with this 1t
is one of the inconsistencies of business life,
that men successful in their own fields will
trust legislation which directly affects them
to others whom they would not employ in
any branch of their business at any price
This is an evil conspicuous in the south.
So far as illiteracy is concerned gratifying
progress in its cure is being made by school,
church and civic bodies. To carry the
school into every neighborhood is always
duty of the hour, but the school without
the parents cooperation is useless and the
illiteracy of the parents is given as the
chief barrier to the school. Here is field
for missionary labor that will count. Igno-
rance is both suspicious and generally selfish
and its obstnacy passeth all understanding
To get the confidence of ignorant parents
and nstill into them the beauty of sacrifice
for their children is difficult and delicate
task, but women like Martha Berry are
doing It, They accomplish it by matching
service against sacrifice. Holding to the
easily illustrated truth that knowledge is
power, and forever urging the old scriptural
command Get wisdom, and with all thy
getting get understanding" they break the
ancient bonds and free the child mind. What
a mission, what a conservation. what a vic
tory!
Now, Tommy" said the teacher, 1--WE
have arrived at a most interesting point in
ancient history. Tell us about the trium-
virate"
We'll, Anthony, Augustus and some other
Teller formed a triumvirate."
Eyes, yes" urged his instructor, so on"
That's about all l know"
And as Tommy took his seat he Whispered
to the boy next to him; shes bear for
details.
Like father. like SON" is the old saw
but eirl may like the son without having
any use for the old man.