Evening star., 1924-10-21
Cure the Non-Toting Evil.

= The slogan emphasizing the duty Of
=tis qualified. American voter to vote,
which Tho Star is carrying for A few
Gays, is that Of the Lions Club, which
II vigorous -Ntt:Gnwide carlpaign is
Iatriotically endeavoriug through the
newspapers TO impress uDon American
eoters the vital Importance Of this
civic duty. The Lions Club Of Wash
-Lleton believes that this duty may
.Wholesomely be emphasized in vote.
less as we'll as IN voting America.
= Some effective device is surely need.
I'd 10 stir up lethargic voters 10 the
voluntary performance OF civic duties
or 10 compel them to perform these
duties, If they will not do SO volun-
Arily.
The poll tax, instead Of being a nee.
sssary preliminary to voting. should
be rigidly applied as penalty for not
voting. Instead OF eXacting payment
Or. the privilege Of voting a penalty
should be imposed for neglect Of this
DUTY.
Disfranchisemeni. coupled with
ether severe penalties, should be in.
aicted upon hahitual violators Of this
obligation Of good citizenship
Citizens should be compelled to vote
lust as they are compelled 10 pay
taxes; though the voting obligation
might easily become Il valued privi-
tege to be enjoyed. while nothing prob
nbly will ever make the taxpayer s
obligation source Of JOY.
But -compulscn. as experience
teaches. will not fully compel. and re-
sort in the end must be had 10 appeals
TO the reason and conscience Of the
American citizen.
The people can always prevail in
the United States. If they will to do
so, even under the present clumsy and
often perverted election methods.
Everybody knows that the evils Of
the present day are largely atrriputa-
bic to neglect by the people OF their
privileges-to failure to attend pri-
maries as we'll as failure even to go as
the citizens highest duty to the polls.
1t is because the average citizen at
tacfes too great weight TO his busi-
ness and too little weight to his citi.
zenship that bosses and machines"
get control. 1t is through the neglect
by the average citizen of his civic
duties that the great trusts. combines
and monopolies have attained strength.
The affiliation Of venal and preda-
tory wealth and of predatory and
venal pauperism is the republics dan
ger. The great middle class can and
must control. Whatever arouses the
people to this sense Of responsibility
and duty, and produces intelligent ac-
tivity on civic lines is wholesome, for
: the real cure is in the conversion of
the individual voter from foolish,
selfish apathy to. intelligent, earnest
activity IN performance of his civic
functions. and not in punitive legisla.
ton compelling him to vote.
Millions of us, with power of Ameri.
ran sovereignty i'm issues of war and
peace, Of property. of life and death,
neglect TO exercise this high power
and fail to meet the corresponding
obligation. As represented by these
recreant millions. we add to this sin Of
omission another. in that we fail to
permit the Americans of the District
Of Columbia TO exercise the rights Of
American sovereignty which belong to
all qualified Americans. Thus we will
not vote ourselves, and like the dog i'm
the manger) we prevent others from
voting.
Let us make frank confession Of our
sins of omission, repent, reform!
.