The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1924-07-24
WASHINGTON LETTER

By William L. Daley, National Edi-
torial Association. Special to Sank
Centre Herald.
Washington, July 23-Military
boards of strategy had no more diff
fcult problems to solve in localizing
full strength of the Army than those
which confront the national commit
tees in charge of Presidential cam
paigns. The latter have real prob
lens on hand in overcoming the COM
placency of the average party MEM
Der and the alarming Indifference of
the American citizen as to the eXer-
else of the electoral franchise. In
the headquarters of the various polit-
ical parties here, in New York, and
Chicago, the organization plans for
the campaign will embrace the all
important question of bringing out a
large vote in November. The lead
ers are thoroughly cognizant of the
Importance of the stay-at-home vote,
which, it is said, is sufficient to
change the result of the Presidential
election in vast majority of the
states.
Several representative leaders
were interviewed by the writer this
week concerning their plans for the
campaign. 1t is natural that these
political chieftains should stress the
characteristics, influence and quail
fcations of those heading the various
national tickets, but, underneath this
formal attitude, note of concern as
to the actual numerical strength OF
their parties is easily observable.
AS one recognized leader described
the situation: "The mental attitude
of the average voter that his or her
vote does not count must be changed
if party systems are to survive. There
is another group which is satisfied
that their party will win because OF
surface indications. 1t may be
Iikened to the complacency of newly
married couples who are gradually
awakened to the truth of things.
Less lip service and more actual vot-
ing is something that all parties need
today"
There are a number of political
leaders who have expressed some con-
Germ over the woman vote. 1t is
true that in the Presidential elections
of 1920 the women voted in impress
sive numbers in all states. But the
politicians are now fearful that the
woman voter generally is losing her
interest in the electoral franchise, at
least insofar as national ticket is
involved. Several prominent cam
paigners even go so far as to say
that many women voted four years
ago for the first time and that the
novelty having worn off they will not
ro 70 tbo pollc tbic uoar
1t is pointed out, however, that
there are, of course, exceptions to
this statement in regions where local
issues are bitterly contested, and the
women voters are persuaded to turn
out in large numbers. Those who
actively supported legislation which
conferred suffrage on women insist
that it is desirable from many points
of view that women should partici-
pate more freely in public affairs.
The national leaders of political
parties feel that it is time that the
theory of the chronic Pathfinder
that his particular vote bears little or
no significance should be changed.
These chieftains believe that the best
results may be obtained from inten-
sive educational work in various pre-
cincts. The opinion has been ex-
pressed that there are too many fault
finders within the various parties who
complain of the shortcomings of their
leaders or representatives in legisla-
tive assemblies without doing any
thing at election time to bring about
desirable changes. In other words,
active party workers resent the claim
of grumblers to party labels when
their actions indicate that they are
anything but helpful to party well
fare.
1t is sad commentary upon the
American citizen generally to realize
that not so per cent of those quail
fed are voting. Simon Michelet, a
Washington lawyer, has made an in
innate study of the absentee voter
problem. Figures compiled by Mr..
Michelet show that for every 100
votes cast for President in 1920.
there were Sc stay-at-homes, The total
absentee vote reaching the vast az
gregate of 25,705,06 This st:y- at
home total is arrived at after deduct
ing S.67,625 disqualified citizens of
q years and over, including about
100000 alien or unnaturalized for
elgn borns and over Z,0O0,9O0 litter
ate citizens, white and coiored, dis
franc'iised under the election laws of
IL Southern States. The stay-at-home
vote, the study disclosed, is not char
acteristic of any particular section,
but is more or less common to every
section, North or south, East or West.
There are many potential voters
who claim the right to vote in sew
eral states is hedged in by require
ments which are very discouraging
to a person who really desires to ex-
ercise the voting privilege. Some
complain about the registration sys-
tenn but this is necessary procedure
to make certain the right of citizens
to vote. The registration lists of quail
fled voters are doubly- necessary IN