Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1927-11-26
Plan 1928 Vote Drive

A drive to interest he citizen ~~siackers" Of the
United States In their duty rs citizens and voters will
be undertaken By the Department Of Political Eduea-
ton OF The National Civic Federation Of which John
Hays Hammond Is the head. according 10 announce
ment recently By the Federation. Every effort viii be
made to induce the 100000 voters who did not 80
TO the polls in 1924, and the 100000 who likewise
failed to register their respective preferences in 1926,
to vote in the presidential election in 1928.
The Federation takes the view that political re-
form throughout the nation depends upon participation
in government. Much Of the unrest is due to the fact
that government by a minority can never be satisfac-
tory, though that minority may represent the political
thought Of a vast majority. Leaders in the ~get-out-
the-vote" movement assert that the 1923 election
should be q clear-cut expression OF the majority and
that the only way that expression can be obtained is
by inducing the voters to participate in the election.
The Federation is strictly non-partisan. Its mem
berE and its leaders represent all political faiths.
However, they believe that Americanism should be
paramount to partizanship. and that the true ideals Of
Americanism cannot be effectively disseminated un-
less the American people are willing to assume their
duties as citizens.
1T il immaterial to US how they vote. so long IS
they vote" is the way one Of leaders expressed the
purposes OF the organization. I'VE believe IL the duty
Of every man and woman eligible to vote to 20 to the
polls and cast his or her ballot according to their re-
spective political beliefs. When they do that they are
performing what should be a sacred duty, the most
important duty Of an American citizen"
No American worthy Of the name can contemplate
with equanity the political conditions now existing in
many parts Of the country which are the direct re-
sult Of the ~apathetic attitude Of the voters. The gov
errors Of two states are openly charged with the SELL
ing Of pardons and contracts. The governor Of another
has been forced TO refund 100000 for interest IL
legally collected. Two-thirds Of the legislature Of an
other state are calling for an extra session to impeach
the governor upon the charge he Is a CRATER. the state
having recently impeaehed a former executive upon a
more serious charge.
In many Of the cities the same condition exists
due 10 the failure Of tie voters % maintain control OF
the government. One Of Americas greatest cities is
now apparently controlled by machine gun bandits. A
mayor has been convicted under the corrupt practice
act. The crooked manipulation Of assessments in an
other city has become an open scandal. and last but not
least the fragrant graft exposed In connection with the
oil scandal rankles in the heart Of every loyal citizen.
There IL one way 20 clean the slate and keep il
clean. When every American citizen exercises his duty
as a citizen, graft and scandal in connection with our
federal, state and city governments will cease to exist.
But just 50 long as the American voters refuse to rec
ofnize or perform their duties, crookedness and graft
will continue TO be Haunted in open defiance to every
precept Of Democratic government.