Two-Vote Man

The business of the Manhattan Putnams is publishing. Major George Haven Putnam, 84-year-old son of the founder of the business, last week demonstrated that he does not lag behind his able nephew, George Palmer Putnam, or his grandnephew, David Binney Putnam, in exercising the sinew of publishing, publicity. When newsgatherers interviewed Major Putnam upon his return from a visit to England, he was ready for them with alarming news. He had never, he said, formally become a U. S. citizen. He was in the habit of voting in England as well as in the U. S. Further, he had cast his first vote in the U. S. at the age of 20.

Explanations: 1) Major Putnam was born in England, though his parents were U. S. citizens. A formal declaration at the age of 21 of his desire to be a U. S. citizen was all that was needed, but Major

Putnam was busy fighting in the Civil War when 21. 2) If England chooses to allow Major Putnam to vote, because he owns property and pays taxes there, that in no way invalidates his U. S. vote. 3) Major Putnam's first vote, at the age of 20, was cast for President Lincoln's reelection, but as Major Putnam was in Libby Prison at the time, his vote was not counted anyway.