Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1870-02-26
The Fifteenth Amendments in Marv.
land.

Now that the Fifteenth Amendment Is about
10 come into practical effect, the politicians of
maryland are beginning TO discuss the question
What to do with II, - that is to say with regard
10 the new voting element brought into the
held Hon. Benjamin G. Harris, of ST Marv,s
county, ex-member of the House of Repre..
sentatives from the Fifth District of MARYLAND
has addressed a lengthy letter to the st. Mary,s
Beacon, the Democratic organ of that county, i'm
which he advises opposition to the enforcement
OF the Fifteenth amendment in MARYLAND, and
proposes plan whereby he thinks his ideas of
resistance to the Constitution OF the United
States may be successfully carried ont.
He makes the remarkable suggestion that III.
REGISTRY laws Of Maryland be amended so as to
require that every register of voters shall take
an oath that he will not obey the reouiremepts
OF the Fifteenth Amendment; in other words.
that he viii place upon the registry as voters
none but white men. This done by tn, Lepi sla-
ture, brings the matter to an issue at once. He
believes that the Supreme Court will have juris-
uctlon In any case likely to arise under this
Amendment, and he processes to have no doubt
what their decision will be. Mr. Harris in this
connection INDUCES In a bit Of buster ADVISING
the people Of Marylynd "to stand firm, regard.
less OF the threats Of knaves and tyrauts. and
the victory viii soon be ours"
The Democratic Adrocate, of Westminster. com
menting upon Mr.. Harris letter, SAYS that 1.-THE
rourse he advises would be fruitless to thwart
the action OF the Amendment" and thinks il
VIII be wiser in the Democratic party to acaui-
esce In the Amendment "wish what grace it
can That paper holds that the proper course
for the Democracy is to poll every colored vote
possible, and says that on a full vote OF the
white population of the State their party Ia, a
majority of at least 1900, and that as the fun
Republican vote of the State is not over 40 900
AT most including every negro voter, that at the
worst the Democrats will still have a majority
oi lo.coV IN the State. The Aav0cate then aryues
that II It's programme Is successful carried out
in Maryland and other States the Democracy
VIII soon have a majority in Congress. the
amendments be repealed, ETC., etc.
The Hagerstown Nal, one Of the Democratic
Journals Of Washington county, is of opinion
that mat party will receive a large increase
from the colored vote.
The ST. Mary's Beacon holds that the
coiored citizen has not the right, under the
anehamen, TO vote Al State or municipal cleo
tons 1t argues:
confers upon the negro municipal sutfrase in
rCn-c0rSentiag States. The right to yot,. for |
sieetors ior Presideht and members OF Congress |
II undoubtedly confers, but whether in th,. an
senee OF favorable State action or in the case of
nOn-aeuon by a State where a prohihition
against negro suffrage already exists IL confers
or can confer upon the negro the right to vote
Tor State or county officers is another part
OF speech At least. ii Congress shall insist
that the Amendment confers full suffrage upon
The negro in Maryland, we shall insist
That II cannot confer il against our conseur-the
night To regulate municipal suffrage being a re-
seTted right of each State-and shall advocate
That action be taken to test the question in the
courts
The Rockville Sentinel, the Democratic
paper ia Montgomery county, expresses the
opinion that the Reconstruction acts and the
Amendments are unconstitutional, and calls
upon the Legislatures OF Maryland and Ken
lucky to have the question brought immediately
before the Supreme Court OF the United States
Tor settlement.
Among other things involved in the amend |
mert business IL seems that the school law, of |
haryla are TO be altered.
A correspondent OF the st. Mary's Beacon.
writing from Annapolis, says that in view of the
passage of the Fifteenth Amendment, and ..the
certainty of the colored mans crowding to the |
polls at the next election there will be i'm
Portant changes made in the School law by the !
General Assembly; that ''the appointment of |
School Commissioners will he taken out of the !
turmoil Of politics and vested in the Judges of |
the Circuit Courts or Orphans Court, and the
appointment of District Trustees will be vested !
IL the Board of School Commissioners