Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1881-07-02
PLATFORM OF 1881.

Mr.. James A. L. Mcclure, of the
committe on resolutions, presented the
resolution offered by Mr.. Roberts ap:
proved. Also the following address
To THE DEMocRATIc CONSERVATIVE
VOTERS or THE STATE You have pass
ed since 1867 through many severe con.
ficts, but you have maintained the con-
troll of the internal affairs Of the State
and have kept the State 10 steadfsst OPP
position to the purpose of the Republi-
can party to centrslize the powers of tie
Federal government. Your success has
bees wholly due to your collective pow
er of graspiBg the questions which con-
Germ Jour interests aud Of enforcing
obedience TO your requirements.
STATE FINANCES
UBder the influence OF many different
causes an undue part of the burden OF
taxation on account of the Indebted ness
Of the State, county and municipal gov.
ernments was imposed for many years
upon your houses aud lands. ln 1876
your representatives 10 the General As
sembly, supported by your hearty co.
couragements, commenced to check this
growing evil They were of the opinion
that all forms of wealth 10 this State,
not exempted from taxation by irrevoc-
able contract or because of consideration
of public good. ought to bear their just
proportion Of the public debt. The G~n-
eral Assembly Of 1878 aud of 1880,
Influenced by the same convictions.
maintained the same policy, and, aided
by the wise adjudicstions of our courts
have succeeded 10 distributing more
equally the burdens Of the public debt,
aud of the expenses OF State, county,
aud municipal government.
REGISTRATION AND ELECTION LAWS.
The registration OF the voters of this
State by the Republican party, uuder
the constitution Of 1864, admitted to
the privilege of the elective franchise per-
sons not entitled to vote in this State
aud excluded from that franchise O
large body OF citizens who actually pos.
sessed the right to vote. You have co.
deavsred to correct the lists then made
by The reVisions authorized By the acts
of 1867, chapter 1856; 1868. chapter
297, 1870, chapter 459 1874, cha pter
400, aud 1876. chapter 249. A more
thorough method of correction must be
applied. The remedy to be adopted il
not open to debate. The State Con ven
ton declared 10 1879 that the General
Assembly ought further to secure fair.
ness in election by providing for a cor
rect and accurate registration by compe-
tent officers, at the earliest practicable
period Of time, of the names of ell per-
sons entitled to vote in this State. The
great majority of the Democratic Con-
servative members Of the General Asse N
bly, of 1880 sndesvored to fulfill this
obligation. Il is the duty of this con-
veDtion to Insist upon the ample redemp-
ton Of the pledge given by its predeces-
sor 10 1879. Lave regulating the reg
istrstiOn Of qualified voters, and laws
regulating the conduct of elections, at
which such voters may cast their ballots,
are, collectively, intended 10 afford op
portunity for the fair expression of the
opinions Of those who form the elective
body Of the State. Such laws ought to
form part of one well digested article ir
cur code.
This convention, therefore, ass umes
the responsibility of tanning committee
whose duty it shall be TO prepare snC
present TO the next General Assembly
at the opening Of its session. a complete
and impartial system, embodied in on
article, providing for the registration o
qualified voters and for the conducting
Of all elections 10 this State at which
such qualified voters may be authorized
TO cast their boAots. The commiite
shall consist of the governor and the at
tOrney general OF The State; lion
Charles b Roberts, of Carroll county
Hon. Henry d. FarnaOdis, Of Hsrforc
county; Hon. Philip Francis Thomas
of Talbot county, aud Hon. s. Teackl
Wallis. Of Baltimore city We ask yol
10 instruct the senators aud delegate
whom you msy nominate 10 give thei
fullest aud most cordial aid 10 perfectiDJ
the bill thus presented and 10 eDacsipt
il as law.
OTHER REFORMS.
This convention is of the opinion thai
the interests of public justice requir
that the methods OF selecting the CRANE
and petit juries, Of which :be create
part of this State has now the advantage
should be, by proper authority exteude,
10 those portions Of the State which ar