The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1881-12-31
An Absurd Registration Bill.


amendments to the present law would have
suficed. There is no necessity for much
change. No new registration for the coun-
ties was demanded, and no reason existed
for one No law could procure falrer
registration, and the purity of the elections
has never been questioned, save III Baltl-
more city and in Anne Arundel county
But, Governor Hamilton conceived the idea
that the people demanded new law and
new registration. He led some Democrats
to believe that the elections were not pure,
and these and the whole Radical party
started clamor for both. To meet this
clamOF the Democrats not only promised 1t,
but designated some of the ablest and wlsest
men In the state to draft. bill to be sub
mltted to the Legislature. These gentle
men have met, matured and drafted bill,
in response to the request Of the Demo-
cratic party, and will have it ready to sub
NIT to the Legislature next week.
Other persons, calling themselves Demo-
Gratis, feeling sighted that their eminent
abilities were not recognized and they in
vited to assist in the work, or because they
had no faith in the honesty Of purpose OF
the committee to frame a just law, have
gotten up an Independent bill to be sub
mitted to the Legislature. 1t is a volumi-
nous document, and its parentage is attrib-
uted to General Bradley I. johnson, aided
by LAWYERS of Baltimore and elsewhere.
The ,Sum of Thursday gives a synopsis
of it. and after reading it the general YER
dict must have been that it is bill OF
denominations. If the SIM has given cor
rect idea OF its features, it is not onl y I'M
constitutional, but unjust and arbitrary in
its cXactions.
When the Republicans had power in
Maryland they ruled with an iron rod,
No Democratic representation was permit
ted among the registers, judges OF clerks OF
election. They even carried their idea that
Democrats had no rights or privileges they
should respect 81 far that few if any at
one time were placed upon juries OF allowed
to teach in the public schools. The Dem
ocratS fought hard for dcliverance. and
finally success crowned their efforts. They
soon began to forget the wrongs Of the
past. and they exhibited a very conciliatory
spirit towards those who lately oppressed
them. \ Democratic Legislature accorded
the Republicans one of the three Judges Of
election at every voting place. they gave
them representation on the .iuries, and III
the public schools politics has been entirely
cast out. In the county school boards, too,
the Republican party is represented, and IN
this county, at least we have Republican
magistrates, and Republican road super
visorS. 1t is proper to have consideration
for the minority. but We protest that the
matter is being overdone. The Republi-
can party is the same to-day as it was when
it ruled so high-handed Il few years ago.
Had they the same opportunities the sla-
very Democrats was then submitted to
would be repeated now The vindictivc
spirit still possesses them, and the lack OF
power alone restraints them
Much as has been done, however in Civ
ing the minority voice in the government,
it falls into insignifcance compared with
what the bill of Gen johnson and others
would give them. That bill proposes to
give the Republicans full power with the
Democrats in everything pertaining to reg
istration and elections. 1t proposes that
the Governor, with the concurrence of the
Senate, shall appoint two Democrats and
two Republicans in each county and legis-
lative district of Baltimore city, who shall
have power to appoint two registers of vo
ters and two Judges Of election at every
voting precinct in the state, the Democratic
and Republican parties to have equal re-
presentation among both the registers and
Judges Of election. 1t proposes, also, that
each party may appoint a challenger who
may supervise the registration and whose
duty it will be to challenge any person sus
pected of being an illegal voter. The
challengers, too, are to be permitted to sit
near the Judges of election, and at the re-
quest of either, the judges of election must
open so as to be read and examined any
ballot they choose to see, thus destroying
entirely the secresy of the ballot.
Apart from the concessions the bill
makes to the most vindictive and unrelent-
ing Of opponents, many of the provisions
of the bill are simply arbitrary. For in
stance. the supervisors for the counties are
to serve without compensation, and must
act when appointed, unless physically un-
able. under the penalty Of $3.50 fine. Reg
listers and judges OF election must also
serve when appointed by the supervisors,
under like penalty, and for their responsible
and exacting labors registers in the coun-
ties are to receive $50 per annum and in
Baltimore S25 per annum This feature
of the bill so accurately conforms to the
ideas expressed by the Governor two years
ago. it would seem that he has had hand
in its drafting. If compulsory service is
proper to be demanded of registers, judges
of election and supervisors, the principle
could readily be applied to constables, mag
istrates and all other appointive officers.
Where then, would be the liberties of the
people? Would it not rather be slavery
than liberty If, also, supervisors can be
compelled to serve without compensation,
co,,Id not the nIincinle he annlied to every