Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser., 1889-11-15
Colonization in Southern Maryland

1t is notable fact in connection
with the election returns of this fall
from the four Southern Maryland
counties, that, while st. Mary's and
Calvert hold their own comparatively
we'll for the Democrats, large Republi-
can gains are apparent in Prince
Georges and Charles. This is due,
beyond a doubt, in large measure, to
the importation into these counties Of
colored voters from Washington. their
contiguous territory affording more
convenient facilities for the purpose,
and their proximity causing larger
percentage of their quondam colored
residents to be resident in Washing
ton, than is the case with the other two
counties mentioned.
Our Democratic friends in Prince
Georges seem now to be thoroughly
aroused to the great and growing i'm
portance of this question Of the resi-
dents of Washington retaining their
right to vote in that county. The
Marlboro Gazette charges that the
votes Of more than 500 residents Of
Washington were taken at the recent
election in that county. thereby de-
feating their ticket. The Republican
managers in Prince Georges, as we'll
as in Charles, seem to be just awaken
ing, also, to the Importance of this
vexed question, as it affects their
political interests for in the last two
elections they have brought out an in.
creased number of these people.
This is said to have been especially
noticeable in Prince Georges at the
recent election, where the number OF
nom resident voters is said to have ma
terially and perceptibly increased
In this county. while there were not .
great many additional non-residents
put on the registration lists, as was the
case last fall, still the impression pre-
walls among observing Democrats that
such as we're on the lists were brought
out to the election more fully and
systematically this fall than last
This is given as the explanation, in
part. of the increased majority against
the local Democratic ticket at the re-
cent election.
As heretofore stated by the TINES
there is no doubt that there is still
much material among the colorsd res.
idents of Washington from which still
larger accessions to the voting strength
of the Republicans in these two coun-
ties can be, from time to time. made,
BY good management on the part of
their leaders For the last twenty
Eve years the colored people Of these
counties have been gradually, out
steadily, drifting into Washington !;
and the number of colored men over
81 years Of age now living in Wash
ington, who are native, or have been
at some time residents Of this county,
run high mp into the hundreds, if they
do not reach . thousand. Under
Judge Stones decision in young SIa-
ter's case last fall. man who removed
to Washington with his parents in
childhood, may, upon attaining bis
majority, return to the county and
vote, upon making the ordinary oath
of an ultimate intention to return to
the county and live. In view of these
facts as they apply to the Law as at
present expounded BY our Chief JUS
tice, the great importance of this ques.
ton and the growing necessity for a
settled and ,atisfactory Interpretation
of the law of the question become
manifest.
It is questionable if Judge Stone
foresaw the extent to which the prin-
clple of admitting residents to the
rights of citizenship here. upon bare
oath Of an intention, would 60 in its
practical application, when he first
laid it down some years ago; although
the TINES then foreshadowed the great
dangers to local citizenship involved
therein.
The TINES has never said that Judge
Stone did not expound the law as he
honestly understood it, and certainly
no one can say that he has not applied
the principles thus laid down impair
TALLY and fairly to both political par
ties. But Judge Stone himself has on
more than one occasion expressed q
regret that the Legislature had not
more clearly defined the question, and
We feel sure that be, in common with
all good citizens, will admit that the
present conflict of judicial opinion in
our circuit upon so important ques.
ton, ought to be corrected and reme-
died at the earliest possible opportu-
nifty.
1t 10 rather q difficult matter to de-
fine this question of domicile in all its
bearings bya statute, especially as the
law makers at Annapolis will general.
ly tell You that the law is already am.
pie, if corrected construed. The bet.
ter plan would probably be to make .
test case and take it mp to the Court