Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser., 1889-11-22
The Votes of Non.

The Marlboro G0zette, in its last issue,
has the following TO say regarding the
part taken by nonresident colored voters
from Washington at the recent election in
Prince Georges county:
Flushed with the victory at the Presi-
dential election, and haviag the Federal
patronage and the money it afforded, as
aids, the campaign was one mainly of
money and promises of office. OF course
this had its effect, but even then with these
great odds against us, we might have won,
but for another reason. We have known
for long time that our registration books
are filled with the names of colored peo-
pie who have left the county for years, and
who come at each election and cast their
votes. This is the case also with white
voters, but not nearly to the same ex ent.
AT this election there were more colored
voters at the polls from Washington CITY,
than was ever before known. 1t is esti-
mated that over 500 came to this county
alone
| Now we have contcnded all along that
this practice was wrong, we now feel the
effect OF 1t, as this vote simply Carried the
election in favor of the Republican ticket.
AS the matter then stands our county is
ruled by citizens of the District of Colum-
bia. This is the fault of our registry law,
and the next Legislature should do some
thing to correct such abuse. IL our sys
tenn OF Government means anything it is,
that the people who are to he affected by
laws when made. shoul.i be those tn ST
lect the law makers. In word our sys-
0f r,,ta IL
IS simply An outrage upon the rights OF
the people, that such state Of things is
allowed to remain. The hest interests of
all the people, demand change. In the
first place these voters have no direct in
terest in the issues before the people. they
do not live here, and could not possibly y
be affected by any vicious legislation that
might he passed. Then it is prolific caus
for corruption, because all must be p.ia
something for coming to the el ction.-
this apples with force to the cnlor.,i ter,
as in each case it is known that his way
was paid, besides giving him a conside-
ration in money. We can then with SAFE
ty say that the affairs OF Prince Georges
county are dominated 10y negro vot. rs
living in Washington city. We must
have change, as no people can be ex-
pected to stand or toieratc 9 ch al out
rage upon popular suffrage"
On the sane suffice. the Enquirer has
the following:
! The organization of voters in Washing
ton that had been going on for mouths
prior 10 the election was 50 effectively ac-
complished, that $40 men from the Dis
trict Of Columbis, .ome of whom had net
been here for iour or ise yenrs even tn vote
came to the polls in this county last Tus
and virtu:lly determined who shall ex-
ercise authority and p"wer in rrinee
George. If our people can prosper un-
der condition oi things that is so con
trary tn the principles of this government
1t vi he more than Can reasonably i,e ex.
pected. Our right OF loca. self govern
ment has perished, when men who d. M,
live here, have no interests here, pay no
tsxes here, can by their alots over ide
the will Of intelligent. tax ying citizens,
OF whom. the Democratic party ia this
county 10 principally composed.