Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-10-03
Most states Of the Union are anxious to keel

Most states Of the Union are anxious to keep
on their list Of legal residents as great a num-
Der of names as can honestly be retained, and
many states shape their legislation SO as TO
Offer inducements which will fairly swell this
list Tho state derives its advantage from this
increase in its better showing in the census, IN
the larger congressional representation which
comes with increased population, and in the
taxes on personal property which are collected
by the place Of domicile. But Maryland under
her new registration law has taken q long step
In precisely the opposite direction She de-
hbersteiy cuts oil portion OF her population.
tax payers and voters. She will have no legal
residents, unless they keep within the limits OF
the state every night Of the year, or unless
they submit to various annoying requirements
in case Of temporary departure, and they mast
be living within the state six months before
the November election When one has once
acquired legal residence in other states of the
Union he does not lose it unless he moves into
another state with the expressed in
tention Of making the latter his
home, or under circumstances which
clearly indicate that intention. He may be alb
sent from his state for long periods as a
soldier or q sailor or traveller or visitor to
other localities, or as the representative OF
the republic in foreign countries or as the
representative Of his state at the national capt.
tai, or as an employe of the federal govern
ment at the capital where no new voting resi-
depce can be acquired, and he is still a citizen,
legal resident, taxpayer and voter in his state.
But Maryland citizen, no matter who he is,
no matter what the reason for his temporary
departure, no matter how short his proposed
absence, if he makes his ''abode" and "habita-
ton" for q single night outside Of the state is
in danger Of losing his legal residence, and
unless he is an actual resident six months be-
fore the November election he does lose it.
Maryland enacted in April 1890, that whoever
prior to that time had removed from his actual
abode in the state and taken an abode out OF
the state should be conclusively presumed to
have intended to abandon his legal residence
unless within thirty days after the passage OF
the act he made affidavit, in person before the
clerk Of the circuit court that he did not so in
tend: and unless be also returned and took up
his abode in the state six months before the
Tuesday after the first Monday in November
be should be conclusively presumed to have
lost his legal residence. BY this act
Maryland cut of from her sons her
soldiers and sailors outside of the state,
her travellers, her visitors to neighboring
localities, her appointments in the foreign SER
vice Of the federal government, her Senators
and Representatives and her appoint
ments in the government service re-
siding at Washington. No exceptions what
ever to the sweeping rule are sug-
sestsd. A law is passed in April which re-
quires the Marylander temporarily in London,
it may be. to return within 80 days from the
passage Of the act and make affidavit that he
intends to return, and then take up his actual
abode In the state during the first week in
Mayor cease to be Marylander. 1t is in
timated tina. the law is a democratic scheme to
disfranchise republican voters of Maryland who
reside in the District. II SO, it is double
edged weapon. cutting both parties, and Sc
riousIy wounding the state. The democrats
would regret exceedingly perhaps if they
should find that they had elected from legal
residence in Maryland their Senators and Con-
gressmen. Senator German, for instance, prior
to the passage Of the act had taken up his
abode in his house in the city of Washington.
He did not make the required affidavit within
thirty days. He did not abandon his Washing
ton abode and take up his actual abode in
Maryland six months before the first Tuesday
in November. He has therefore lost his legal
residence in Maryland and the state is repre-
sented in the Senate by one who is not Mary
lander. Will it be necessary for the demo-
cratic legislature to say apologetically to an
exiled and DISTINGUISHED Senator: II have
shot my arrow DER the house and hurt my
brother?' Was there ever a more absurd, IN
progressive, unjust and short-sighted law than
this. to say nothing Of its doubtful constitu-
tionality?