The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1897-07-02
published by Authority of Maryland Demo
cratic Editors Assoclation.)

published by Authority of Maryland Demo
cratic Editors Assoclation.)
The first article issued by the Associa-
ton told how, by partisan trick, the
oath OF secrecy was omitted in the cleo
ton and registration law passed by the
Republican Legislature in ISe s, and the
illiterate colored voters thus placed un-
der absolute espionage and control of
Republican election officials. The Sec
ond article presented a table showing
the colored and white Republican vote
by counties and in Baltimore. and
pointed out the danger threatening from
Republican rule, because the white Re-
publicans in number of counties were
far from being representative citizens,
yet they absolutely controlled the color
ed vote and had an unfair advantage in
controlling legislation. 1t was0 shown
that these white Republicans, and I'm
representative citizens, in the counties of
Maryland where the colored population
is large, were represented in the Legis-
lature upon per capita basis OF 1851,
while an equal distribution of the I17
members OF the General Assembly
among the $4,000 registered white vot-
ers fixes the per capita representation at
1890
In this article it is proposed to look
into the necessity for any change at all
in the election and registration laws and
to give the taxpayers of the State some
idea of the cost of this partisan and I'm
fair law OF 1896, heralded and applauded
as the consummation OF reform that was
to secure absolute purity in registration
and voting.
There never was any necessity for the
Australian system Of voting in the coun-
ties OF Maryland, however much it was
needed in Baltimore. But the demand
for it there led Democratic Legislature
to pass fair law, in which many coun-
ties OF the State were excepted from its
operation. The next Legislature ex-
tended it to the whole State, because it
was feared that the lack of uniformity in
voting might furnish excuse, in the
event OF the National House OF Repre-
sentatives being close, to unseat Demo-
cratic Representatives from this State.
It was remembered how Gar Reed ex-
PEELED Democrats from the SYST Con-
gress upon very himsy excuses, and it
was regarded best not to take any risks
and make the law applicable to the
whole State.
That law threw around the voter
every proper safeguard to insure the
casting of a free and untrammeled ballot.
Elections under it were as fair and hon
est as it is possible to make them by
legislative enactment, yet the Reform
(O element of Baltimore made the
charge that the law did not embody all
the essential features OF the genuine Aus
tralian system, and this charge was taken
up by the independent press and spoils-
men and shouters OF the Republican
party. Thus a sentiment was created
that a better ballot law must be passed,
and the Reformers OF Baltimore entrust-
ed its preparation to a committee OF
which the unsavory John c. Rose was
member. Rules and regulations for reg
istration as we'll as election were COM
bined in it, and the whole made long
and scarcely ineligible law. 1t wa
purposely made so in order to cover up
the fact that the oath OF secrecy waa
omitted and the iliterate colored voters
placed under the espionage and control
Of Republican election officials
Not only did the law provide for reg
istration and election, but provided tor
an entirely new registration, wholly
unnecessary and expensive matter.
The registration act in force prior to
the time when the State began expert
menting in reforms provided for fair
registration of voters. Under it there
was a full registration, and provision
was made for annually revising the
books, opportunity being given new vot-
ers to have their names entered and OPP
portunity to have the names OF those
who had died or moved away stricken
off. No new registration in the coun-
ties was necessary, but demand for 1t
in Baltimore in 1882 resulted in the pas
sage OF new law requiring it. 1t was
made to apply to the whole State, to
avoid any doubts as to the construction
OF the constitutional provision Tor uni
iormity. The Democrats OF the counties
at first opposed new registration, be-
cause there was objection upon the part
OF many old Democratic voters to any
registration, and it was feared that some
would decline 10 reyregister. To satisfy
the demand in Baltimore, and to avoid
doubts as to constitutionality ii new
-~~is.ration were provided tor Baltimore