Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1897-07-08
A TABLE SHOWING COST OF REGIsTRA-
lion AND ELEcTIoS gSDER THE OLD
AND UNDER THE NEW LAW.
Published by Authority or Maryland Demo-
cratic Editors Assocgaiion.D

In this article it is proposed to look
into the necessity for any change at all
in the election and registration laws and
20 give the taxpayers Of the State some
idea OF the cost OF this partisan and un-
fair law OF 1896, heraIded 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 h was
needed in Baltimore. But the demand
Ter II there led a 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 il
was feared that the lack of uniformity in
voting might furnish excuse, in the
event 81 the National House OF Repre-
sentAtives being close, to unseat Demo
cratic Representatives from this State.
1t was remembered how Gar Reed ex-
PEELED Democrats from the SYST Con-
gress upon very fimsy 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 free and untrarnmeled ballot.
Elections under il were as fair and hon
est as il is possible to make them by
legislative enactment. yet the Reform
% element OF Baltimore made the
charge that the law did not cmbody all
the essential features of the genuine Aus
tralian system, and this charge was taken
up by the independent press and spofis-
men and shouters OF the Republican
party. Thus a sentiment was created
that better ballot law must be passed,
and the Reiormcrs OF Baltimore entrust-
cd its preparation to 4 committee OF
which the unsavory John c. Rose was q
member. Rules and regulations for reg
istratiou rs well as election were COM
bined in it. and the whole made long
and scarcely ineligible law. 1t was
purposely made so in order to cover up
the TACT that the oath OF secrecy was
omitted and the iilitcrate coiorcd voters
placed Under the espionage and control
OF Republican election officials.
No, only Gid the law provide for reg
istra,ion and election. but provided for
an entirely new registration. wholly
unnecessary and expensive matter.
The registration act i'll force prior to
the airns when the State began expert
iuer;ins in reforms" provided for fair
registration OF voters. Under it there
Was iull registration. and provision
was made for anrua;ly revising the
hooks opportunity being given new vot-
crs !: . have their names entered and OPP
r-i....jiy &c have tae namcs OF those
v:.1 rad died or moved away stricken
n 80 new registration in the coun-
i.es was necessary. but demand for it
"a E.,Iimcre in 1881 resulted IN the pas
slsc az new law requiring it. |; was
,~;dc to apply TO the whole State. to
avoid any doubts as to the construction
OF ;he constitutional provision for uni
lornisy. The Democrats OF the counties
al first opposed new registration, be-
cause there was objection upon tile part
Of many old Democratic votes 10 any
registration, and it was feared that some
would decline to re-register To satisfy
iac demand in Baltimore, and to avoid
tc-5;s rs to cons.ituiionalny Il new
registration were provided tor Baltimore
cry, the Democratic members OF the
ls. islatrre from the counties conseuted
- new registration Tor the whole State.
Che result showed that the fears of the
county members OF the Legislature were
well foaHl,d 4, for many white Democrats
failed To register. while the Republicans.
and particularly the colored ones, made
haste. to have their names put upon NE
new books. This falling off in the Dem
ocratic vote, in consequence, resulted in
the loss of Congressman in the fifth
district, and in the election of Repuiai-
san judges in place OF Democrats in the
fifth. sixth and seventh judicial circuits.
Gradually, however. preiudices against
re-registering were laid aside and tn e
Democratic vote was pretty well regis
tered. This was the situation in 1896,
when Republican Legislature decreed
a new registration, well remembering
their success following that of 1852. The
questions that registrars were authorized
- ask, and the oaths and the prelir.ina- :
s.ss ass ssei.su d.s.s sfs -
sasi Aarass solers raiAsl tao. s,..s. +.
eilities for free and honest registration.