Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-03-06
NEED ANOTHER VOTE
Democrats Tied With Republicans in
Maryland Senate.
THEY ORGANIZE JUST THE SAME
Their Action Regarded by the
Opposition as Illegal.
EXTRA SESSION BEGINS
EXTRA SESSION BEGINS
Special Dispatch to The Evening Star.

Special Dispatch to The Evening Star.
ANNAPOLIS. Md, March 6.-The gem
eral assembly of Maryland met here today
In special session in accordance with the
proclamation of Governor Smith to change
the election laws so as practically to dis
franchise a large proportion of the colored
voters. The organization was not accom-
plished without trouble in the senate. The
democrats have only a bare majority of
one, and as that one was absent, in the
person of Senator Moore of Worcester
county. they had only thirteen votes, or
one less than a quorum.
The republican sena tors in body refused
to be present, but the thirteen democrats
proceeded 10 organize by the reelection of
President Hubner and all of the old Off
GERS. The roll not called, as that
would have shown the absence OF a quorum
according to the state constitution, and the
thirteen democratic senator's proceeded
further and adopted a set of new rules,
which are radically different In many re-
spects from the old rules and all the prece-
dents of over a hundred years.
After they had acted above they tried
10 persuade the republicans to return; but
the latter refused to do so, and the thirteen
senators sat and looked at each other with
out attempting to do anything further until
1::'O pm, when they adjourned to II IN.
Thursday.
German Directing Affairs.
Ex-senator German was present in one
of the adjoining rooms in the state house
and frequent messages passed from him to
his lieutenants on the floors of the two
houses. The ex-senator is in the saddle
here and is running things with a high
hand, as his friends named all the subor.i-
nate employees of the two houses Many Of
the best lawyers here say the whole pro-
ceeding in the senate Is illegal and void ard
will be so declared by the courts.
The house of delegates was organized in
peace and Ex-Mayor F. C. Latrobe was duiy
chosen speaker to succeed Mr. Wilkinson
who resigned No business of importa nee
was transacted except to notify the COVER
nor OF the organization. Later the house
adjourned TO meet tomorrow at II a m he
republican members still holding out The
WhoIe situation is chaotic. The impression
preEaAs that the democrats, under the lead
eFShip OF Senator German. have made a
pad break in acting in clear violation of the
constitution, and the republicans are yreat-
ly pleased.
By Associated Press
Uneasy Over AppIegarth
ANNAPOLIS, March 6-The democratic
majority IN the general assembly and the lead
ers or the party, including former United
states Senator German, who is directing the
movements of the majority, were quite un-
~' 1919 -IA4iles ONtI luS nOQ-dpDHdrance
or Senator Applegarth Of Dorchester, who
did not attend the caucus last night ana
VINO had not arrived on the early train this
morning. 1t has been known all along that
Senator Applegarth had consented with re-
iuctance to vote for the proposed changes
In the ballot laws, because there are a great
many White people IN his county who can
neither read nor write. and who habituaIIy
vote the democratic ticket. Another rea-
son for uneasiness was the opposition to the
bill manifested by several of the members
in the House caucus held last night and the
d.sinchnation upon the part of others to
commit themselves in favor OF the bill un-
I'll its provisions had been carefully read
and considered by them. For this rea son
one member of the House withdrew from
the caucus, while others showed marked op-
position to the program mapped out by the
leaders.
only measures to be considered during the
special session Will be the new ballot law
the act to enable Baltimore city TO borrow
sl2OOO,Oo with which to build a sewerage
system and the bill to provide for census
OF the state to be made by state enunerat-
ors for the purpose of fixing the proper rep
Tesentation in the general assembly. 1t has
also been determined to enforce the cloture
rule in the senate in order to prevent FILL
clustering. 1t IS therefore probable that the
special session which began at noon today
Of the democrats, II accomplished at all
will be carried out well within the thirty
days limit fixed by the constitution.
The Disfranchisement Bill.
The bill which the majority propose to
pass for the purpose of amending the ballot
laws provides that no party emblems shall
be printed on the ballots; that no fac simile
of the ballot shall be furnished to any one
prior to the day Of election; that the names
of all the candidates shall be printed on the
ballots in such order as the election super
Eisors of each county shall prescribe with
the designation after the name of each can
didate showing what party he represents;
all the ballots and other election machinery
shall remain in the possession of the super
VlSorS OF election until election day when
they shall be delivered to the officers of
election; a cross-mark must be made after
the name of each candidate to be voted for
instead of at the right of the party emblem
as at present; no assistance shall be given
to any voter except such as are blind or
physically unable to mark their own bal
lots; no ballot shall be counted which has
upon II any mark other than the cross
marks opposite the names of candidates,
prescribed by law.
The radical charges from the nresent
system OF voting lie in the provisions abol-
ishinG party emblems requiring cross marks
10 De made opposite the names OF each can
uldate and denying to voters the assistance
or ballot clerks. 1t is believed that these
provisions will make it practically imnos-
sibie for an illiterate voter to properly cast
his ballot. and If it becomes a law II viii
disfranchise probably 10000 voters in the
state, most of whom are negroes
The republican senators made the first
move in the game of blocking the demo-
Gratis by refusing to enter the senate cham
Der. thus preventing the organization of
that body. This was made possible by the
non-arrival of Senator John p. Moore dem
ocrat, who is Governor Smiths business
partner. He is expected to reach here at Q
O'Clock this afternoon.