The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1901-10-26

without regard TO party. tha1 IN" DEM
ocratic party won under il. and elected
the present Democratic Governor of the
State Under that admirable law,
every man. however poor, or unlcttered
could easily express his choice of rulers
ut the polls. 1t was free. open. Dem
ocratic and American method of vot-
ing. No trickery disgraccd the form of
the ballot, no resort was had to decep-
ton or deceit in its framing.
Qucs.-But why was so excellent law
repealed by the Democratic managers?
Ans.-For two objects, one to secure IL
Democratic Legislature. and then re-
turn Mr.. German to the United States
Senate, and to make the State ctcrnally
and forever Democratic, by still further
strengthening the Democratic timber,
Of which the State Election Law is
framed
Ques.-But didn't the Democratic plat
form. on which Governor Smith was
elected, declare eve distinctly pledge
ourselves to render equal and exact
justice to all without regard to race,
and guarantee to the colorcd people OF
the State, protection in all their
rights"
Ans.-It did so declare, and in this good
year of grace, makes Il mockery of its
platform declarations in 1899.
Ques.--But what preteXt did the Demo-
cratic managers use in justifying the
call of an extra session to pass Il par
sense of justice of every reflective citi
zen of the State!
| Ans.-The fimSy prcteNt, that under the
| law of 1896. bribery was too easy of
accomplishment.
| Ques.-Did Governor Smith publicly Of
fer this pretcXt as Il reason for 4
Special Session of the legislature AMI
n justification of this infamous cleo
tion law:
| AnS.-IIc did, and that, after he. while
rs Il Senator from Worcester county.
had worked and voted at Annapolis
against the "Corrupt Practices Act,
which the Republicans offered AMI
favored. and did every thing to pass
| Qucs.-Was there found in the Icgislu-
turc, no Democrat honest and fair
| enough to vote against this outrage
upon the political rights of the people:
Ans.-Ics. Il very few, who would not
RESPOND to the Party Lash, and took
| their conscicnccS with them to Anna-
| polls. Mr. $. J. Keys, of Elkton. 20
his credit be it said. was one of them.
QucS.-Ilow did Senator CrothcrS. of
Cecil, vote on that bill:
Ans.-ln Elkton. before he went to An
| napolis. he profeSScd to be opposed To
| it. But when the crack of the Party
| Whip rrSoundcd on Capitol Hill. he
came down to his partizan work, and
| tuggcd ut the traces of the party team.
rs Justify as any leader who wore the
| party collar.
| Qucs.-WaS the passage of that law,
sustained by the sentiment of the pco-
pie of Maryland, or did the people of
Cecil county favor it:
AnS.-No. The Party Managers did not
dare consult the people about it. Thry
took snap Judgment of the people be-
cause they had II mragrr majority %!
| one in the Senate of Maryland. and Il
| somewhat larger majority in the House
| of Delegates.
| Qucs.-IIad the question of such Il re-
Strictvr Ballot Law been submitted to
tn" people in the campaign preceding
the election of the Legislature that
passed it in special session:
AnS-lt had not. That Legislature had
been elected upon other issues. The
question of Il special session was not
dreamed of. 1t was Il subsequent act.
Il desperate measure rcsorted to. to
save the Democratic party III Mary
|. land. by reducing the electorate in
the State. and solidifying the Demo-
cratic party into an enduring Office
holders trust.
CUES. not the Constitution of tn.
State provide the method of securing
amendments to ii?
AmS.-lt does. 1t provides chat all
amendments to the Constitution shall
he submitted to the people for ratii-
cation or rejection.
QurS.-Thcn, the managers. again re-
sorted to political trickcry. in using II
parizan Legislature to pass an act that
contravcncs, and utilities the organic
law of the StateE
-\nS.-Thcy did. They have passed an
unjust law, one obnoxious to the spirit
of the people of Maryland. because
they had the political power to do so.
Such acts tend to anarchy. and are
dcspotic in character.
QucS.-But what amount of money,
wrung from the pockets of our people.
has this infamous Election Law. and
thp useless puumprrti ion