The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-03-22
Possibility that an Effort VIII BE
Made to Enforce the Four
teenth Amendment.
RESIGNATION OF MR.. ALLEN
TERRE HAUTE MAN TO RETIRE ON
ACCOUNT OF ILL HEALTH.
'Indiana Mineral Springs" Changed
by the Postofce Authorities to
ssKramer"-GeneralN News.
special to the Indianapolis Journal.

Special TO the Indianapolis Journal.
WASHINGTON, March 21.-The enact
ment of the new election law in Maryland.
which has for its nominal objects the re-
preston OF the illiterate vote OF the State
and the prevention OF bribery and for its
real objects the supremacy os the Demo
cratic party for the next ten or twenty
years and the immediate return OF Mr..
German to the United States Senate, has
aroused increased interest in the question
OF the enforcement Of the penalties Of the
fourteenth amendment in all cases where
the suffrage is denied to males twenty-one
years old and over save for crime whereof
the person shall have been duly convicted
Mississippi, Louisiana. South Carolina,
North Carolina and Maryland have all re-
Gently adopted restrictions on the suffrage
which, while they perhaps avoid the pro-
visions Of the fifteenth amendment. yet
are subject to those OF the fourteenth, as.
indeed. are the restrictive laws of certain
Northern States, especially Massachusetts.
The bill introduced in the late Congress
by Representative Crumpacker proposed to
curtail the representation of those States
in Congress as to presidential electors in
accordance with the terms of the four
teenth amendment, but it was frowned On
by certain potent leaders who thought it
bad politics. Some OF these have changed
their opinion in view OF the action of the
Maryland Legislature. 1t is feared that n
Democratic Legislature and Governor
should happen to be chosen in West Vir-
ginia similar law would be enacted there
Those in charge of the Republican con-
gressional committee know with what dif-
ficulty the House was carried for the Re
publicans at the last two elections. and
they look on the impending loss OF three or
four, and possibly six districts. I'm Mary
land with anything but complacency-
Chairman Babcock, Vice Chairman Lou
denslager and Secretary Overstreet. of the
committee, had several consultations about
the proposed Maryland restrictive law. but
could do nothing save advise the Republic
an members OF the Legislature OF that
State to oppose the contemplated legisla-
ton to the last This was done. but IL did
not prevent the Democrats from carrying
out their plan to restrict the suffrage. I'm
doubtedly, a renewed attempt Will be made
next winter 20 enforce the penalties or
the fourteenth amendment.
Chairman Babcock is the only member or
the Republican congressional committee in
Washington at this time. Speaking OF the
matter, this afternoon, he said the Repub-
licans could no longer view with compla-
cency this increasing disfranchisement or
a portion OF the vote in this country. West
Virginia would follow, at the first opportun-
ity, the example set by Louisiana and Mis-
sissippi taken up by North Carolina, South
Carolina and Maryland. and il would turn
out that the will OF the majority would
be frustrated in all the border States.
with the solid South at their backs" said
Mr.. Babcock. reinforced by Kentucky.
Maryland and possibly West Virginia. the
Democrats would go into every congress
sional election with an overwhelming adj
vantage. They would have an assured
portion of the whole number OF representa-
| tives practically elected. and would then
only have TO go into the doubtful districts.
where the vote was close. concentrate their
| energies and carry the House every time.
1t seems TO me that the effect OF the Mary
| land legislation will be to hasten the pro-
posed legislation in Congress looking to
limitation of the representation, as pro-
vided by the Constitutions of these States
| that disfranchise the negroes"
XXX
George NJ. Allen. OF Terre Haute chief
eral. resigned to-day to take effect April
l next. J. NJ Matson, superintendent Of
mails in Brooklyn postofice. New York.
| has been appointed as his successor Mr..
Matson was formerly a clerk I'm the Office
OF the second assistant postmaster general
and about two years ago was transferred
10 the Brooklyn Office. Mr.. Allen is in
poor health. and this is understood To be
| the reason OF his resigning. He has never
| been in good health since the attack last
year that came so near proving fatal lie
returned TO his desk while convalescent,
| the result being that he has never been
really we'll He was urged By his friends
| TO take long rest. but his sense OF duty
caused him to return 10 his desk az soon
| as he could walk TO the Office. Mr.. Allen
has been a very efficient officer and highly
| popular with every one coming In contact
with him officially or personally. His
| legion OF friends regret TO see him sever
his relations with the Postoffice Depart-
ment and deeply sympathize with him be-
cause OF the IN state OF his bodily health.
He has not yet formulated his plans for
| the future.
The assistant secretary OF war directs
| that Recruit Charles Edgett general serv-
| ice. now in the hands OF the civil authori-
ties. serving sentence OF imprisonment. viii
| be discharged without honor from the army
by the recruiting officer at indianapolis.
Xxx
Warner White. OF Crswfordsvilie. has
| heen transferred from chief OF the Eastern
| division 10 chief OF the Western division n
| the Pension Office. The latter Is the mors
important Of the two positions. and Mr.