The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1901-02-22

anu counting the ballots cast
and not to the legal right to cast
ballot.
SO, too, the Constitution does
not direct that provision shall be
made TO convey voters to the
polls, nor to aid them in any
way whatever in the exercise of
their right to vote.
1t does not indeed prohibit the
furnishing OF aid, but it does not
oil the other hand, require it to
be rendered
1t does not expressly declare
that the voter must mark his bal
lot without assistance. or that
he mnSt be assisted in marking
1t, or that he may be assisted or
not assisted. 1t is absolutely
silent on the subject.
The Legislature may, therefore,
grant aid upon terms or withhold
II absolutely. 1t may leave the
voter TO lind his own way to the
polls without any assistance
whatever, or it may direct the
means Of transportation shall he
supplied TO every voter who needs
OF desires such facilities.
1t may provide ample or scanty
accommodations for voters at the
polls at its pleasure or omit all
provision for them whatever.
1t may direct that the ballot
box shall be of wood or glass or
iron or any other material.
1t may order voters to cast
their ballots inside of a room or
flom the outside through door
or window.
1t may furnish interpreters for
our naturalized voters who are
Ignorant of our language. if in
their judgment such Interpreters
ought to be supplied.
1t may in any way it sees fit
aid the lame, the blind, the sick.
the poor, the Old, the helpless,
the lIliterate, if in its discretion
such assistance is eXpedient.
1t may give to voters the aSsiS.
lance OF cards and OF instruction
sample ballots, explanatory di.
rections prepared by the Attor.
ney-General and freely distrib-
uted and extended advertise.
mentS i'll the newspapers of the
nominations and tickets to be
voted for.
But it IS not Jouad by the CON.
$tttution to do ony Of these things.
The Constitution recognizes
manhood suffrage, but so long
as the statute does not deny to
any duly registered d Il t,
whether white or colored. the alb
solute right to go the polls and
vote II he chooses, the omission
to provide by law means whereby
he may be aided to get to the
polls. or whereby he may be
aided to cast his vote when he
gets there, cannot affect the con-
Stitutionality Of the statute.
"REASONABLE ASSlSTANCE.'
| have seen it suggested that
the Legislature is bound TO pro-
vide what is termed "reaSonable
assistance" to illiterate voters.
But the Constitution makes no
distinction between literate and
illiterate voters. 1t does not pre-.
scribe any educational test. 1t
gives the right of suffrage to all
adult males, but there is not "a
line to be found in it anyw here
which ordains that if any adult
male is physically or mentally in.
capable of intelligently or freely
exercising this right, his miSfor-
tune. or intirmity, or disability
must he leSsened or removed by
statutory enactment. or the enact
ment will be unconstitutional and
void.
But in truth the suggestion
that "reaSonable ASSISTANCE in
marking the ballot must be given
or the law will be void will not
stand the slightest analysis.
What is unreasonable aSsiStauce!r
Where does it begin? How far
must it 90? To whom and by
whom must it be rendered! BY
what rule is it to measured? Is
the Judgment of the Legislature
as to what IS to be considered
reasonable assistance" to count
for nOthing9 And if so. who is to
Judge what amount of assistance
comes up to this vague and in,
definite requirement?
Are the courts to say that the
assistance which the Legislature
declares to be reasonable is not
reasonable?
Are cards of instruction no as
sistance9 Are sample ballots no
assistance? Are frequent official
publications in the newspapers of
the list Of nominations no assist
ance! Are official directions by
the Attorney.General no assist.
onaaD