New-York tribune., 1901-12-25
OPPOSITION TO GORMANi
DEMOCRATS FEAR DIssENsIoN, BUT
WILL TRY FOR 4 CONSTITU-
TIONAL CONVENTION.

legislature IN their scheme to count out and un-
seat ten twelve Republican members whose cleo
lions have been contested by the Democratic candi
dates In fact several Of the Democratic members
have intimated to German that they will not go
into caucus for any such purpose They ready
,, vote for German for United States Senator and
sor the reelection of Murray Vandiver for State
Treasurer they threaten 20 kick against any
radical partisan legislation It is now believed that
German and his clique viii be content with unseat-
ing only three four Republicans, TO give
them stronger Democratic majority.
According to the membership Of the House as
determined by the returns. there ffty-one
Democrats and forty-four Republicans In order
10 provide for the submission Of constitutional
amendment il will be necessary for the Democrats
10 have ffty-seven votes. which is threefifths Of
therefore. to unseat six Republicans give the
Democrats the majority they desire. They have IN
stituted contests for the seats Of twelve Repub--
ucans. They hardly expect to win them all.
They would like. however. win aIl-certainly ten
in order to be ready for an emergency that may
arise in the event that three members kick
over the traces" They have not forgotten that
faur Derocrats-Garner. of St Mary's; Pattison.
of Dorchester: Lakn and Buckley of Frederick
refused at the extra session to vote for the Election
law.
n the Senate the Democrats have the necessary
tEo-thirds majority to take steps to amend the
constitution. but there is a likelihood that Mr.
Bryan. of this city. may not be docile the
leaders would like him to be. There is always
likelihood that another member may assert his in
dependence. Hence the contests in the Senate 10
provide for emergency. Messrs. Crothers, of
Cecil, and Robertson. of this city, both Of whom
were defeated the face OF the returns. are for
tails reason among the contestants.
II Just what way the Democrats will try TO tin
ker the constitution has not fully developed
though It is understood that they have under
consideration the adoption OF a grandfather's
clause" which has been put into effect in several
and yVhi is
tested before the United States Supreme Court
They want 10 completely bar the negroes from the
ballot
MAY CALL CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION.
4 is also said that the State leaders have under
consideration the call Of a new constitutional con-
Tention They reported as adhering TO the
opnion that the task of amending the constitu-
-ior in q manner desired by them is Of such mag
nttude that II cannot be accomplished by separate
amendments, to be voted on separately by the
people. \ new convention would be a far more
suitable instrument with which to carry out their
plans
r &c nofnted out that such a convention. under
tbe constitution can be provided for by an act Of
the legislature. TO be passed by a majority ana
not by a two-hfths vote OF the two houses Hence
the absence OF the necessity OF unseating Repuoi-
cans except to provide for the emergency that
NAV arise because OF the recalcitrant members
The legislature could provide for the election OF
delegates to the proposed constitutional conVen-
sinn ANY work ot that convention, however,
would have to be submitted TO the people at a gen
eral election. In view OF the returns at the late
election It is obvious that the Democrats would
be treading upon slippery ground in provfoins loF
: new constitution The Republicans might elect a
majority OF the delegates to the convention ana
then the present legislative apporhonment OF the
state might be upset, by which the Republicans
would gain a decided advantage. The present con-
sttution Of the State was formed ana adopted oy
The convention which assembled at Annapolis on
May 6 1867.
ia new convention is determined upon the dele
yates viii be elected Immediately after the ad-
3ournment Of the legislature next spring. the con-
Tention held as possible and Its work com
pIeted in order to be voted upon at the election
next year, thus giving the Democrats the expected
advantage at the State election two years hence
The Republicans do not expect to win their con-
test Of the reelection Of State Controller Herring
nor in fact. any Of their contests for members OF
the legislature They will be satisfied II the Demo
Gratis do not count out Senator PutZel OF Bald-
would be their floor leaders in their respective
The Republicans DO not want constitutional
coyenton not only because 5heE Is no 5t neea 59e
Of the great expense which such eonven5iQR eG N
entirely partisan-to disfranchise the negro vote.
Il however. the Democrats go to the extreme or
cans viii be fully prepared meet the issue. and
f the signs OF the times are not msleaog me
ory IN that h9ay TO the GFdnaIy Hvs1tio
urged at this time BY Democrats seems suicidal
policy - -, - - 1870,
chance 70 elect majority Of the delegates to that
soaye19n unless me @ Ee64h @ aW y SnGuiq S a ts as
November election and once in control OF tne con
which have long stood IN their way.
MIGHT RESULT IN REPUBLICAN GAIN
Baltimore City in these days seems to be Re-
publican Fifteen years ago the State outside the
rity was Republican The basis of apportionment
IN the General Assembly, II changed 10 one OF
population, would result In giving this city more
delegates. Then. too, it would be possible TO
ehange the entire judiciary system Of the State,
with the possibility OF electing set Of Judges
On the bench Of the Court OF Appeals well as
On al the circuit benches. All of the court clerks
might be legislated OF Office The entire public
school system CT the State might be upset.
The Republicans would have much gain by
new constitution, IL in the majority, and, once in
Be framed that there would not be oppor-
In the further radical changes in the ballot pro-
posed Maryland Democrats seem determined to
he party. and to be following in the footsteps
5 Ts MssssP a % bc bsys creg4e6 Segta aa1
szclusive suffrage class. Virginia is fast drifting
In fact Maryisnd's inclination 10 follow Southern
States, as displayed by her suffrage laws recalls
secession movement when Massachusetts troops
were stoned and hoeted as they passed through
demmatory speeches and cheers for the South;
when public sentiment demanded that this State
Join the Confederacy and when only the deter
mined stand of Governor Hicks backed up by
becoming the battle ground Of the armies of the
North and of the South, which saved the national
without doubt, saved the Union from division, and
perhaps from anarchy and destruction
mere stringent laws to bring about the disfran-
Seent oS the aero s the DeTn0cTse t e.; party Stb IN
srn Democratic party Hence these inquiries: