The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1901-01-12

Smith should call the Oetct a. 1ASoS'.-s =
gether in extra session.
Firgs. to have correct enumeration OF the
population OF the state, so that there may be
a fair and equitable apportionment OF mem
bers of the House of Delegates.
Second, to provide an educational quallii-
Third, to lay out the Congressional districts
under the new apportionment of Representa-
tives by Congress.
In an article on December 8 the ADVOCATE
demonstrated by facts and figures that the
Federal census was inaccurate, and that ceun-
ties with small white populations and large
Negro populations would have undue repre-
sentation in the House of Delegates, and sug'
gested to the Governor that the matter OF
state enumeration of the inhabitants was one
for serious consideration. 1t was pointed out
that counties with neither large towns nor
manufacturing interests had been credited
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with large increases Of population, while other
counties. with thrifty populations, numerous
towns and Villages and industrial enterprises,
had either refrigerated or increased but little
in population. 1t was shown that Anne
Arundel county, for instance, with a regis
tered vote 750 less than Carroll, was credited
with population of nearly 5000 more, ana
with only an excess of IS more inhabitants
than sufficient 10 give it an additional repre-
sentative in the House of Delegates. The
ADVOCATE also noted the fact that all OF the
counties that would be entitled to an addition
al member of the House of Delegates under
the Federal census were Republican, aud OF
these four are in the Fifth Congressional dis
trict.
MARYLAND has been spending large sums of
money annually for public education for the
past thirty five years. There is no obligation
upon the State to maintain system of public
education, but as government is good or bad
as the people are intelligent or Ignorant It
has been deemed good policy to maintain
schools. For fhe vast expenditure OF money
for public education the state has right to
expect proper return. There is lIltie ex-
cuse now for illiteracy and the state should
either have compulsory educational law or
an educational qualification for voters It's
useless TO spend money for public education,
if the schools are not awaited of. 1t law
compelling attendance at school OF children
is not deemed advisable, certainly no com
plant can be made if law be passed disfran-
chising all persons who cannot read and
write. for there is no excuse for any person j
in the state being wholly ignorant.
And the venal and purchasable vote is
largely the ignorant vote. The use of money
in elections is crying evil in this state as well
as in others, and the battleis generally, ifnot
always, to the strongest purse. The require
ment Of an educational qualification for voters
would not only be an incentive to rising
generations to avail themselves Of the oppor-
tunity for free education, but would secure an
intelligent electorate and abate largely the
corrupt use of money at elections.
Parts of Maryland, notably in Southern
Maryland, are retarded in growth and pro-
gress by the presence of large illiterate vote.
White people from other sections will not
settle there, and many white people are leav-
ing: and this is the fact in some counties nc
credited under the recent Federal census with
large increases in population.
Under an superintendent bill which this
week passed the House of Representatives, and
which will in all probability be passed by the
Senate. Maryland will still have six Repre-
sentatives in Congress- 1t may be well to es-
tablish the districts as they are, but be that as
it may, it you'd be better for Democratic
General Assembly to establish them than to
trust the matter to future Legislature that
NAV be dominated by Sidney Mudd and other
interruptions politicians.
As TO the passing of a law to require an ed
ucational test for voters the Republicans have
already determined to charge the Democrats
with that purpose in the next campaign, and
endeavor to enlist the sympathy and votes OF
all illiterates 1t will matter not whether the
charge be true or false, the iliterates will take
no chances and vote against US. 1t would be
no relief should Gov. Smith publicly decline
to call an extra session of the Legislature
the charge would be just as industrionsly cir
cuated.
Mayor Hayes of Baltimore, has vigorously
spoken against an educational qualification
for voters, and one Senator, at least, is re-
ported as not disposed to support measure
imposing it. This, however, should be no
barrier to the duty imposed upon Gov. Smith.
A state enumeration of inhabitants, so as to
have a fair and just representation in the
House of Delegates, should be made. An
ect imposing an educational qualification for
voters should be passed, and the Congress
sional districts should be arranged bya Demo
cratic General Assembly Let the Governor
call an extra session, and the members who
oppose these measures can reckon with their
constituencies.
1t is noted above that bribery in elections
is crying evil in this state well as in all
others, and that the purchasable vote is large
" the illiterate VOTE So necessary is the use
of money at elections, according to large
public sentiment in all parties, that candi-
dates are sought who are capable of contribu
ting handsomely to campaign funds. If they
are capable, so much the better; but candi
dates with large bank accounts must be had.
Men of character and capacity are overlooked,
unless they have money to spend in cam
.o,,b1;o 1oo;tianc ORC more. and