Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-03-22
The Suffrage and Representation.

It is not surprising &c learn that Mr..
Germans caper in Maryland has attracted
the attention of the republican leaders
throughout the country. and that as the
result of 1t there will probably be an agi-
tation next winter of the whole question
of national congressional representation.
The republicans ne face to face now
with a distinct prop 'sition For some
years this matter of the colored vote In the
south has been presented In an aspect
which seemed to silence protest against its
exclusion from the polls. 1t was a nu-
merous vote. In some states it had been
wrongly led. and consequently became a
factor in bad local government. This was
true in South Carolina. Louisiana and Mis-
slssippi. and so when first force was used
To correct the evil. and then tricky con-
stitutional provisions were substituted for
force, there was acquiescence in the per-
fcrmances. The usufruct went wholly to
the democrats. but the republicans, in the
light of the record. submitted.
But this Maryland transaction, while
smooth and fair upon its face, is yet below
the surface crooked aui thoroughly parti-
san Its whole object is to produce DEM
ccratic majority where by the aid of the
cream of the vote of that party a discred-
tied democratic leadership has been over
thrown. 1t is scheme to rehabilitate men
who are in private Life by the repeat ed
judgment of a large majority of their fell
low citizens. The negro vote of Maryland
has offended nobody but the democratic
ringsters of Baltimore. and has never con-
tributed a thing toward any unworthy end
either in the state or nation Mr.. German
eliminates it therefore tor no other reason
but the serving of party ends, and his ex
ample is to be copied by his party friends
In other states where the negro has not
rs yet been formally barred from the polls.
This then is the situation. The solid
south. after having been broken by a great
questionable national Credits to be re-
stored to its former power as a political
quantity by a palpa5le violation of the
Constitution of the United States.
If there is no remedy for such state
of case. or If the remedy supposed to exist
I'm the Constitution cannot be applied, then
there is no difficulty I'm forecasting the
early results upon the politics and public
policies of the country. The south made
solid again by this species of Juggling with
the suffrage, will only have to negotiate
terms with two or three northern states as
formerly, to control both the National
House of Representatives and the electo-
raj college. And then we shall have either
free silver and free trade, or another ap-
paliingly expensive clash between two fac
tiGns of an ill-assorted combination which
has scored a national victory by political
legerdemain.
1t is related of Mr.. Blaine that one even
ing in the summer of 1884 a democratic
friend proposed to the republican candidate
for the. presidency that they decide the
presidential contest at billiards. Mr.. Blaine
smiled and assented, and taking his cue
pushed back on his friends string counters
TO the number of the electoral votes in the
south. 'Oh. l don't ask any odds" pro-
tested the friend We play even" I'VE
can't play even,' replied Mr.. Blaine. 1.-The
number l have given you Is the number
OF the votes of the southern states and
You understand, of course, that they are
yours without an effort"