The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1902-02-28
DEMOCRATS DIFFER.

For three hours W eGncSuaI alter
noon the Democratic Senators and
Delegates discussed in caucus propos-
ed amendments to the Election law.
The four Anne Arundel Delegates and
Mr.. Straus were not present. The re-
suit Of the caucus was the passage of
a resolution favoling the amendment
taking away the party designations
following the names of the candidates
on the ballot and leaving the bare
names. To offset this, howe1 er, it is
also proposed to have printed card,
giving the politics of each candidate,
posted on the voting booth. This
amendment was adopted l,y majority
vote, but only tentatively. and is I'M
derstood as not being binding upon
the member attending the caucus,
which was stormy throughout.
AS the matters now stand tie amend
ment will not be offered until the stu
alton in the House is cleared up and
the sentiment of the Democratic crys-
talized. 1t is stated that this amend
ment was the only one under discus
sion and that absolutely no action fur
Their than this was taken.
When Senator Moore, who presided,
called the caucus to order Senator
Wilson, of, Prince Georges county,
presented the above amendment with
provision that it be binding upon the
caucus. He explained that he offered
it in this way so as to sound the senti-
meIt of the Democrats present He
urged it was essential to agree upon a
certain line of policy in regard to
amendments or there was no hope for
the party two years hence. Senat tor
Wilson spoke scathingly of the $50.
called independent element of Balti-
more city and insinuated that The de-
feat OF the party in the city last fall
was due to the Hayes administration.
Senator Bryan made an impassion-
ed reply opposing the resolution and
the amendment and defending the city
administration. He took up the cud-
gels for the independents" and spoke
so loudly that President Hubner was
led to remark that the doors might as
well be thrown open and the public
asked in. Others made similar 70
marks and Mr.. Bryan sat down, say
ing. "Well, l will stop"
The Southern Maryland delegates $.
including Mr.. Wells, of Prince
Georges; Mr.. Dallam, Senator Green
well and others spoke warmly in favor
of the amendment, urging the ncces-
slty OF Democrats standing together if
there was to be future for the party
in Maryland
Senators Beasman, Of Carroll; Brew
ington, OF Wicomico; Rohrback. OF
Frederick, and Applegarth, of Dor
chester, with Delegates Painter, OF
Baltimore county, and White, of
Wicomico, opposed the amendment
and argued vigorously against it.
Senators Bryan and Robinson had
a controversy upon the CONSTITUTIONAL
ty of the proposed amendment. Sena-
tor Bryan urged that it was an educa.
tional test and Senator Robinson
strongly asserted that there is no
ground upon which to base doubt
of its constitutionality.
The Dorchester county delegates
including Messrs. Shepherd, Baker
Linthicum and Hackett, refused to be
bound by the resolution and indicated
that they would stand out against the
decision of the caucus in case they did
not agree with it.
Senator Bryan warned the caucus
that he would not be bound y, any
action not in accordance with his own
judgment, and vigorously opposed the
adoption of the amendment.
Senator Lewis spoke in favor OF
making intelligence prerequisite to
suffrage. Almost every body took a
part in the discussion and wide
divergence Of views YVES apparent.
Mr.. Painter, of Baltimore county
offered resolution that nothing less
than two-thirds vote of all the mem
bers present at caucus shall be con.
sidered binding upon the members
This was adopted. 1t was also said
that the Carroll county delegates are
disposed to stand out against the
amendment and follow Senator Beas-
man, who openly opposed it.
The general sense of the caucus was
that it is useless at the present time to
attempt any action along the line of
changes in the Election law and an
adjournment was taken subject to the
call of the chairman.
The two Jim Grow" bills Drovid.
ing for separate compartments on all
steamboats, and steam railways came