Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1902-03-24
Mr.. BRAsHEARs' VIEWS ON THE
BALLOT Law.

HE CONDEMNS 1T. AND SAYS DEMOCRATIC
MANAGERS ARE INCOMPETENT.
Every honorable and fair-minded man
will agree with Mr.. James r. Brashears.
OF the Anne Arundel delegation and
chairman of the House Judiciary Com
mite. in the stand he has taken on the
general election law now pending before
the Legislature. Mr.. Brashears has main
tanned this position all aiong-it is not
new departure with him at this pariicu
lar time. Every one will admit that
knows anything about the political con-
dinon OF affairs in this state. that the
statement made by Mr.. Brashears is true
and there is no DENYING the fact. MIR.
Brashears Is very conservative man,
as every one who knows him win admit.
and when once convinced of the right no
one can swerve him from his course. His
statement which we published below is
worthy OF the consideration of every con-
servative. iair-minded man. Mr.. Bra
shears. in explanation OF his position
says:
"My position on the ballot law is not
an impulsive thought, owing to our re-
cent dlsmembeiment by the present State
managers. but il is my judgment after
mature and deliberate study OF the ques-
ton In It's legal aspect, as well as its
political effect upon the Democratic
party.
"Senator Bryan, whom l always re-
gard as an honest and an independent
man within his party. well knows what
my position was two years ago. although
was not member of the Legislature.
because then expressed to him my
views on the subject. | told him then,
and still hold. that il we were to pass a
Law that would disfranchise the negro
and thereby make nomination by the
Democratic party equivalent to an cleo
ton. there would be no place in the party
for a decent man. because the managers
would not allow a man to be nominated
who would not be an absolute tool in
their hands. The result would be that
the good people of the State would not
submit to such rule. and would patu-
rally revolt. and in the course OF a few
years the Democratic party would be
defeated. and the law being only statu.
tory provision. it could and would be re-
pealed. with the result that every illit-
crate man who was DISTINGUISHED would
L. a.
again.
"The present law disfranchisss large
number OF negro vot,rs, and with good
nominations made by the people. ard NOT
few men in baltimore city behind
barred doors. the Democrats can win in
every county in The State. That is clear
10 my mind b. observation OF the con
duct and character OF the members OF
tie House of Delegates from the doubt
ful counties. With such Democrats as
we have in the House from the doubtful
counties and fair and honest ballot, as
Is now provided by the Straus bill, we
can always elect the Democratic ticket.
and il is not necessary to have trick
ballots l think it has been clearly
demonstrated in ST. Mary's and Prince
Georges counties. and am fully con-
vinced that If Calvert county had rot
adopted such ballot as il did we would
now have two Democratic members from
that county.
Another question. think. should be
seriously considered, and that is the con
stitutionality OF the law. The present
law has no, been passed on by the Court
of Appeals, and there has always been a
serious doubt among many of the ablest
lawyers of the State as TO its constitu-
tionality. and it seems to me that we
should be content with what we have as
we 20 further. as is designed by some of
the party managers of the State and
some Of the counties. who wish to ger
petuate themselves in power at the risk
of the party, and the law be stricken
down by the Court of Appeals. what
hope would there be for the Democratic
party in the 5 ate l say none whatever.
Because we cannot expect help from the
voters we have disfranchished. and the
State would be hopelessly Republican.
Why is il necessary for such a laws We
elected Governor Smith in 1899. when the
machinery was in the hands of the Re-
publican party, BY 1900 majority. and
We elected Mayor Hayes in Baltimore
by a majority OF ooco. Then. what is the
difficulty now. under more favorable con
ditions. that is. with the machinery and
a law that DISTINGUISHES at least one
fifth Of the negro vote The secret is. if