Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1903-12-12
BURNING QUESTION
Of LEGISLATION,
Discussing The Matter Of 4
Constitutional Convention.
Proposed Amendment
Thereto.

January u, the Democratic managers
will have definitely decided upon and
prepared the legislation which it is
proposed to pass for the purpose of
eliminating the negro as political
factor in Maryland. That their ante.
election promises on this line must be
carried out to the letter is recognized as
vital by the party leaders, and the work
of preparation is already under way.
The idea of constitutional convention
mex. summer. with which Senator Cor
man was at first imbued. has now been
practically abandoned for two reasons
first. because of the lack of feasibility
of such Il thing. and, secondly, because
an amendment to the Constitution by
the General Assembly, it is believed,
will be equally effective and not half so
dangerous from a Democratic point of
view.
The convention plan. while at first ia
vored. has been strongly opposed by
some Of the most prominent men in the
party. 1t has been pointed out as an
objection that special election would
have to be held to choose delegates to
the con, ention and there would be the
risk of the Republicans gaining control
and thus making it Republican con-
vention. Again. it is urged. the con-
vention, even if the Democrats were in
the ascendancy, might get away and do
all kinds of things not at all contem-
plated by the leaders when it was ca led
After mature thought the more con-
sentative Of the managers have practi-
cally concluded that to have the Legis-
lature call a constitutional convention
would be something like jumping on a
wild horse without bridle," and that
some safer method must be devised.
Recently several conferences on this
subject have been held. and Mr.. Cor
man has gotten the views OF number
of gentlemen. both in Maryland and out
OF it, upon the matter. Various schemes
have been suggested and threshed out,
but the one that appears to be most
favorably considered, as at the same
time simple and effective, as we'll as
to the thousands who voted
with the party upon the race issue alone,
is an amendment to the Constitution
features of the North
Carolina and Massachusetts laws.
THIS Is THE AMENDMENT PROPOSED.
The amendment proposed provides
that only those persons who were en-
titled to vote prior to 1867 or who are
descendants of citizens who could vote
before that year shall now be entitled to
unless they can read aud ex-
PLAIN section of the Constitution If
the United States or paw taxes upon
certain amount of property Ii any
thing more satisfactory than this
can be devised for their
purpose. those who favor it say, they do
not know what it is. They point out
that this will absolutely eliminate the
negro, as it was not Apntil 1867 that the
Fifteenth Ameustur,ilt went into effect
aud that it will lot disfranchise an
illlterate native-born white man.
Neither will it. they assert, bar out
any naturalized foreigner who can read
or who owns properly. To deprive of
his vote the naturalized foreigner who
can neither read nor who owns taxable
property, it is claimed, will benefit the
community generally and put elections
in Maryland upon higher plane. The
friends of this amendment say they see
no valid objection toSt, and the claim is
made that it fully and effectively meets
the case. Should it be passed by the
Legislature it would have to be sub
mitted to the people at the next general
election. which would be held in the
fall Of 1905. Its ratification, it is claim
ed, would be almost foregone COIL
clusion.
ELECTION LAW CHANGES.
Aside from the race" legislation it is
proposed by the party people to make
various changes in the election laws. As
has been told in Tie SIM. there will be