New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-03-13
nIsrRaNcHIsErEYT IN u.


The Maryland Legislature has just passed, by
the necessary three-hfths majority in each
branch an amendment to the State constitution
which boldly challenges the negro's right to suf-
roge. No other State has gone 50 far as Mary
land has in attacking the Negroes status as a
voter or in brushing aside the restraints i'm
posed on State action by the Fifteenth Amend
meEt to the federal Constitution. That amend
ment declares that "tbe right OF the citizens Of
"the United States 10 vote shall not be denied
or abridged by the United States or by any
"State on account Of race. color or previous con
'dition OF servi.ude" The present constitution
o. Maryland, adopted IN 1867. gave the suffrage
20 every white male citizen Of the United
States, Of The age Of twenty-one years or up
ward" who could show certain residence quail
hcatons. After the adoption Of the Fifteenth
Amendment the word white" was stricken out
81 the franchise article by general consent and
since March 80. 1870, Maryland has practised
unrestricted manhood suffrage.
The amendment now proposed BY the legis-
latUre for submission 20 the people discards the
word "v-litc" used IN the constitution Of 1861
u gives the franchise to every male citizen OF
rho United States whether native horn or
''natu-slized. Of twenty-one years or upward ="
who possesses certain residence qualifications
and can get bis name on a list OF registered
tered on that list a voter must face the famous
Mississippi iIIiteracy test de must 'be able To
read any section Of the Constitution submitted
TO him by The officers OF registration and 70
give reasonable explanation OF the same; or
~ unable from physical disability 10 read such
section able 10 understand ana give n reason
able explanation thereof when read 10 him By
the registration officers" IN itself this test Is
onen II no constitutional objection. II may be
applied unjustly and cspriciously. But so long
as n is applied without discrimination on &C
count OF race or color. Its validity cannot be
questioned
But the Maryland amendment expressly ex-
cepts from this Mliteracy test two classes Of
voters-those who prior 10 January /. loG9
were entitled 10 vote under the laws OF this
state o. OF any other State Of the United
states wherein they then resided" and the
usieGl male descendants OF such persons. Under
The MARYLAND constitution and laws only white
citizens q the United Stairs were entitled 10
vote on January ]. 1862; and in creating two
Classes o. cxempts from the nliseracy test tho
amendment re-cnacts Tie suffrage restrictions
which Il was the express purpose ef the Tif-
teentl Amendment % abolish. The proposed
article docs. I'm effect, seek to abridge the right
OF citizens OF the Emitted Stntes 20 vote on the
sole rround of 'rsee, color or previous condition
Of eeryitade"
That this is the aim and meaning OF the Mary
Hand amendment Is frankly admitted by the
Maryland Democrats themselves. In an inter
view en- "Tho Baltimore sun" Senator Robin
son. Democratic leader Of the State Senate re-
Gently snid IN defence Of the acknowledgements
scheme:
Cur promise Was 20 disfranchise the negro.
not tho flliterate nero. The time when nearly
the entire negro adult population viii be able
70 read AID write iE not Tar distant. and n we
rely upon ire educational test exclusively, IN q
short time thcre VIII be no negro cisfranchise-
went i think II win be hest Tor the
negroes - take them entirely out OF politics.
But testimony such as this was scarcely
Iresoed 70 emphasize the purposes with which