The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1904-01-22

SuGtnSS III lHS SiSNil''ii II s'h'>'''" ~ ''>'
will have for it's primary object the
elimination ofthe negro vote. Several
suggestions have been made and it
seems to be the consensus of opinion
that the "Grandfather" clause will be
adopted. Ii this is put in the
shape of an amendment to be sub
mitted to the people it cannot be
passed upon until the election OF
1905. There are many reasons why
it is desirable to bring about these
changed conditions previous to that
time One potent argument is the
national election next fall. In 1896
and 900 the republicans have carried
Maryland. Under present conditions
it is now believed that this will not
be possible, vet out of all abundance
of precaution it would be we'll to have
the new amendment of the Constitu
ton operative as quickly asposslble.
The second reason, and one that
comes home more nearly to our rural
residents, is the improvements of the
public roads. The best legal talent
in the State NOW agrees that it will
benecessarv to have the Constltu-
ton slightly altered before the State
can expend money for internal im-
provements. AS the matter now
stands, this amendment would also
have to be submitted at the election
Of 1905, and the legislature could do
nothing until the session of 1906.
Our people are ripe forroad improve
lnent and a two years delay is I'M
necessarily tedious provided the ends
could be sooner accomplished. The
cost of a Constitutional Convention
should not reach over $4,000. or
course, this will not include the cleo
ton expenses that will have to be
borne by each county, which will be
additional to the above amount.
The present condition of the State
Treasury warrants the expenditure
of a reasonable sum of money pro-
vided value received is gained by the
taxpayers. Two years is a long time
to wait and the spirit of liberality
which is now extended towards in
ternal improvements may be changed
and in the course of events which are
constantly happening the public ear
at that time may be turned in some
other direction.
Therefore, if the democrats deport
themselves in a proper manner dur
ing the present session, and thereby
gain the continued respect of a ma
iority of the voters of this State, there
would be many advantages TO be
gained from a Constitutional Con-
vention provided the lines were care
fully drawn i'll advance. 1t is not
DESTROYS to interfere with any of the
terms ofthe present ofhce-holders, and
the party should outline the general
scope ofthe work for the Convention
to do, and when this is accomplished
to the satisfaction OF majority of the
voters of the State they should adj
iourn without delay. There is some
fear that the corporations may at
tempt to have advantageous clauses
inserted in a new Constitution, but
the people of the State should elect
men of such high calibre that their
personal integrity will be above the
approach of any insinuating PROPOSE
ton coming from such sources.
The necessities of our form of Gov
eminent require that we must trust
some one, therefore, if due care has
been exercised in selecting the proper
members we can rely upon their de-
votion to public duty which will re-
quire them to give their first and
great aid to the State. Questionable
propositions may be introduced, but
the members to beelected we feel sure
will not permit the public reputation
of our Commonwealth to be
smirched.