Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1904-01-08
Amending the State Constitution.

/
The Democratic managers propose to
introduce the bills, to which the party is
committed, affecting the election law and
the franchise, at the beginning of the present
session of the Legislature.
Mr.. John Prentice Poe, OF Baltimore, has
been at work on the subject and has drawn
an amendment which he believes will meet
the requirements Of the situation. Incident
ally Mr.. Poe's plan involves constitutional
convention.
To reporter Of the San Mr.. Poe out
lined his ideas and gave copy Of the amend
ments he has drawn.
Undoubtedly" he said, "the most effect.
i've way to deal with our present political
situation would be to follow the precedent
set by the Legislature of 1867 and call con-
stitutional convention. The bill directing
the call could also provide for the election at
the same time of delegates to the conven.
ton, so that if the majority Of the votes
should be cast in favor of the convention
the delegates would be elected by the same
vote.
"a supplementary registration could be
ordered, as is done for our spring munich
pal election, say on the 23rd or Gath day of
February proximo; the election could be
held on the second Wednesday Of March
and the convention could meet on the sec
ond Wednesday Of May. The Constitution
ha iran M hn-
fore October and the election next Novem-
Der could be held under it's provisions.
an this way the present political senti
ment of our people would find prompt and
effectual expression and we should escape
the dangers Of delay which will necessarily
attend postponement Of action until No
vember, 1905. By that time difficulties may
arise which may seriously obstruct the
adoption of the changes 10 our Constitution
to which the Democracy of the State Is
pledged and which the people now expect
the party to make 10 the most effective way.
COLLECTIONS may be expected to such
call, but debate and discussion would prob
ably remove them In large degree, and az
there would be no disposition to shorten
the terms of the incumbents OF Office under
the existing Constitution serious opposition
from them to the holding Of the convention
need not be expected, and In all probability
the call would be sustained by large ma
jority Of our people.
"But should the people defeat the call the
Legislature, In order to meet this contin-
gency, should pass bill proposing a con-
stitutional amendment prescribing the quail
hcations of our voters, and OF course such
bill should be passed If the Legislature
should decide not to call convention.
~ have given some study and reflection
TO this subject and suggest the following
amendment for consideration by the Legis.
lature:
Section ALI elections by the people
shall be by ballot Every male citizen Of
the United States, whether native born or
naturalized, OF the age Of 81 years or up
ward, who has resided in this State for one
year and in the Legislative district OF Balti'
more city, or in the county in which he may
offer To vote Tor six months next preceding
the election, and who, moreover, Is duly
registered as q qualified voter, as provided
in this Article, snail be entitled TO vote 10
the ward or election district IN which he
resides at all elections hereafter 10 be held
In this State; and in case any county or city
shall be 30 divided as TO form porLloLs oil
different electoral districts Tor the election
OF Representatives in Congress, Senators,
Delegates or other officers then TO entltle
person To vote Tor sucn officer, he must have
been resident of that part OF the county or
city which shall form part OF the electoral
district In which he offers to vote tor SIX
months next preceding the election; out
person who shall have acquired residence
in such county or city, entltllng him 10 vote
at any such election shall be entitled TO vote
in the election district from which he re.
moved until he shall have acquired a resi-
dence IN the part Of the county or city To
which he has removed. Every such male
citizen Of the United States having the above
prescribed qualifications OF age and resi-
dence shall be entitled TO be registered 30 as
10 become qualified voter II he be-
First--A person able TO read any section
OF the Constitution OF this State or OF the
United States submitted TO him by the officers
Of registration and TO give reasonable ex
PLANTATION Of the same; or II unable from
physical disability or other wise 10 read such
section, able 10 understand and give rea'
sonable explanation thereof when read 70
him by the registration officers; or,
Second-A person who on the first day OF
January, 1859, was entitled 10 vote under
the laws OF this State or any other Stale OF
the United States wherein he then resided;
OF,
Third-Any llneal descendant of such last
mentioned person until the year 1915.
No person not thus qualified by coming
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