Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1904-12-12
THE CONSTITUTIONAL AMEND
MENT AND IT'S POWERS.

The CONSTITUTIONAL AMEND
MENT AND IT'S POWERS.
The constitutional amendment, which
Is now in the Courts. has been, ever
since its passage by the-last Legisla.
ture. a subject Of much controversy.
1t is natural that difference of opin.
ion should exist not only as TO the
validity Of its passage by the Legisla
ture. but as to it's expediency as
measure for party advantage. But a
much deeper view must be taken OF
the question by those who are citizens
before they are partisans, by those
who exercise their franchises for the
welfare of society and not for the con-
tinuance in power of any political
party.
What the people deem Of sufficient
importance to place in their constitu
tion, they regard as not proper TO be
left to legislative discretion. If iegis-
latiye control is considered dangerous
20 constitutional right, how much
more dangerous is 1t 10 leave the mat
ter in the hands Of subordinate Off
cials whose duties should be purely
ministerial. And yet this is what the
proposed constitutional amendment
would do The registration officers
have not only the discretion of select
ing the section OF the constitution to
be read and explained by the applicant
for registration, but have the discre-
ton Of deciding whether the reading
and explanation show sufficient intel
ligence 70 permit the applicant to
register
The very statement of the matter
shows the lurking dangers of its en-
forcement, and considering the ten
denotes of our political conditions,
the adoption of this amendment means
further degradation of the ballot box
and more outrageous assaults upon
free government. It's language cannot
stand honest criticism, in that it fails
TO prescribe any definite qualification,
and it's purpose may be sinister, as its
execution in the hands of partisan
registrars, can be used for party ad
vantage. Il wholly fails to measure
up to what a constitutional provision
ought to be. II will never commend
itself to that consciousness of the peo
pie, which is ultimately the regulat-
ing, controlling force in every consti-
tutional government.
Governor Warfeld is no less Dem
oorat because of his opposition to this
particular measure. nor is he unmind-
full of his promises to the people dur
ing his canvass for Governor. He is
favorable to constitutional amend.
ment regulating the right to vote, but
the provision must be definite in pre-
scribing the qualification. The quail.
tication must rest in the clear, precise
language Of the law itself. and not in
the breast of subordinate admins
trative official. His position is not
that of the partisan, but it is the
strong, unassailable position of the
citizen-the statesman-the public
spirited. fearless Governor that he has
proved to be-one whom future gener
ations viii honor more for his stand
on this question than any act of his
administration.
The Governor understands an ap-
preciates our present social and politi-
cal conditions He recognizes the
dangers of an indiscrimnate suffrage.
and knows that the preservation of
our institutions in their full vigor calls
for more CONSCIENTIOUS, intelligent
electorate. His views are we'll ex-
pressed by celebrated writer: "To
settle questions at issue peaceably,
intelligently, justly. without recourse
to arms. save as "a last resort, is the
aim of the most advanced governments
--an-aim ever harder TO realize in pro-
portion as the suffrage is degraded
Not more than once in q generation is
che American citizen summoned to
defend the state at the peril of his
life. 1t is at the ballot box that the
real battles of the new age are being
fought ont. 1t is there by quiet un
dramatic. but none the less patriotic
service, that the commonweal is de-
Tended from assault. The state does
we'll 20 hold its suffrage thing of
worth. to make il prize TO be sought
atter-a privilege to which the incap.
able may not aspire.
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Secretary of the Navy Paul Morton
is currently reported TO be swinging a
frae hand and defyinc the attempts