The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1904-03-17
Mr.. WAKEFIELD WILL NOT
SIGN POE AMENDMENT
No Doubt that this is Governor Pres
ent lntentlon-Party Man
ayers are Angry.

mat II Is Governor Warheld : pres
ent intention to veto the Poe disfran-
chising amendment is certain. That
the Democratic party managers are
very angry with the Governor is also
certain.
Attorney General Bryan has given
Governor Wartield a strong opinion
to the effect that he undoubtedly has
the power to veto the bill for a consti-
tutional amendment, Just as any other
bill. This opinion is based upon the
provisions of the Constitution, which
in one section, states that amendments
to the Constitution must be in the
form of bill passed by a three tifths
vote in the Legislature, and in anoth-
er section prescribes that all bills
must be signed by the Governor.
The enrolled copy of the bill is not
yet before the Governor, and he states
that it would be improper for him to
say what he intends to do with it un-
til it is presented to him. Then, he
says, he will act quickly. 1t is well
understood, though. that he intends
to say that he would sign the Bryan
bill if passed up to him.
The Democratic leaders say there
will be no compromise on the BRYAN
bill or any other plan. The Poe bill
is one they want. and they will have
1t or none. On this point they are
most emphatic. They also assert that
they have taken expert legal counsel
and are advised that the Governor
has no power to veto it. They say
that, while it has been customary for
Governors TO sign Constitutional
amendments and his name would look
well on it, his signature is not neces-
sary and that the amendment will
certainly be submitted to the voters
the fall of 1905, regardless of anything
he may do.
The foes OF the Poe Constitutional
amendment and the proposed new
election law, which is necessary to
give it life. are gathering strength
each day. The amendment and the
partisan election bill are inseparably
linked Without the window the
advocates of the Poe disfranchise
scheme have no hope of victory at
the polls.
Governor Warfield is an advocate
of the amendment to the Constitution
drawn by the Attorney General Bryan
The partisan Judge system, which, it
was announced last Friday, would be
included in bill yet to be introduced,
would give the advocates of the Poe
amendment an opportunity to force it
OH the State regardless of their wishes.
Governor Warfield has already been
approached for the purpose of ascer-
tanning his attitude on such bill be-
fore it is introduced. The result of
these talks has been very encouraging
to those who are anxious above every
thing else to see the purity of the bal
lot preserved. Not only does the Gov
ernor according to common rumor, re
fuse to encourage the plan, but the
general tenor of his remarks leads the
advocates of a partisan election law
to believe that he would veto such a
bill without..a moments hesitation.
1t is true the Democrats have the
necessary twO-thirds majority in both
Legislatures bodies to pass the law
over the Governors veto. 1t is not
thought that the Democratic legisla-
tors will do this, however. In fact.
there is a strong and independent ele-
ment in the House, which is getting
together in order to defeat such bill,
and the probability is that the Cover
nor will never be called upon to exer-
else his veto in connection with the
election bill
Public sentiment is gradually be
coming aroused against any back
ward step in preserving the purity of
the election law. The dictated atti-
tude of Governor Wartield and the
opposition in the House has already
created the impression that the par
tisan law will never be introduced.
However this may be, encouragement
from fair minded people will aid ma
terially in helping the independent
legislator to withstand the pressure
that will be brought to change their
attitude. These lawmakers wish to
feel that the people are behind them
in the fight they propose to make in
opposition to the bill, in case it is in
troduced.
This Constitutional amendment bill
has had the effect of pushing Mr..
Bryan's plan to the front as the most
just and practical one for for carrying
out the promise of the Democratic
platform. Governor Warfeld is op-
posed to the Poe amendment. and
Acknowledgement Bryan is fighting it
openly. Under such conditions even
the advocates of the condemned meas
ure can see no hope for it at the polls.