The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1905-07-13
Ex-senator C. W. Michael of Har-
ford County, Independent Dem
0crat, Discusses the Amendment.

Ioppose the adoption of the DISTINGUISHING amendment to
the Constitution of MARYLAND
Frst-Because look upon this effort merely attempt
of the present management the Democratic party pepeu
its existence and power Maryland other
purpose whatsoever.
Second-Because look upon this method fraudulent
attempt undermine the Constitution of the United States
and that the racial sedens pleaded its justification has
foundation in fact.
ThrdBecause believe that tendency exists everywhere
in the United States whenever the interests of the powerful
qure it. to override constitutional restrictions which fully
convinced should receive encouragement
Fourth-Because. believing do in o1d-ashioned
ocatc principles think that the party be maintained
agency whereby good government may be effected only
when relies upon its honest and its honest principles
freely accepted by the people and upon various kinds of
election machinery which is deliberately contrved
their will.
Ffh-Because believe that whenever the people of Mary
land desire eliminate the teate purchasabe vote it
should be done such make certain that the
undesirable will be eliminated all political parties
alike and not from alone the great advantage oanoer
SixthBecause the right of elective franchise guaran
teed the people by the Constitution of the
though in my judgment it is unfairly and unrgheousy
administered yet far safer to have it left in
the tender keeping of those who be both the ignorant
INSCRIPTIONS minions of selfish and partisan manipulation
It has been shown by persons and particularly
by MI Edgar H. Cans his communication upon dsan-
chsng amendment that is quite possible these
amendments adopted with the aid of little gislaton
make the right depend upon the may give
to question that may be asked by the registration officers
upon the Constitution Of Maryand-or rather upon what the
registration officers choose to think about the
given said register being probably ignorant Constitutions
al law most of the persons seeking to have their reg
istered But suppose the registration officer you choose
learned in the law and perfectly honest and that he
take into his head to ask the reader explain meaning
of the following clause taken from the Bill of Rights Article
is: THAT no law to attain particular persons Of treason
felony ought to be made in case any time
ter What would be your answer Your this qes
ton would fix your right to vote How do you think you
would fare? think it would probably be fair assume that
90 per of the voting population of Maryland
plain this article.
Now suppose Mr. Cans suggested that registration Of
ce1s should ask to have the above clause others of equal
difficulty, explained by those whom they wished disfran
cise and should of those whom they wished
the right of franchise the explanation 70 the olowingSction
Article The Governor shall reside the gov
and receive for his services annual salary of
thousand five hundred dollars other very simple section
1t is easily what great power the registration officers
would have the elections favor their masers-for
all that have Maryland will assume as
many affect that there in Maryland