Durango semi-weekly herald., 1905-11-06
rnE NATIONS EyEs
AAE ON MARYLAND


AAe ON MARYLAND
senator Rsyner1 swing over TO the
opponents OF Senator German on the
Poe smeodment gives new element
Of interest 10 n canvass which alreadA
bad q greater interest for the country
Al large than any which Ii being
wased IN any other state 10 1906.
Maryland elects a few minor state Of
rcers, but II As the negro disfranchis-
ing amendment which attracts nation
al attention. This proposition sets ny
three Kinds os qualifications for voters
in Maryland. Anybody who WAS enti'
tied 10 vote In any state on January
], 1858, will be entitled TO vote under
the proposed amendmepf. So Will ans
male uneal desceadant OF any such
person who Ii II eyars Of age. No
others can be allowed TO vots except
r1ose who can read any section Of the
Maryland constitution submitted by
rhe registration officers, aud give a
removable explanation OF the same,
or n unable to read such section, Is
able TO understand and give Il reason
able explanation thereof. when read
to him BY the registration officers"
Senator German is the author OF
this proposition AS well as its most
active defender. He put in the date
January ], 1869, so as to disfranchise
The negroes, But IL was quickly die
covered that this provision would as
sail the larger proportion of toe white
citizens OF foreign birth also. For
eign- born citizens would have to stand
this examination the same az negroes.
Under this understanding clause a
dangerously wide latitude is given 10
the registration officers, most oil
whom, n the amendment should be
adopted, would be German men. TWO
Of the four members Of registration
board could shut out an applicant for
the ballot. Il would take three o1t
OF four 10 admit him, It Is easy 10
see that a negro would ueed the a.
tainments OF Booker 7. Washington
10 explain" section Of the Maryland
constitution to the satisfaction of the
nesroextermipating board Of registra
ton The same sort OF ga1ntle,
would have TO be run by the white
foreigner who was suspected OF beins
4 Republican or Of being an spti-Gor
inAn Democrst.
This arbitrary power over whites as
well az blacks which the Poe amend
ment gives has arrayed many Demo
crats against it Governor WarneIC
says the amendment would be liable
To Clause grave abuses through the
prejndices, the whims and the partisan
zeal OF the registration officers" Al
torney General Bryan, another Demc
cratic stalwart, uses even stronse
language against It. A powerful eie
Ient Of the Democratic party in Bslti
more has issued an address sgaips
the amendment, and calls on all goo,
Democrats to oppose it. Senator Ray
not been questioned by anybody, says
Il enter my most solemn protes
against the indictiop OF this ouTsg
upon toe people Of my state and b
Calls upon bis friends OF the Angie
Saxon race 70 assist in burying tn
Amendment under an avalanche Q
votes. Az bribe 10 get votes for hi
proposition. Seuator German says i
the amendment passes be will retir'
from politics, but that If 1t be defeaie,
he VII remain In Office and try to ge
another term when the present oos
expires. This bait thrown out to bl
Democratic and Republican enemies
xhows CormAn's desperation and is /
sign that he fears defeat. II is under
stood that the administration at Wash
ihgton Is paying especial attention L
this campaign. Secretary Bouapart'
is IN active participant In 1t In oppo
siuon to the Gorman.Poe amendment
The election bulletins from Maryland
on the night Of November will b.
scanned With eager Interest all ovel
the United Democrat.