The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1905-11-30
WAKEFIELD FAVORS
DISFRANCHISEMENT.
Probable Points of the Measure
Democratic Snar! n State
TreasurerShiu.

ter to have the legislature pass A bill
submitting to the people two years
hence measure providing for the
acknowledgements of illiterate voters.
1t Is stated that the governor regards
the passage of such IA measure imper-
ative if the pledge made in the plat
form upon which he was elected is to
be carried out. The opposition of the
governor toward the Poe amendment
was based solely upon the fact that it
gave arbitrary and unusual powers
to election officials. Gov Warfield is
in favor of the Open-door policy ia
suffrage for the thrifty, intelligent
and law-abiding colored citizen.
That the governor will be confront
ed with obstacles in securing the pas
sage of such preliminary legislation
as may be necessary is admitted on
all sides. In the first place the neces-
sary three-tifths democratic majority
in the house will be lacking, and it is
not at all likely that the German or
ganiZatiOn democrats in the legisla.
ture will lend any assistance TO the
governor. However, the friends of
the governor are relying upon the
fact that there is a general demand
for the elevation of the suffrage and
have hopes that the demand may be-
come so strong that the ring demo-
Gratis, however unwilling, may be
forced to assist the governor in his
plans. 1t is not at all unlikely that
the republicans in the legislature NAV
operate with the governor toward
securing the passage of such meas
ure.
The suffrage restriction plan, which
has the Endorsement of Gov. WarfieId.
does not give any arbitrary powers
to judges of election, but clearly de-
fines the qualifications which shall
make a citizen eligible to vote. In a
nutshell the plan is as follows:
First-A person who on or before
the first day of January, 1863, was
entitled to vote under the laws of this
state or of any other state.
Secondary male lineal descend
ant of such aforementioned person.
Third-Any foreign born citizen of
the. United States who has been nat
uralized between the first day of Jan
uary, 1868, and the date of adoption
of this section of this article.
Fourth Any male lineaI descend
ant of such aforementioned person.
Fifth-Any person who is the bona
tide pOssessor of assessable property
to the amount of $400, upon which
property he has been legally and
bona tidedly assessed upon the tax
books of any county or city of this
state for two years preceding the time
he applies for registration and who
has paid taxes for the said two years
preceding the time he applies for reg
istratiOn. This plan is the one fav-
ored by democrats generally barring
Senator German, few of his lieuten-
ants and the ring henchmen. 1t is
claimed that such an amendment
would etfectually disfranchise the il
literate negro vote and would redeem
the pledges made in the platform
which elected Wartield by a hand
some majority. Of course the plan
outlined will meet with the opposition
of the Gormant ring, principally be-
cause its ratification by the voters
would greatlyiadd to the prestige al
ready won by the governor and still
further eclipse the figure of German
in politics in Maryland.
There promises to be something of
a battle over the election of a state
treasurer next January. The anti
organization democrats are on a still
hunt for candidate against Treas
urer Nandiver, the incumbent. The
It.depends ina great measure on
the stand to be taken by the govern
or, if a democrat is to be chosen. And
II CLl wv lIlNllGC( luis 1t EttIIlS SAFE
to assert that MIR. Warfeld will keep
HANDS off in the fight. The only way
in which Nandiver could be defeated
would be by Il combination with the
republicans, and, as the governor is
partisan he would not for an instant
counteuance or advise such move.
Then ten anti organization democrats
in the legislature, however, are bitter
against the German machine. and
may resort to filibustering tactics in
hope that Nandiyer may win out af-
ter prolonged deadlock. 1t has
even been limited that these ten dem
ocrats may carry their antagonism
against Nandiver to the point of yot-
ing for the republican candidate, but
inasmuch as such a breach of regu-
larity would place them outside the
party lines, it is not likely that sucl.
a course will be pursued. However,
the situation is full of possibilities,
and, whatever the result, the prelim-
mary maneuyering will prove inter.
esting.
Cartwright, at Loeb Lynn,
Has just opened the largest stock of
Snag Proof Gum Goods ever brought
b. II, TO- Il, I'll.