The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1905-10-26
"UN-AMERICAN PROPOSITION"
ReStOr Of the Cumberland Bar Sees
nenanCe in the Poe Amendment.
To the Editor Of the Republican

nenanCe in the Poe Amendment.
To the Editor of the Republican
Our state election is approaching
rapidly. 1t will be held on the eth Of
the coming November. 1t will be
most important one in different re-
spects. Upon the tickets will be can
didates for important state and coun-
ty officers. And it is proper TO say
the Republican ticket is an accepta-
BILE one. But really the most impor-
tant feature of the election will be
the Poe amendment to our Constitu-
ton. 1t is feared by many the people
of our good old state have not consid-
cred this vital question as fully as
they should. Really there are but
few, if any, who can say or feel that
they are not interested in it. Now
and heretofore the right to vote is
one fixed by law; a vested right it
can be said. a person of proper age
and residence with some other unim-
portan5 accomplishments, was emit
tied to be registered as q matter of
course followed blythe right to vote.
Here is the amendment sought to
be forced upon our people, without
being called for or wanted by them;
First, a person able to read any
section Of the Constitution of this
state submitted to him by the officers
of registration, and give a reasonable
explanation of the same, or if unable
TO read such section, is able to under
stand and give a reasonable eXplana-
ton. thereof when read 10 him by the
registration officers"
Anyone who reads and studies this
proposition will see that the law will
no longer assure the right to citizens
of Maryland to vote at elections, but
places that precious right at the dis
posai Of the registration officers.
Their wills orwishes must be satisfied
before persons, however deserving,
can be registered. They Will have
the right to ask applicants any ques-
tiOns from our Constitution they may
choose, and require such answers as
they may wish, though time-honored
voters may be DISTINGUISHED thereby.
Ii will be an easy matter and | fear a
desired one many times, especially
when aided by skiIlful lawyers, to
PROFOUND questions, such as but few
persons can answer under tie Poe
amendment. Heretofore the law by
plain and reasonable provisions gave
citizens the right to vote, but under
the proposed amendment, the appli-
cant for registration must undergo a
legal examination by persons without
legal knowledge. Is not this an an
omaly? Even worse.
The Constitution itself under which
we have lived so long, has within its
wide organic scope many uncertain
ties. This has been shown by the de-
cIsions and ruling of our courts and
opinions of eminent iurists. How then
can it be expected, that a plain, prac-
teal man should be able to explain
difficult constitutional questions to
the satisfaction of persons who know
no more Of the Constitution than the
person asking to be registered.
1t is hardly fair or just to charge
tins monstrous proposition to the
whole Democratic party. The truth
is it did not originate with its masses.
Gov. Warfield, Senator Rayner and
many other eminent Democrats are
opposed to it. Where then did it
have its origin? This is easily answer
ed; in the prolific brain of Senator a.
p. German. Not for the advance
ment of true Democracy, but for his
own political and personal benefit. In
all conscience ought not the Demo
cratic party to rid itself of its present
Odious situation and resume its nor
nal real Democratic foundations and
principles.
We all know the amendment is
chiefly aimed at the colored persons,
with the intention of strengthening
the one party and weakening the
other. 1t must be known there are
illiterates among the whites as we'll
as among the blacks. 1t will strike
and hurt both races, not far from
equally. Illiteracy has not heretofore
been considered an offense in the eye
of the law or of society. 1t is simply
an inconvenience, or misfortune; but
it no way detracts from good citizen
ship, No one so conditioned can
plead it as a bar to a crime or mis-
demeanOr, nor would it be an excuse
from military service for his country,
nor to the tax gatherer, who may de-
mand the tribute. The man who can
not write goes about his business Just
the same as the one who can WELD
the pen fiuently. He can deposit his
hard earnings in the bank, and sign
check with his mark, and it will be
honored. He can make a promissory
note or bond with his cross, and he
will be bound by it. The same thing
as to deed for his real property.