Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-08-13
PERPLEXING QUESTION
OVER UNKNOWN
AUTHOR OF POE AMENDMENT.


| the halls Of history as the companion aues-
| tion of who Struck Billy Patterson"
Gen. L. Victor Bau8hman asserts that
| John P. Poe. counsel to the democratic
| state machine and the reputed author of
| the measure. did not write it: that it was
the result OF work on the part OF national
| leaders But Gen. Baug falls 10 name
| these national leaders who framed the
amendment and Mr.. Poe declines to discuss
the question Of authorship. However. the
fact remains that the measure drafted by
| Attorney General Bryan and Endorsed by
Gov. Warfield was rejected by the German
machine at the last session Of the Iesis-
| Iature and that Mr.. Poe as counsel to the
party managers. was asked to frame an act.
whether Mr.. Poes measure was also re-
1ected Is an open question. and If such Is
the case. it is the first time In the his
tory of the machine that Mr. Poe's abilities
have been discounted.
Just why Gen. Baughman made an eff
lott 10 uncouple the name OF Poe from
the amendment is mystery. but close OBJ
servers assert that the western MARYLAND
leaders action was only taken after he
mad consulted with Senator German The
only explanation thus far vouchsafed came
from close friend of the city boss. I.
Freeman Rasin, who said: THE German
crowd evidently think that Poe's name
attached to the amendment is a case of
carrying weight for age which handicap
'hey are endeavoring to throw Off"
Republicans Hopeful.
The local republican leaders express ev-
! cry confidence that the amendment will be
beaten. but assert that hard work WILL be
necessary to achieve that end Secretary
John G.. Simering of the executive commit
tee OF the republican state central commit
tee. In discussing the situation with The
Star correspondent today said:
ne amendment can and will be defeated
II II Is handled properly. but any one who
imagines the measure can be defeated bv
slttlng still and talking about it Is greatly
mistaken. Many democrats and independ-
ents are opposed to 1t because of its mani
testify unfair provisions
There is no question that the reRistra-
ton should be purged Of ilIiterates but not
III the manner prescribed by the present
democratic leaders. If a fair measure
nave no hesitation in stating that all fair
minded persons would support It, irrespect-
I've Of party affiliations
mis- Poe amendment. however. is only
another OF the many schemes by which
the democratic organization seeks to per-
petuate its control Of the state Prior to
1870 ballot box stuffing and 'roughns' It
a. d the polls was the democratic method.
linen came the revolt and the democrats
AFTER being out In the cold for four wears
promised to be good If given the chance.
lhey got the chance and what did the lead
ers do? They passed the Smith election
law. which made possible the return OF
Gorman to the Senate. Under this law. in
stead or stuH1ng boxes with ballots they
won our by emptying them. Now. they want
20 try a registratio scheme that would
confound the Supreme Court of the United
states. Under it's provisions who will pass
On our aaalifcations to vote? Why. pre-
e.het heeiers. creatures Of ward leaders
and the like. Does any one expect that a
square deal would be given?
we are asked to trust the democrats
s ana are told that they will do the right
.hlng. What promise have they ever kent
Ihat should induce the voters to trust them?
l oont believe the measure will pass.
oon think the majority of Marvlanders
W. "ot ~ SO s,nltlfy themselves in the eyes
OF the whole country as to allow such
measure TO go on statutes"
Democrats Fearful.
ihe German machine leaders while openly
asserting that the amendment Is sure to he
passed. VIII. when pinned down for a rea
son for their faith admit that the me,sura
Is IN grave danger of defeat So fearful 4,
Idct, are they that it IS doubtful If any All
Tempt Will be made TO force an indorsemen.
VI Inc measure by the state convention next
,oHtH' II, however. the amendment Is in
oorsed II VIII be against the advice of such
aslute and clever leaders as Mr. Rasin and
congressman Talbot The city leader and
many or the county leaders fully realize
the widespread opposition to the Poe nI.n
ana they fear that Endorsement will
ticket. '4'''i'e
1t can be safely predicted that baltimore
city VIII return d heavy majority against
the amendment. This Is made evident nv
reports from the wards where there are con-
tests Tor the democratic legislative ticket
In nearly all Of these wards the candidates
nave made personal canvass and the re-
pies indicate that large percentage of the
voters after pledgng themselves to sunnort
one or the other of the candidates qualify
their pledge by stating that they intend to
vote against the amendment. This deyelop-
Hleht or the primary is not confined TO any
one city ward. Hundreds of voters in East
Baltimore. where there is a large propor-
ton of the foreign-born population. have
declared themselves In the way against the
amendment. and the same condition holds
good In other sections of the city. 1t is an
open secret that il it could be assured that
the state LEADERS would keep hands off and
not attempt to force an Endorsement of the
amendment by the state convention. many
OF the local candidates would come out
openly against the Poe plan. They feel
however. that they cannot set themselves
up in opposition to the party leaders now
with the probability that they may be com
PEELED by party usage to subscribe to the
amendment after the convention meets
AS to Baughman.
The defeat OF Col Spencer c. Jones by
Blair Lee In the Montgomery county pri-
Inaries last Saturday, while a heavy blow
10 the machine. was not cloud without a
silver lining. On the same day, 1t will be
remembered. Gen. Baushman held his coun-
ty convention at Frederick. and he had little
or no trouble In having the Poe plan in
dorsed. Now Col. Jones and Cen Baugh-
man were recognized as the leading candi-
dates for the guberratoriai nomination. with
Col. Jones shade In the lead The failure
of the Montgomery county leader to lead
at the critical moment and the with
which the Frederick county leader handled
his delegates. has placed Gen. Baughman
in the lead. and he will from now on have
the machine at his back. For, argue the
Baughman men, what right has Jones to
aspire to the gubernatorial nomination
when he. could rot carry his own county in
a primary fight.
Friends of Col. Jones. however assert that
Mr.. Lees victory was in no sense per-
sonal defeat for the former. AS a Jones
man put 1t to The Star correspondent to-
day: 1T was at the machine to which Col.
Jones lent himeslf and the DISTINGUISHING
amendment that the voters aimed. The
machine in the counties means Senator
German. since his wishes with 1t have al
ways been supreme The opposition chose
strong man and with him wrested control
from the German clique in Montgomery
county. While not machine man. 1 am a
friend of Col Jones. and an impartial
analysis of the result in Montgomery ceun-
ty must show that Col Jones personal