The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1905-05-12

and. second that he be 81 years of age
or over in the year 1906.
This clause operates with equal force
in law upon all such adult male lineal
descendants.
No man, whether white or black can
come in under this grandfather clause"
unless he was in esse in 1855. and con-
sequenty at least q years old in 1906.
But all may come in under this clause
who were born prior to 1885.
The lineal descendants born after the
year 1885 Of those who voted on Janu-
airy !. 1869. cannot become registered
voters in 1907, or afterward. except IN
der the educational test prescribed by
the First Clause of the Amendment.
for the Obvious reason that in 1906 (the
specific date designated they will not
be p years old.
BY this simple provision the grand
father clause" will gradually cease to
be operative, and no male. whether
white or black. who shall arrive at age
after 1906 can become a registered voter
unless he possess the qualification pre-
scribed by the Educational Clause. But
no man, white or black. who was avoter
on January /, 1869, or who is a linsal
descendant Oh such voter and twenty
ope,%ears Of age or over in 1906. can be
denied registration because of his ina
bility 70 meet such educational test.
From the Virginia Constitution.
This cause is taken from the present
Constitution of Virginia and represents
the result Of the deliberations Of the re
cent Virginia State Convention upon
the subject aided as these deliberations
were by careful study Of the provisions
OF the several Southern States upon the
question Of negro suffrage and by the
successful and satisfactory practical op-
Grafton Of such provisions in those
States.
II thus reflects and adopts the latest
and best views of the strongest men of
the South.
Recurring TO its precise language. we
find that it confers the right to regis
| tration las the indispensable prelimi-
nary TO the right to vote) upon every
adult male possessing the prescribed
qualification of one years legal resi-
dence in Maryland. who is able 10 read
and give reasonable explanation of
any section Of the Constitution of Mary
land submitted TO him by the Registra-
| ton Officers; or, if such adult male IS
unable to read. then the right 10 regis
tration is given if he is able to under
stand and give explanation" of any sec
ton of the Constitution when read TO
him by them.
II the applicant is able to read and
give a reasonable explanation of any
section Of the Constitution. when thus
submitted to him. he is entitled to reg
istration
This Standing alone would fairly
mean that the applicant must be able
both TO read and give a reasonable ex-
PLANTATION of the section submitted TO
him. BIT the succeeding words of the
clause show that such cannot be It's
meaning. for these succeeding words
declare that if the applicant cannot
read. but can understand and give ex-
PLANTATION of the section when read to
him. he is in that event entitled to reg
istration
From this examination of the whole
clause it is clear that no more is re-
quired Of any applicant than an ability
to give a reasonable explanation of any
section Of the Constitution. whether
read by him when submitted by the
Registration Officers. or when read to
him by them
The literal language of the second
part of the clause does not require that
the explanation shall be reasonable"
but inasmuch as the applicant who is
unable to read is required both ito I'M
derstand and give explanation" the ex-
PLANTATION exacted from him should fair
ly be construed to mean reasonable ex-