The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1905-09-09
The Power of Registrars.

be no appeal from the decisions OF registration
officers, the other that too much power would
be lodged in the discretion of registrars
We quoted from the election and reglstra-
tion law to show that it contained ample pro-
vision for appeal, even to the Court OF APP
peals. The right of appeal has been pro-
vision of every registration law enacted IN this
State. except the Republican law Of 1865,
and will continue to be. No political
party would strike it out, or omit 1t IN any
new law that might be enacted. No fair man
would desire its repeal or omission.
The allegation that under the proposed fran
chise amendment too much power would be
lodged with registrars of voters, was considered.
We pointed out that registrars of voters were
now Judges of the qualifications of voters.
Before registration was required as a pre-
requisite TO possessing the right to vote, the
privilege of voting was decided by the judges
of election on election day, and usually with
excited minds in the midst of partisan zeal.
The person whose right to vote was challenged
was subjected TO considerable trouble to prove
his age. or his residence in the election dis
trict. or time Of domicle in the State, county
or district. Many men will recollect that
where a man had his clothes washed was a
determining factor in fixing place OF resi-
dence. Hot disputes arose and occasionally
personal encounters resulted over the question
of a mans right to vote. Under that system
of voting men we're sometimes unJustly de-
prived of their votes and sometimes persons
not entitled to cast ballot were allowed TO
do so. And there was much injustice and
fraud resulting when there was property
qualification for voters. The same purse or
the same horse served to qualify number Of
voters
To avoid contention at the polls, with con
segment delay in voting, and to avoid having
a mans right to vote decided amid partisan
excitement, law requiring voters to be reg
istered was enacted. man qualifications TO
vote were determined by a single registrar Of
voters, and partisan Of the party in power.
Still, the days of registration were several
weeks prior to the excitement Of election day,
in times of calmer Judgment. This was a vast
improvement upon the former system. We
now have bipartisan boards Of registry, and
election precincts are so sab divided that 70
tiers are generally known to the registration
officers The bipartisan system gives each OF
the great political parties a representative,
and there is little opportunity for anialrness,
even if registrars were disposed to be unfair
The power of the Judges of election 10 de-
termine ones right TO vote, before regiS'ra-
ton law was enacted. was absolute aud final
There was no appeal.
Under the present registration and election
law there are two registrars Of opposite polli-
ieal utilization, aud the right Of appeal is
preserved.
Should the amendment be passed there will
be an entire new registration next year. Ia
order to be registered white men will have
to show they are twenty.one years OF age,
have lived in the State one year and IN
county or legislative district of Baltimore City
six months If man voted in Maryland or
in any other State ia 1869, or prior, he will
have to swear 10 that fact in addition TO
answering questions as to age and residence.
Ii man is y son or grandson OF a voter 10
1869, or prior, he can be registered by swear
ing to the fact, in addition TO possessing the
Constitutional requirements Of age and resi-
dence.
The colored man will be required 10 read
section OF the Constitution of Maryland aud
give reasonable explanation Of its meaning,
or give such an explanation when read TO him.
White men who were not voters in Mary
land in 1869, or in some other State OF the
Union, or who are not descendants 0! persons
who were voters in that year or before, will
also have to be able 10 read aud reasonably
explain section Of the Constitution, or give
such explanation when read to them. THIS
may bar out some foreigners who have settled
in Maryland in recent years and few native
white men. But is this a hardship?
Public schools have been open for over
forty years. Every native has had an oppor
tunity to secure fair education free Of cost.
Any man who has not had ambition enough
to learn to read and understand what he
reads, so as to be able to discharge the
duties of citizenship as well as for his own
benefit, has only himself TO blame if he can
not register and vote.
The foreigner who has come TO this country
only TO better his physical condition, and not
to learn our language, laws and system of
government, is better fitted to live in a mon
archy than in this free Republic OF soyeregus.
The object in framing the franchise amend
ment was to retain the voting privilege TO as
many white people as possible and to prevent
as many negroes as possible frou exercising
the voting privilege. To so frame the amend
ment it was necessary to avoid conflict with
the Federal Constitution, and the best posi-
BILE to do has been done to disfranchise the
negro and allow the white man to vote.
After the new registration of 1906 there is
not likely to be another one for ten years,
perhaps longer. And after 1906 the educa
tional qualification will apply to all persons
applying for registration.
No feasible plan has yet been devised 10
determine the qualifications Of persons TO reg
lister except to make the registrars the judges.
1t is done everywhere where there are regis
tration laws Where educational and proper
ty qualifications are imposed, as in some Of
the New England States, the registrars deter
mine the matter.
The chief objection to the amendment by
those who are honestly opposed TO it. IS the
power given to registrars to determine whether
the explanation of the meaning OF a section Of
the Constitution is sufficiently reasonable to
entitle an applicant for registration to have
his name entered as a qualified voter. One
may be able to read and not understand. Ifhe
cannot understand, what degree of intelligence
is demonstrated by his ability to read There
can be no educational test without the expla
nation clause.
Suppose the proposed amendment required
an applicant for registration to be able only to
read a section of the Constitution. If there
were a disposition to practice injustice could
not the applicant be turned aside for mis-
pronouncing words? If the qualification in
cluded writing, could he not be turned aside
because the writing was adjudged illegible?
Suppose a property qualification were i'm