Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1905-05-05

with the Southern Confederacy or had
ever given any aid or comfort to the
cause of secession.
This destruction of the pre-existing
right TO vote under the Constitution Of
1851 was accomplished by a partisan
Board Of Registration oficers, whose
decision was declared 10 be absolutely
final and conclusive without appeal
Surely, II the Acknowledgement OF
two-thirds OF the cultured and infu-
ontial white voters OF the State was
then adjudged TO be wise and expsdisnt
in order to save the government OF the
state from the possibility of falling
Into the hands OF the Southern sym
pathizers OF that day, the present effort
TO save our elective franchise from the
deplorable evils of the lowest grade of
ignorant negro suffrage ought not to
be denounced as pernicious, or resisted
as unjust or injurious.
On the contrary, It ought to appeal
with persuasive and controlling force
to all Of our people who. without dis
dnotion of party. believe in the su-
premaey OF the white race, and who
feel that some degree OF intelligence
should be eNacted as the test OF the
right to vote.
Objection TO the Amendment
There only now remains for consid-
Grafton the objection which has been
urged to the amendment, viz, that 1t
gives too much power to our Registra-
ton of1cers.
But this is an entire mistake, as an
examination Of our Election Law will
plainly show.
We md In every election precinct q
bipartisan board of registration Off
GERS. composed equally Of Democrats
and Republicans. carefully selected by
the Supervisors Of Elections, sworn to
do their duty fairly and impartiAlly
and subject 10 heavy penalties for its
violation. with a right of appeal from
their decision in every case to the
Circuit Court for their respective coun-
ties, or to some judge Of the Supreme
Bench OF Baltimore city. with . fur
Their right Of appeal In every case to
the Court OF Appeals.
In full view of these most abundant
safeguards against error, injustice and
injury, We are called on to meet an ar
gument that these registration officers
will wickedly. corruptly or ignorantly
register illijerate foreigners or negroes
who ought not TO be registered, or re
ftlaa m raoiStar lttarata Fnraton.-. -.
negroes who ought to be registered
and because OF the possibility Of such
misconduct we must continue to bear
political evils which an overwhelming
majority of our people have declared
TO be intolerable'
There would not be any force In the
argument now being considered. even II
there were no right of appeal from the
registration officers, for the obvious
reason that the equal political division
Of the registration officers is the am
plest protection against error and In
justice. and that consequently partisan
injustice is practically next to impos-
sible. But when We bear In mind that
there is the fullest. speediest right Of
appeal, even to our highest Court the
argument needs only TO be stated to be
rejected
In truth. when analysed, 1t means
that our election officials cannot be
trusted with duties powers and respon-
sibilities. even when they act subject
10 the absolute supervision and control
OF our Court OF Appeals, and applies
with equal force to the performance by
the registration officers OF their other
functions In the work Of registration
When, therefore we realize that this
IL the only objection that is seriously
urged TO influence the views and votes
OF our people who wish preservation
land protection against the evils Of 9
debased and ignorant negro suffrage
10 II too much to hope and believe tina,
the Amendment presented to them for
the purpose OF securing to them this
preservation and protection will grow
in favor the more carefully il is con-
adhered. and in November next will be
made . vital force in the Constitution
Of Maryland by q decisive popular rati-
fcation' MURRAY VANDIVER,
Chairman of Democratic State
Central Committee.
March ~ IQOH