Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1909-09-24
For Sheriff..
For Surveyor.
CHARLES j. MADDOX.
SENA TOR RA YNER SPEAKS ON
THE AMENDMENT.

SENA TOR RAYNER SPEAKS ON
THE AMENDMENT.
The Democracy of Baltimore city held
grand rally at the Lyric on Thursday even
ing of last week. Mayor Mahool presided.
The speakers who addressed the large audi
ence were Senator Rayner. Gov Crothers
and Comptroller Herring. The following is
that portion of Senator Rayner's speech
devoted to the Suffrage Amendment, where
he vigorously presents an indisputable
argument in favor of the passage of the
amendment:
THE first issue--and might as well state
it concisely-is, whether the welfare of
Maryland, with its hopes. its prospects and
its prosperity, is to be further confided to
the party that represents in an Overwhelm
ing degree its character and intelligence,
or whether it is to be handed over practi
cally to the dominating influence at the
polls of an illiterate vote that, as a rule
has not the slightest interest in our insti-
buttons, and that forms the great bulwark
of strength of the Republican party, upon
which it absolutely depends for political
success and without which it would have
no standing whatever upon the soil of
Maryland.
Upon this subject the Suffrage Amend
ment is as fairly drawn a proposition as
could possibly be presented to our people
1t differs from the last amendment in the
most material respects. In this connection
can that it obviates entirely the objection
that a number of prominent Democrats
urged against the last amendment. 1t does
not in the remotest degree affect the right of
a single voter of foreign birth in this State,
or of his descendants; and charge that
every statement to the contrary is false.
This present amendment was framed by
some of the ablest members of the Mary
land bar, and they combined to distinctly
impress upon it the provision that the suf-
frages of the voters of foreign birth now
in this State, and of their descendants, for
ever should be perpetually safeguarded
and protected. The Republican politicians
cannot, and shall not, therefore, if | can
help it, delude and deceive the people upon
this point
The next particular in which it differs
essentially from the last amendment is
that it reposes no arbitrary discretion what
ever in the boards of registration and the
educational test is so plain that anyone
ought to be able to comply with it who is
not in the most degraded condition of illit-
eracy and ignorance.
1t is said that the sole purpose of the
amendment is to retain political control of
this State by our party. If any one will
visit our counties and observe their condi-
ton, they will come to the conclusion that
the people are animated by broader and
a higher purpose. In the northern counties
there is large and intelligent white Re-
publican vote, but in the most of the east
ern and southern counties, where this ques-
ton is burning issue, the Republican
party is largely composed of ignorant ne
groes, and the white people of these coun-
ties are determined. and rightly so, that
their public affairs and the administration
OF their offices shall not pass under negro
domination. The city of Baltimore owes
something to the counties. as well as the
counties owe something to the city, and
there must be mutual cooperation between
them in order to advance the interests of
both. 1t is my deliberate judgment that this
&c &. 80
political issue alone that it is an issue
that seriously affects the well-being and
progress of every portion of the State and
that Maryland should be governed and its
affairs administered by the character and
the honor and the intelligence of its best
citizenship. have always been in favor
of the principles that under lie this c,'fr-~"c
Amendment. and while the last en wa
Objectionable, this one gives EXPIRE sion
my views, and for years and year t4
advocated an educational test uror
lines therein indicated.
Another thought of importance upon tl.
theme. ! shall enlarge upon it as the cam
paign progresses. Why does the f. olbl
can party so stubbornly contend fos leer.
suffrage To accomplish moral put1lss
| deny it, and challenge them &c Oh,
proof To promote the commercial q bl
ness interests of the State? 1t is sbsl.l
To advance its progress in any way $50
know that this is not true. asser
the Republican Federal officeholders
the negro simply as voter; tina .
have never in this world done anythira
him from any moral. political. wor,i
religious standpoint; that their only
now is to secure his vote in order T.
themselves in power. and that all ihaf
clamor with reference to this subj
Volving great moral issue is a falls
tense, so far as they are concerned. bt
he Democratic party has done mo