Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-10-25
WILL CUT OFF MANY VOTERS
KINKS IN MARYLAND FRAN
CHIsE AMENDMENT.
Whites, as Well as Colored, May Be
DISTINGUISHED Under Educational
and Naturalization Clauses.

AS election day. November 2. draws
near the campaign in the neighboring
counties of Maryland is being watched
with increasing interest by the many
persons who are engaged in business in
Washington or who occupy positions in
the government service, but whose homes
are located in the nearby towns and vii
lagos Of Maryland.
The only issue Of the campaign this year
is the proposed amendment to the state
constitution, by means Of which it is in
tended to disfranchise the colored voter.
1t seems, however, that the colored man
Is not to be alone in the loss of citizen
ship. as the argument Is made that all
persons who have gone into the state of
Maryland from the District of Columbia,
as we'll as descendants of all foreign
born citizens who were unable to vote in
1862 will be deprived of the right of fran
chise along with the negro. The follow
ing statement Of the situation made by
Oliver Metzerott, who as a member of the
last Maryland house of delegates bitterly
opposed the passage of the act, and who
is this year the republican candidate for
the Maryland state senate in Prince
George county, should prove of interest to
the residents of Washington's suburbs:
Much has been said lately by our dem
ocratic friends about the harmlessness of
their proposed amendment to the state
constitution. and they assure us with
great volubility that the amendment will
bar no person from the right Of fran
chise, save the colored man, whom they
frankly say they wish to cut off for all
time.
Cuts OFF Many Citizens.
Amy man who will take the trouble
to read the whole of the proposed amend
60
First, that 1t cuts off all foreign-born
persons not naturalized at the time of
the passage of the act Of 1908. Second,
that all children. grandchildren and great
grandchildren-even though born in this
country-of foreign-born parents, not nat
uralized prior to 1863. are barred along
with their parents. Third. that all persons
coming from the District of Columbia or
any territory of the United States are
barred, because the amendment says that
only men having the right to vote in
other states shall have the right to vote
In Maryland. The act does not mention
the District of Columbia or the terri
have invariably held that the VOID states
is not broad enough to include the Dis
trict of Columbia and the other terri
tories.
Severe Educational Test.
"As to the educational test, it is so Sc
we're that Mr.. Stanford Of Somerset
county, a we'll known lawyer and the
member Of the house Of delegates who
introduced and fathered this amendment
in that body, was unable to pass the test
after a trial in public and he frankly ad-
United 1t. Furthermore the decision on
the question of whether voter has
passed this test or not, Is left to the two
registration officers at the polling place.
although 1t would be practically impos-
sible to find two registration officers who
could themselves meet the requirements
Of this test II they were put to it.
1.-The passage Of this amendment would
not benefit any party in Maryland. 1t
would not place the entire power of the
state in the hands of one party, but In
the hands Of one group of bosses, than
whom there is no worse anywhere in this
country. and from whom God protect the
taxpayers Of this state"