The Democratic advocate., 1909-04-09
PARTY LEADERS MEET
SUFFRAGE AMENDMENT DECLARED TO
Be THE DOMINANT ISSUE
The Outlook for Its PaSsagt Thought
to Be Bright

Representative Democrats from
baltimore city and the different coun-
Ties met at the Hotel Rennert We'd
nesday and discussed the suffrage
aInendment to the constitution, the
object OF which Is to eliminate the
negro vote.
II was declared at the conference
that the Democratic party organIza-
ton, IN both city and State, proposes
70 make the amendment the vital is-
sue and the paramount principle in
the coming campaign: that It intends
10 omit no effort TO secure its ratid-
cation by the people; that 1t con-
siders the party united behind this
measure, which II 10 contended, meets
al OF the objections urged to the
former amendment by Democrats. and
that the ticket will be subordinated
10 the amendment rather than the
amendment subordinAted 10 the ticket
There were present at the confer
ence several leading Democrats who
were strongly opposed 70 the former
amendment, such as Senator Rayner,
ex-Attorney General William Shepard
Bryan, Jr.. and Mr. Charles T. Crane,
who was one OF Ex-Governor War
fieids warmest political friends, and
one or two others.
To the proposition 60 make the
amendment the paramount issue there
was but one dissenting voice, and that
was Mr Bryan, who, while declaring
himself absolutely and without reser-
walton for the amendment and assert
Tug his intention 10 do all he can to
secure its passage, said that In his
opinion the ticket was more important
than the amendment
Senator Rayner said he considered
the ratification OF the amendment OF
far more Importance than his own
election. He declared the situation
was vastly different from that OF four
years ago and believed the amend
meni would be adopted. He said he
would stump the state In its favor
Senator Smith was emphatic In his
declaration that the amendment is
the vital thing and that II would be
poor policy on the part OF the Demo-
cratic party 70 even have the appear
ance or suggestion Of being luke
warm on this proposition. He said
that he did not believe any man not
IN favor OF the amendment and un-
willing 70 say SO should be nominated
lie said that his observation is that
there is tremendous change In opin-
Ion IN the last few years among Re-
publicans aa 10 the wisdom OF dis
franehislng the negro. He said
among Northern Republican Senators
there ia no disposition to interfere
with the Southern States In dealing
with this problem and that many Of
them realize that the disfranchise-
ment Of the negro IL the only guaran-
tee In these States for sare, sound and
good government
Mr.. Poe also spoke strongly against
Mr.. BFyan's idea Of not tying UP the
candidates 20 the amendment and said
II would mean a surrender OF the prin-
ciple upon which this Democratic
party had been elected, and to which
u had pledged It's faf1n to the people.
He said he believed the conference
should not adjourn before expressing
its emphatic dissent from this view.
Governor Crothers presided and his
was the last word. What he said
aroused applause.
This is not" he said, "a Demo-
cratic question. nor ls It political
proposition. II Is a question which
We are for, because we know II is
right and In which we know Is wrap
ped up the welfare OF this whole
community. ! am In favor OF this
amendment, not from prejudice, but
because Il will eliminate from the
politics OF this State a power that is
incapable OF graphing with the prob
lens OF government with which we
have to deal. We. as citizens, not as
Democrats. but as citizens. who are
trying 10 lift up the State and to have
here clean, good. progressive, honest
government, should boldly proclaim
our belief that this measure comes
above party success and above the tri-
umph OF candidates, no matter whom
they may be. ] am In favor of a bold,
an unequivocal stand on this propo-
sition. Let US 80 before the people
on this principle. Let us make our
light on II. and make II in the right
way, and / tell you we will not only
carry through the amendment, but
We VIII elect our ticket"
The following resolution was then
adopted;
Resolved. That II is the sense Of
this meeting that the adoption of the
constitutional amendment on the suf-
frage question Is the vital issue In
the coming campaign"
The State Central Committee will
be called TO meet at the Eutaw House
April 2S.
Benj. +. Grouse represented Carroll
county at the gathering.
Good Suggestion.