The Washington herald., 1909-01-26
Cardinal Gibbons on Disfranchisemsnt

Maryland has a frst-class political sen
sation in the declaration Of Cardinal Gib-
bons against the Democratic scheme for
the disfranchsement OF that States negro
voters. The suffrage amendment 10 the
state constitution viii not be voted on
until next laIl. bur both parties have
been getting in readiness for a campaign
OF education for and against the meas
ure. NIr. Taft. il may Re recalled. was
Induced to write a letter showing tnat
his nominal acquiescence in political con
dst!ons farther South did not cover the
case Of Maryland. where there Is no
question Of negro domination outside Two
or three counties. Now comes Cardinal
Gibbons with a sweeping condemnation
Of negro disfranchisement IN Maryland.
giving the Republicans ground for hope
that the suffrage amendment viii share
yhe fate Of the Poe disfranchisement
scheme of four years ago. which was
also dfsapproved by the cardinal Another
factor favorable 10 opponents Of dis
frsnchisement Is the attitude OF the Bal
timore sun. which. while giving ample
space to Democratic reasons for adopt
ing The amendment has not said a single
word edItoriaIIy IN favor Of It. Il is evi-
dent that a strong presentation Of the
case for disfr5nchisement VIII have 10
be made 10 convince independent voters
# its expediency or necessity.
Cardinal Gibbons squarely afirms the
constitutional right Of the negroes TO
vote. and SAYS the suffrage amendment
IS both impoliJic and unjust Unjust. be-
cause It is designed 70 deprive a certain
class OF our feuow-rneu OF the rights
duly conferred upon them by the highest
law OF the land: impolitic. because, in my
opinion, It must ultimately injure the
political organization which favors Il BY
stirring up bad blood and creating dis
SensiOn within the ranks OF that party
To q disfranchising amendment operating
with equal effect upon all classes and
aces Of men he would offer no objection.
but he does not believe the negro should
ne disfranehised solely on the ground Of
lis color" OF the general fitness Of the
negro for citizenship. the cardinal ex-
pressed the opinion that the negroes Of
Maryland are vastly superior 20 their
brothers in the extreme Southland in the
matter Of intelligence and education. and
while they NAV. perhaps. fan short Of all
The requisites TO good citizenship. they
Rossess many good traits which time can
but improve under proper treatment"
The cardinal admitted there was good
Eound for belief in the serious corrup-
Ion OF the Maryland electorate. both
white and black. He predicted. however.
that rigorous enforcement Of the cor
-Upt practices act recently passed by. the
Maryland legislature would stamp out
his undoubted- menace 10 the purity Of
our State and municipal governments 9"
Apply the law with impartiality TO the
venal voters OF both races and the de-
mand for disfranchisement would lose its
force As to the negro. the cardinal Of
fered this advice:
II he IS indeed ignorant. educate hin; If he be
corrupt and venal punish Inn for his oo-r1ps prae
tees and his veuality: but above all things let rs
not condemn the righteous for the sins q the u
righteous LEI rs not be guilty of the great erize
Of wholesale violation Of the written laws Of our
couHtTy IN order 10 punish individuals who break
those laws IN isolated instances"
The registered negro vote in Maryland
is approximately 5000 out OF q total
registration OF 2S5000. During recent
years Maryland has become close State
politically, the balance OF power being
held by a considerable body OF independ-
ent voters whose Influence would be re-
duced 10 nuIlity by disfranchisement
With the negro vote eliminated, the State
would be no longer debatable ground.