Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1909-09-17
For Sheriff.
WILLIAM EDWARD vIETT.
For Surveyor.
CHARLES j. MADDOX.
EX-GOVERNOR WAKEFIELD FOR
SUFFRAGE AMENDMENT.


SUFFRAGE AMENDMENT.
Ex-Governor Edwin Warfeld in an in
terview announces that he will heartily
support the suffrage amendment
When Executive of the State Ex-Governor
Warfield opposed what was known as the
Poe amendment. passed by the legislature
of 1904 and defeated overwhelmingly at
the election of 1905. His opposition to the
Poe amendment was regarded as potent
factor in its defeat, his influence being
strong with independent voters of both
parties.
Ex-Governor Warfield based his opposi-
ton to the Poe amendment of 1904 on the
ground that it invested the registration
officers with arbitrary powers which might
be used against white voters, Democrats
as well as Republicans. and that it also
Disseminated against foreign-born voters,
who he believed, should be protected in
the right of franchise. The present amend
ment in his view. is free from these OBJ
jections. Under it, he declares, no white
voter, native or foreign born, will lose his
vote, and the registration officers will have
no greater powers than they have under
present laws.
AS to the colored voter, he asserts, as
friend of the negro. that the passage of
the amendment would be the best thing
that could happen to him. He believes that
the property and educational qualification
would stimulate the colored people to ac-
quire education and property and would
promote thrift and intelligence among them,
raising them to higher plane, not only
as voters, but in all the essentials of good
citizenship.
The Ex-Governor does not fear that the
passage of the amendment would make
Maryland one-party State. He says he
has complete confidence in the independ-
ence. honesty and intelligence of the white
people of Maryland and is willing to trust
them with the political destinies of the
State. He points out that the present
amendment is virtually the amendment he
recommended to the Legislature in his last
message in 1908, embodying all the lead
ing features suggested in that message, and
that in supporting it he is absolutely con-
sistent his attitude being precisely what
it was when he accepted the Gubernatorial
nomination in 1903.
Mr.. Warfields announcement is expected
to exercise great influence with independ-
ent voters, with whom his record as Gov
ernor has made him very strong.
Mr.. Warfelds interview was given in
response to the following question:
Questionable people of Maryland are
anxious to learn your position, Governor.
on the pending suffrage amendment, know
ing that you were potent factor in the
defeat of the Poe amendment in 1906
Will you support or oppose the amend
ment?
Ex-Governor Warfield-l heartily sup
port the present amendment and shall vote
for it and use my influence for it. could
not do anything else without stultifying
myself and going back on my whole politi-
cal record, which have endeavored to
make absolutely consistent.
This amendment is substantial compli-
ance with what have always advocated.
1t is not too much to say that, in its essen
tial features, it is virtually my amendment.
That is to say. it is drawn along the pre-
else lines that suggested in my last mes
sage to the Legislature, in January. 1908.
In that message, referring at length to
the public demand for suffrage amend
ment "foT the elimination of the ignorant,
unrehecting and thriftless negro voter"
declared that this State should be gov
erned by those citizens who because of
their intelligence, their heredity and their
interest in the material welfare of the
Commonwealth, are best fitted to properly,
periodically and wisely exercise the high
duties of citizenship" added that the
proposed amendment should protect the
citizen who voted in 1869 and his descend
ants, because that was sacred privilege
then enjoyed by the white citizens of this
State" and that the foreign-born natural
lied citizen should be given similar protec-
ton. because he became a citizen upon
the express guarantee that if he met Ger
tain requirements he would be entitled to
citizenship"
suggested, also, that this amendment
should contain. as an alternative right to
vote. IAN educational qualification, such
as ability to make out the application for
registration in writing, in English, and to
write from dictation section of the Dec
laration of Independence. the Constitution
of the United States, or the Constitution of
the State of Maryland"
The property qualification in the present
amendment was also embodied in my rec
in the same message. that
another class of persons should be given