Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1909-04-08

any abuse In its administration, and
was wanting In definite provisions
respecting the character and quantity
Of proof required 10 establish the
right Of citizens 20 register.
These objections together. POSSIBLY
with one or two others Of subsidiary
importance. should be met in any
draft Of proposed amendment which
the General Assembly may submit 70
the people in conformance with tho
pledge Of the Democratic party on
the subject and in obedience 10 the
mandate Of the people delivered un-
equivocally in the State elections of
1903 and 1907.
Il 10 for rs now TO bow to the peo-
pies will upon this subject and 10
obey their sovereign bidding. Let
US execute unfiinchingly the purpose
OF the Democratic pledge by all law
full and constitutional means TO main
tain the political supremacy Of the
white race in Maryland. Let us not
fail or falter with this pledge. Let
Il be carried firmly and tearles sly In
to effect, so that our State may be
rid Of the negro voter as q political
factor and an element OF power with
In our borders. To accomplish this
10 will, Of course, be necessary for
three ffths OF the members OF each
branch Of the General Assembly TO
agree upon an amendment 10 the
State Constitution and 10 submit it
to the people, and il il my confident
belief that III amendment Ia framed
a. proposed In accordance with the
terms OF our pledge as above indicat-
ed ii will be triumphantly approved
by an overwhelming majority Of our
people ct the polls.
One Of the gratifying results Of the
adoption OF such Q constitutional
amendment assuring 10 q certainty
Of an ensuing change In the election
laws Of the State by which We would
dispense with features which they
now contain solely for the purpose
Of restricting. as far as 10 now feasible
evils of the large body Of illiterate
and unreflecting negro voters in
Maryland.
THAT In what said than and that's
what say now-every word OF ID.
Does that relieve the doubt about
where stand7
Now as TO the amendment itself.
/ may as we'll be frank-the purpose
of the measure ID 10 lessen the un-
thinking and worthless negro vote
In Maryland. Upon this question
within the last year or so there has
been o wonderful change OF opinion.
Men who blinded themselves 10 the
facts before have their eyes opened.
They are seeing the facts as they
exist; they are realizing the truth as
IL is.
MEN WHO DREW TIE Law.
THE amend ment was drawn by
q committee Of the most prominent
and distinguished lawyers in the
State. Many Of them were men who
have not affiliated with nor been al
lied with the organization OF the
Democratic party and who have al
ways maintained an attitude Of in
dependence. Some OF them were
opposed to the former amendment
Ii Is difficult thing TO believe thai
the late Senator Whyte, Senator
Isidor Rayner. ex-Attorney Genera
William s. Bryan, Mr.. William L
Marbury. Major Randolph Bartor
and the other men on this commit
tee of equal standing would devise
o measure calculated TO injure theiI
State.
these men are OF the type that
has always been animated by q de-
sire to serve the State. to better its
conditions and uphold It's standing
and reputation. That they would
deliberately devise an instrument
to injure it is inconceivable. and
l do not think the clamor OF the op.
position will persuade the people
that they would.
To UPLIFT Micro.
Under this amendment some ne
groes will be able 10 vote those
who are educated and intelligent.
The others will not be able to vote.
The adoption Of the amendment,
however. would not relieve the
State OF the obligation OF treating
the negro fairly; Of seeing that he ia
judged impartially before the law
and that his rights are safeguard
ed and protected. IL will not
lessen the duty of the State
TO maintain for him the schools which
are now maintained and TO aid him
10 every way Ii Can TO better his
| condition and hocorua a uood ci&;zan