Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1909-04-16
UNITED FOR AMENDMENT.


gathered Wednesday night of last week al
the Hotel Rennert, Baltimore, in response
to an invitation from Chairman Murray
Vandiver, of the State Central Committee
and discussed the suffrage amendment t.
the constitution, which is designed to elm
mate the negro vote.
II was declared at the conference that
the Democratic party organization. IN Dotn
city and State, propose to make the amend
ment the vital issue and the paramount
principle in the coming campaign; that II
intends to omit no effort to secure its rati-
fication by the people; that it considers
the party united behind this measure, which
it is commended, meets all of the objections
urged to the former amendment by Demo-
Gratis. and that the ticket will be subordi-
mated to the amendment rather than the
amendment subordinated to the ticket.
There were present at the conference
several leading Democrats who were strong
ly opposed to the former amendment. such
as Senator Rayner, ex-Attorney-General
William Shepard Bryan, Jr., and Mr.. Chas.
T. Crane who was one of Ex-Governor
Warfield's warmest political friends, and
one or two others.
CANDIDATES FIRST, SAYS Mr.. BRYAN.
There was but one dissenting voice to
the resolution offered by Col Buchanan
Schley, declaring it the sense of the con-
ference that the amendment should be the
vital issue of the campaign, and that was
that of Mr.. Bryan, who did not vote at all,
he having declared himself absolutely and
without reservation for the amendment and
asserting his intention to do all he can to
secure its passage, but differing from the
others as to the wisest course to pursue in
oh no
that the ticket is more important than the
amendment, and adding that he is more
interested in the success of Democrats like
Judges Conway W. Sans and Charles w.
Heuisler, Senator Rayner and Max Ways
than in the amendment, much as he de-
sires to see that measure adopted.
Mr.. RAYNER PREFERS AMENDMENT.
1t was this remark that led Senator Ray
ner to insist that he thought the ratifica-
ton of the amendment more important
than his own election and brought out a
unanimous protest from nearly everyone
else present, it being commended that not
to make the amendment the paramount
issue would not only be acting in bad faith
with the Democratic platform, but would,
in addition, mean the defeat of the amend
ment as well as imperil the success of the
ticket
Mr.. Bryan could not see it that way,
but eood-naturedly allowed that the Chris
tan religion permitted persons to differ on
matters of this sort, and declined to vote
on the resolution.
Senator Smith was emphatic in his dec
laration that the amendment is the vital
thing and that il would be poor policy on
the part of the Democratic party to even
have the appearance or suggestion of
being lukewarm on this proposition, and an
overwhelming majority of those present
agreed with him.
1t was urged further by speakers that
the best way to increase the Democratic
majority for the candidates is to make the
amendment the real issue. convince the
Republicans that it is intended to pass it
for then the Republicans. il is asserted, are
forced to concentrate their negro vote
against the amendment and are unable to
pay the attention they otherwise would to
the candidates. These and many other
arguments were made and reports of the
situation from nearly every county were
received.
Gov CRoTHERs For BOLD STAND.
Governor Crothers presided and his was
the last word. What he said aroused APP
plause.
This is not he said, "a Democratic
question, nor is il political proposition.
1t is a question which we are for, because
we know it is right, and in which we know
is wrapped up the welfare of this whole
community. ! am in favor of this amend
ment, not from prejudice, but because it
will eliminate from the politics of this
State power that is incapable of crap
ping with problems of government with
4. III. 10. Az, ..ks
not as Democrats, but as citizens. who are
trying to lift up the State and to have here
clean, good. progressive, honest govern
ment should boldly proclaim our belief
that this measure comes above party sue
cess and above the triumph of candidates,
no matter whom they may be. | am in
favor of a bold, an unequivOcal stand on
this proposition. Let us 60 before the peo-
pie on this principle. Let us make our
fight on it, and make it in the right way,
and tell you we will not only carry through
the amendment, but we will elect our
ticket"
CALL OF THE COUNTIES.
A significant part of the conference was
the calling upon the various county and
city representatives to tell of the situation
in their localities and to give their ideas of
the real conditions.
The first county called by the Governor
was Wicomico, and State Senator Jesse d.
Price and ex-State Senator Marion v.
Brewington responded Both said that the
amendment in their county is stronger
than the Poe amendment, and expressed
their belief that the present measure can
be carried.
State Senator A, P. German, of Howard,
said that Howard would give twice as much
majority for the amendment this time as
il did for the Poe amendment, and that he
knew of no Democrat there yet who was
against it.
Mr.. Joshua w. Miles said that in Somer-
set there are 1900 negro voters, and that
if all Of them voted it would be impossible
to carry the county for the amendment or
to elect any Democrats, but he did not think
all of them would be able to vote and he
believed there was better chance for this
amendment in Somerset than the last.
Mr.. W. Lee Carey. speaking for Worces-
ter. said that for the last amendment it
had given 440 majority. being the second
highest county in the State, and that this
time he was convinced it would give more.
Governor CrOthers responded for Cecil,
and said u am confident that conditions
in Cecil county are infinitely better for this
amendment than the last one. Ii has not
been successfully attacked and do not
think it can be. think the county will
be carried for this amendment. II did not
90 for the last one.
Ex-State Senator Thomas II. Robinson,
of Hartford, said that the outlook in that
county is good, although there had not as
yet been much interest displayed by either
side.
Mr.. TOWNSEND AND Mr.. TALBOT.
When Baltimore county was called Mr..
Walter r. Townsend was asked to speak.
He said his observation was that the pre-
sent amendment is no stronger with the
foreign element in the county than the
previous one He said If it is to be carried
this element must be converted. and said
that for the last amendment only three pre-
cincts in the county had been carried. one
of these being his own.