The daily banner. (Cambridge, Md.) 1897-2008, 1910-04-04
NEGRO. 5|LENCED
IN MARYLAND
OistTanchise $4,000 From State
and Munici pal Elections.
lOOpHOLE FOR BUT FEW

Still Open.
| Annapolis. Nd, April 4.-The Mary
land legislature has disfranchised over
$4,000 negroes 80 far as state and
| municipal elections are concerned, by
the passage of the bills of Delegate
w. Mitchell Digges, of Charles coun-
| ty. 1t is the most sweeping method
Of disfranchisement that has ever been
| attempted in any state. and even lead
| Ing statesmen Of the, far southern
states have expressed doHbt as to its
| constitutionality. But the scheme is
so ingeniously worked out that no real
test can be made in the courts until
| after the next state election.
| The bills were passed by both the
| houses and will be sent to the gov
srnor.
| There are four bills in all. The first
rspeals the existing registration laws:
| the second enaets new registration
| measure providing that none but white
uen shall be registered in the future
| as voters; the third carries the con-
| stitutional amendment designed to re-
| strict registration for all time to the
| white persons of the state. as 1t pro-
hihits amy future legislature from ex,
| tending the registration privilege to
| negroes. except those owning $500
worth of property.
White Vote on Amendment.
This amendment will be voted upon
| IN the fall of 1911 by white men only
A provision has been inserted which
will permit the white voters. If they
so desire to extend the privilege Of
! registration and the; ballot box to ne
groes owning and paying taxes on $500
worth of property. 1t was thought best
| to insert this provision, as the Demo
cratic leaders desire to- shut out only
the thriftless and ignorant negroes
and are willing to admit to the ballot
box those who have sufficient thrift to
accumulate $500 worth Of property.
This property qualification is
thought preferable to an educational
qualification. because it is believed
that the negro who has accumulated
property will prove better worthy of
Es.he-frsrehiset thar the <edrcstsa negro
who may be weighted with all the
shiftlessness of his race.
The fourth bill extends the terms of
the mayor and other municipal officers
of Baltimore city SO that their success
sors will be chosen at the November
state election, spring elections being
abolished The bills are based upon
the assumption that the Fifteenth
amendment is void and it is declared
in the preamble that the exercise OF
the elective franchise by the negro is
not consistent with his own best in
terests as the Welfare Of the white
race.
The present registration books are
to be used for the congressional elec
tions this year, and the right of the
negro to vote at congressional cleo
tions is to remain nndisturbed. The
first registration will take place fol
the general election next year, when
governor and legislature and nearly all
state officers are to he elected. The
method and machinery for the regis
tration of voters will remain practi
cally unchanged. as under existing
laws
Federal Elections Still Open.
The negro is not to be absolutely
disfranchised. as he still will vote at
federal elections--fhat is. for con
gressman For use at elections OF con
sressmen distinct set of registration
books will be prepared in 1912, and
mon these hooks the names OF all per.
sons entitled to vote for congressman
will be entered II any state officer Is
to be elected at the election for con
eressmen a distinct ballot must be
used. and only those persons qualified
to vote at state elections will De per
| mttted to vote for them. This VIII
| happen at the presidential election In
| 1912. when both congressman ana
| electors will be elected. Presidential
| electors are state officials and wouio
| be voted on the state ballot
| The present right OF appeal from
the decision of officers OF registration
| Is retained 1t is provided. however,
that a person appealing to a couF'
| from an officer of registration Tor reg
| tstration under the act shall be deem
ed to have based his right to register
upon the act, and shall be estopped fc
set up any claim or defense on ans
i other ground. This is Intended 10 pre-
vent any appeal to the state courts fol
claim to register under the Iedera
constitution or laws of congress
The bills also provide that the rlsh
to- register shah be limited to White
male persons. and il any registrar
shall refuse to enforse the provisions
of this section. such refusal shall ips'
facto work vacation OF his once
the provision of the act restricting TN
suffrage to whites shall fail or De IN
capable Of taking effect. then ever
part Of the act shall be void