Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-03-28
SURPRISING NEGRO VOTE
Notification of Fifteenth Amend
ment to Result in Reprisal.
LEADING DEMOCRATS OPPOSED
Senator Overman's Regrets-Senator
Clay Says the Proposed Action
Is Unconstitutional.

| With undisguised delight not to say a
spirit of thankfulness, the republican con-
gressional campaign managers view t..c
proposed action of the Maryland legisa-
ture attempting to nullify the fifteenth
amendment of the Constitution of the
United States and disfranchise the negro
voters of that state.
| The affair will come directly within the
purview of Congress for reprisal. and in
that reprisaI the republican campaign
managers see great opportunities for po-
litical capital. For it is assured that the
republican Congress will act swiftly and
vigorously. making the issue plain and
taking credit to the republican party for
the action.
The effect upon the negro vote, which
may WELD the balance of power in Ohio,
Indiana, Illinois, and the border states in
the coming congressional election. and
later in the presidential election. is not to
be underestimated, say the politicians
Reopening of Sectional Issue.
The republicans welcome as heaven-sent
grist to their mill possible reopening of
sectional questions in Congress. foreseeing
certain capitalization Of republican senti-
ment throughout the north and west
| where 1t may be waverng.
| Here is promised verification OF the Old
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that the democratic party may always
| be counted upon to do the wrong thing
at the right time If Maryland proceeds
az fntimated it's a Iife-saver for us and
the next national House of Representa-
tives."
| To be sure. these early republican hopes
may be nipped in the bud, as tbs the
season for unexpected frosts. by the ma
tional democratic leaders putting qule-
tus on the Maryland proponents OF this
radical action. Democrats in Congress are
not blind to the possible results to the
party and some healthy advice Is likely to
be given the Maryland radicals nefore
long.
The statement published in Sundays
Star of Chairman Crumpacker of the
eensus cemm't,ee. that s;sH e HgIe sMsr Msrva
land in the national House OF Repre-
sentatiyes II the constitutional amend.
ment was pushed, attracted widespread
attention.
/ Result Of Discussion.
| Democrats realize that this action would
precipitate a violent discussion of sec
tional questions in Congress. While 1t
| that Maryland might be willing to give
| up one member of the House in order
| to eliminate the negro from state politics,
| the interests OF the national party are at
stake. and must be taken into consid-
somS leading democrats in Congress
/ are outspoken against the proposed ac-
tion of the Maryland legislature.
Senator 0verman Sorry.
Senator Overman of North Carolina,
member of the Senate judiciary commit
| tee. said:
Il am very sorry that the question of
/ of he
has been brought up in this way by the
1 caucus at Annapolis, especially at this
time. l am not in favor of the Maryland
idea at all, and do not think 1t would
| hold in any court
'There may be doubt among many law
| yers as to the validity of the adoption
| OF the fourteenth and fifteenth amend
ments but we have lived under them for
! forty years now, and practically the en-
tire south has acquiesced in them.
Maryland cannot claim that she is not
| bound to observe these amendments. and
do not think the forcing of the issue
| as to their validity at this time Will
| lead to any practical results or result in
any good for the cause of democracy"
Unconstitutional, Says Clay.
Senator Clay of Georgia said
'.In my judgment, the plan proposed
| in MARYLAND, as understand it. is clearly
unconstitutional and would be held so in
| the courts.
"The proposal to exclude negroes from
| registr alton on account of their color ana
| to limit tho exercise of the elective fran
chise to white men would be clearly vso-
1 lative of the fifteenth amendment. That
amendment is supplementary to the four
! teenth amendment and applies to state
| elections az we'll as to national and con-
| gressional elections. The fourteenth
/ amendment distinctly enumerates the
executive and judicial officers of states in
| its reference to the right of citizenship.
| The fourteenth and fifteenth amendments
and the proposition put forward in Mary
/ land would be in violation OF the Con-
! stitution.
"It makes no difference whether the
state ratified or rejected the federal
| amendments. They binding upon
every state until they are upset by the
Supreme Court of the United States, and
don't think that time is coming.
Northern Democratic View.
The views Of northern democrats in
| Congress- are expressed by Senator Cham
beriain of Oregon. Referring to the pro-
posed action Of the legislature, he said:
"It amounts to nothing less than an
undertaking to nulify the Constitution of
the United States. for the fourteenth and
/ dfteenth amendments. which have been
/ a sco,Iiesced in for forty years, are just
| al valid as any other part OF the Con-
1 stitution, and just as binding on Mary
| land as they are upon any other states,
the only question respecting these amend
ments relating to the validity or their
| adoption. This must be assumed to be
| valid until they are declared otner~ise
| by the Supreme Court, and until tney are
oyerridden by that court MARYLAND ls
bound Just els Loyalty TO observe theH 90
| any other state"
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