Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1910-04-09
DISTINGUISHING
LAW PASSED
Legislature Bars $4,000 From
Participation In State And
Municipal Elections.

More than as, 900 negroes in Maryland
will be disfranchised so far as State and
municipal elections are concerned by the
passage in the Legislature Of the bills
of Delegate W. Mitchell Digges, Of
Charles County.
There are four bills in all. The first
repeats the existing registration laws
the second enacts new registration
measure providing that none but white
men shall be registered in the future as
voters the third carries the constitu-
tional amendment designed to restrict
registration for all time to the white
persons of the State. as it prohibits any
future Legislature from extending the
registration privilege to negroes, ex-
cept those owning $500 worth of prop
erty.
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 de-
sire. to extend the privilege Of registra-
ton and the ballot-box to negroes own
ing and paying taxes on $500 worth of
property. 1t was thought best to insert
this provision as the Democratic leaders
desire to shut out only the thriftless and
ignorant negroes and are willing to adj
nit to the ballot-box those who have
sufficient thrift to accumulate $500
worth of property.
This property qualification is thought
preferable to an educational qualifica-
ton, because it is believed that the
negro who has accumulated property
will prove better worthy Of the fran
chise than the educated 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 Amend
ment is void, and il is declared in the
preamble that the exercise of the cleo
tive franchise by the negro is not con-
sistent with his own best interests or
the welfare of the white race.
The present registration books are to
be used for the Congressional elections
this year and the right of the negro to
vote at Congressional elections is to re-
main undisturbed. The first registration
will take place for the general election
next year, when a Governor and Legis-
lature and nearly all State officers are
to be elected The method and machinery
for the registration of voters will re-
main practically unchanged, as under
existing laws.
The negro is not to be absolutely dis
franchised, as he still will vote at Fed
eral elections that is, for Congressman.
For use at elections Of Congressman a
distinct set of registration books will
be prepared in 1912, and upon these
books the names Of all persons entitled
to vote for Congressman will be entered.
If any State officer is to be elected at
the election for Congressman distinct
ballot must be used, and only those per-
sons qualified to vote at State elections
will be permitted to vote for them. This
will happen at the Presidential election
in 1912. when both Congressman and
electors will be elected. Presidential
electors are State officials and would
be voted on the State ballot.
The present right Of appeal from the
decision of officers OF registration is re-
tanned. 1t is provided, however, that
person appealing 10 Court from an
officer of registration for registration
under the act shall be deemed to have
based his right to register upon the
act, and shall be estopped TO set up any
claim or defense on any other ground.
This is intended to prevent any appeal
to the State Courts for claim to register
under the Federal Constitution or laws
of Congress.
The bills also provide that the right
to register shall be limited to white
male persons. and il any registrar shall
refuse TO enforce the provisions OF this
section. such refusal shall ipso facto
work vacation of his Office. IL the
provision of the act restricting the sut-
frage to whites shall fail or be incapable
of taking effect, then every part Of the
act shall be void
The amendment provides that all State
and municipal elections shall be con-
Quoted by the Australian ballot system,
that the Legislature shall provide uni
form ballot for the whole State with
the political party of each candidate
after his name and for equal represen-
tation of the minority party among
judges and clerks of election. These
provisions cannot be abolished except
by vote Of four-iif,hs Of each House.
This. of course. does away with the
trick" ballots resorted TO in State and
county elections in recent years IN the
eastern and southern counties, by which
illiterate negroes were dlsfranchised
through their inability to mark the COM
plicated ballots correctly.
The General Assembly is forbidden TO
nose ans, lou, for the registration of