Evening capital and Maryland gazette. (Annapolis, Md.) 1910-1922, 1917-10-27
CAMP MEADE SOLDIERS
WILL NOT VOTE
General Kuhn's Aid Informs Gov
ernOr None Will Be Granted
Special Leave.
REPUBLICANS FEEL RELIEVED
Feared Negroes Would Be Held In
Camp And Thus JeOpardize
Several Counties.

Politics had its knockout blow yes
terday when military officials of the
government gave out that Maryland
soldiers at Camp Meade, notwith-
standing reports to the contrary, will
not be permitted to return to their
homes to vote on election day unless
the Federal authorities change their
minds between now and that time
his seems hardly probable.
This was the information given
Governor Harrington Thursday by the
aide to General Kuhn, commander of
the camp. The Governor said he in
formed General Kuhn's aide that the
people of the State are very anxious
for the men at the camp to be permit
ted to vote. but the aide said the war
authorities feel it is more important
to keep them where they are.
G. o. p. Feels Relieved.
No doubt the information will re-
lieve the minds of Chairman Galen L.
TAFT and other Republican leaders
who have been very much worried be-
cause the first report was that all the
Wal ie1ii0CAS at Tic NcALp NOulQ NC
given leave of absence on election
day with the exception of those mus
tered into service within the 10 days
preceding the election.
This To-day exception would catch
all the negroes, who will begin to ar
rive at the camp in day or two, and
Mr. TAFT had visions of considerable
reduction in the Republican vote in
great many of the counties. He has
been trying to get that part of the al
legged ruling upset.
Protested To Senator Smith.
Only recently Mr.. TAFT sent a let
ter to Senator John Walter Smith
stating that such a rule would amount
to a virtual discrimination against the
Republicans and asking him, in the
interest of fair play, to have the rul-
ing modified. He previously had ask
ed Senator France and Congressman
Zihlman and Mudd to try to have the
ruling modified and also had sent
direction petition to Secretary of War
Baker asking his help.
Would Affect Several Counties.
Mr.. TAFT has been especially wor-
ried over the possible results in Tai
bot, Dorchester, Worcester, st. Mary's,
Charles and other counties wherein
the negro population is rather large
and wherein also the political lines
are closely drawn.
About 60 negroes are to be sent to
the camp from ST Mary's County
within the next few days. The coun-
.ty is exceedingly close as between the
Democrats and the Republicans and it
is altogether possible that 60 votes
taken off the Republicans down there
would change the result.
Just what arrangement viii be
made to get the soldiers home on
election day, in the event the War De-
partment does change its determine
ton and agree to let them off to vote,
is a matter yet to be worked out.
No Money For Transportation.
The impression is that most of the
Baltimoreans would be glad to pay
their own expenses in order to get the
day off, but there is a question as to
whether or not the men from a dis
lance would be willing to pay out sew
eral dollars each just for the privi-
lege of rushing home, voting, and then
rusing back to camp.
Anyhow, no arrangements for pay
ing the expenses of those who might
not be willing to go home unless
their expenses are paid, even if given
leave of absence, seem to have been
made by either side. That, said lead
ers of both parties, is problem that
yet must be solved. The indications
are that neither side is going to have
a great deal of money to spend this
fall