Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1920-09-05

lieve they will have any. believe
that the sober judgment of the mem
bers of the legislature will not per-
nit them to have reality. No question
of political expediency should ever be
allowed to outbalance that which is
inherently right.
The formal call will be issued
promptly. the necessary legislation
VIII be prepared in advance and made
public and, as far as my influence can
prevent. no legislation of a partisan,
political or other character, not fairly
related to the subject of the call, shall
be considered. no matter from what
party 1t may emanate."
Time Needed for Registratfon.
Declaring thousands of women would
be disfranchised unless relief is offered
through an extra session, Gov. Richie
said:
I'm the counties there are two reg
istration days of eleven hours each or
twenty-five hours in ALL II one woman
were registered every five minutes. then
the total number registered in the two
days would be 264. This is on the as
sumption of no delay whatever, with
every woman ready and awaiting her
turn and with the officials having
nothing to do but register women
that is, no men to register and no
transfers"
Allowing for registration Of men
and transfers, the governor estimates
that but ESQ persons could be reg
istered in one precint, at the outside,
in the two days.
Figuring that as many women as
men will apply for registration, since
there are many thousands more women
than men in Maryland. the governor
estimates that with only two regis
tratlon days at the very least 60.52I
women would be DISTINGUISHED in the
counties of the state and thousands
OF men and women in Baltimore city
would be disfranchised simply because
there would not be sufficient time in
which to register them. His estimate
as to the city is based upon the five-day
registration period now allowed.
1T may be true that as many
women will not apply to register as
there are men registered" the gov
ernor adds. Personally. I would not
be willing to assume that less than
IS per cent of the women will apply. L
have worked out the problem OF the
counties on the theory that only 50 per-
cent OF the women would apply. On
this basis there would be 5.024 women
IN the counties who would not be able,
to register for lacl' of time
The Republican Pregram.
republicans will urge at the special
session is contained in the following
declaration of aims:
ITO ratify the federal suffrage
amendment Qefeated by the democrat
ic machine in the last legislature
Maryland will thereby become the
thirty-seventh state to ratify and
place the suffrage amendment beyond
the reach OF legal attack.
ITO repeal the iniquitous declara-
ton Of intention applying to both
women and men now and in the fu-
ture.
ITO repeal the AFFIDAVIT Of removal
law.
'To provide for such additional days
| OF registration as are deemed assem-
! tial for the full registration Of women.
ITO provide in a thorough and
comprehensive way for the simplin-
cation OF the ballot.
ITO provide such increase OF poll
ing facilities and improvement Of vot-
ing conditions as will prevent over
crowding at the polls and serve the
convenience of woman voters. includ-
ing the use where possible Of school
houses and the public buildings.
ITO pass other legislation as may
be necessary to establish and guaran-
tee for woman her full political and
legal rights"
The republicans also took steps to
give the women representation in the
party councils OF the state, as did the
democrats. who earlier in the week
appointed Mrs. James T. Briscoe Of
Hagerstown, to the democratic ma
tional committee.
JOHN A. ELGERT.