|
|
|
Section 4 was read and passed over.
Section 5 was read, providing for a uniform system of
registration.
Mr. Mitchell moved to strike out the entire article.
There had never been any registration law in Maryland
until provided for by the Convention of 1864. The peo-
ple did not want any registry; they had enough experi-
ence of this iniquitous law. In his county (Charles) the
judges of election were ample and knew all the voters.
The great expense attending the registry was also a great
objection—it would all have to be gone over again, and
had cost nearly $1, 600 in his county.
Mr. Jones said there was no doubt that the registry
provided for in 1864 was for grossly partisan purposes,
but the idea was not original with the radical party; reg-
istry laws had existed for years in others of the States.
. Besides, if this was stricken out, it would necessitate
changes in other articles of the constitution, which had
been framed with reference to the registry laws. The
annual expense would be limited, as the registry was al-
ready made, and only additions and alterations would have
to be made. A complete system of registration was ver\
necessary; it would prevent the colonizing of voters which
had prevailed in Baltimore.
Mr. Maulsby moved to amend by providing for regis-
tration only in Baltimore city and Baltimore county.
Mr. Wickes said the committee had representatives
from Baltimore city and from the larger counties, and
the committee had also consulted with other members of
the Convention, and the general impression seemed to be
in favor of the registry law, and the section had been re-
ported as a consequence. Representing one of the small
counties, (Kent, ) he could say they did not want it, and
he left the whole subject with the Convention.
Mr. Wethered thought a registry law absolutely neces-
sary to the purity of the ballot-box. Baltimore city
and county absolutely needed it, and, in fact, all the
northern tier of counties needed it. It was true that this
law had been made by the radicals to subserve their own
partisan ends, and to exclude the majority of the people
of this State from the ballot-box, and this Convention
232
|
|
|
|
 |
