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1904.] OF THE SEN ATE. 81
by those citizens who, because of their intelli-
gence, their heredity, and their, interest in the
material welfare, of the "Commonwealth, are the
best fitted to properly, patriotically and wisely exer-
cise the high duties of citizenship.
This result can only be attained by an amendment
to the Constitution fixing a higher standard of quali-
fication for the exercise of the elective franchise. I
believe that an amendment to ihe Constitution upon
the lines which I have suggested, expressed in clear,
definite, simple terms should be submitted to the
people of Maryland.
ELECTION LAW.
The pledge made by me during the canvass, second
only in importance to the one just referred to, and
which success at the polls has transformed into a bind-
ing obligation, promised such amendments of the
election law as would insure the counting of the bal-
lots in accordance with the intention of the voter
Therefore, Purge the Legislature to so amend the
present electiou law as to provide that each ballot
shall be counted in accordance with the intention of
the voter, for all those offices for which it is possible
to clearly ascertain that intent, unless it is manifest
from the appearance of the ballot that distinguishing
marks have been intentionally placed by the voter
thereon for the fraudulent purpose of enabling that
ballot to be identified.
I am, however, absolutely opposed to any amend
ments of our Election Laws which will in any way
lessen the securities which now exist for a fair ballot
and an honest count.
If a Constitutional Amendment is passed by this
Legislature allowing the People to fix the qualifica-
tion of the voters, and these amendments to the Elec-
tion Law are made, the plighted faith of the Democ-
racy will be redeemed.
CORRUPT PRACTICES ACT.
The greatest menace to-day to a Republican form of
government is the power of money, corruptly used for
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