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CHAPTER III.
THE HISTORY OF 7117•', SUFFRAGE LAWS (IF 1fA11Y1.A\D.
The State 6f Maryland is now composed of twenty-three counties and
the City of Baltimore, which is not contained in any of the counties, but is
co-ordinate with them, lIas for many purposes. separate laws, and is ranked
as
the equal of three of the-largest counties in the State, in regard to its
Legisla-
tive representation.
The history of suffrage in the State divides itself most naturally into six
periods, as follows: First, before 1678, all free men were voters and the
Legislature was sometimes representative and sometimes a mass-meeting ;
second, from the passage of the Act of 1678 and the issue of an edict by the
Lord Proprietary, in 1651, limiting the suffrage to property-holders, until
the
adoption of a. State Constitution in 1776 ; third, front 1776 until 1802,
when
the property qualification was taken away and a race one added ; fourth,
from 1802 to 186, when provision for registration of voters was made; ffth,
from 186:7 to tile adoption of the Australian ballot, in 1890 ; sixth.,
from 1890
to the present. We shall find Maryland a pioneer in several movements; for
instance, in this Colony was made the first attempt in Alnerica towards
~~'onlan Suffrage, when Mfrs. Margaret Brent appeared, in .lanuary, 167-8,
before the .assembly` -and claimed vote and voice in the House for herself,
personally, and as attorney for the Lord Proprietary, and " protested
against
all proceedings in this present Assembly," when the privilege was denied
leer.
I. FROM THE sl:l'1'1.1:U1:\'1' TO THE 1,131F[WHON OF THE SUFFRAGE.
The ,judicious 1Icllalron" refer, to the early elective franchise in the
palatinate of Maryland, as being "of the most extensive kind. By the
charter, the Proprietary was to exercise Legislative power, by and with the
advice, assent, and approbation of the freemen, or of the De1e:;ates or
Deputies.°' In the Latin original of the charter these freemen are referred
to,
both as liberwi. 7tom.inaes |
