|
3e
CITIZENSHIP AND SUFFRA(4E IN MARYLAND.
them.' The proposition was made, that the State prevent even naturalised
citizens from voting, and some attempt was made to have a definition
inserted
of who 'are citizens of this State.2 Great difference of opinion was also
shown
in regard to the question as to residence of voters.' It. was urged on the
one
hand, that the voter ought not only to show a residence of oil(-. year in
the
State and six months in the county, but that Baltimore's wards should rank,
for this purpose, as counties and that the voter should live sixty, thirty,
or
even ton or fifteen days previous to election in the precinct in which he
desired to vote. These later requirements failed to find acceptance front
the
majority of the Convention. By many, it was urged that even a five days'
requirement would work great hardship, especially- in a population' composed
largely of clay laborers, like that of Baltimore city. A touching picture
was
drawn of essary to
make an individual competent to give an intelligent vote, by nlal:ing him
familiarly acquainted with the tree interests of the county, so that he may
be guided to a wise selection of a, candidate. Another stated,' he favored
the requirement of six months' residence in the county, not so much for the
reason above given, as that the voter may have identity of feeling and
inter-
est with the community which he purposes to aid in electing a fnn<•tinnary,
and
also that he ma.y become sufficiently known to the people of the vioina |
