Digges Amendment
Encyclopedia
The Digges Amendment was an amendment
to the Maryland Constitution
proposed in 1910 by the Democratic Party. The amendment would have used property requirements to effectively disenfranchise many African Americans (and possibly some immigrants) in the state. Two Democrats, William Frere and Walter Digges, were responsible for framing the bill.
and approved by Governor
Austin Lane Crothers
, but it still required the approval of the people. Even before the people had a chance to vote on the amendment, a bill was proposed which would have effectively passed the requirements of the Digges Amendment into law anyway. Not only did that measure fail after a public outcry, but the amendment itself was rejected by the people of Maryland.
Constitutional amendment
A constitutional amendment is a formal change to the text of the written constitution of a nation or state.Most constitutions require that amendments cannot be enacted unless they have passed a special procedure that is more stringent than that required of ordinary legislation...
to the Maryland Constitution
Maryland Constitution
The current Constitution of the State of Maryland, which was ratified by the people of the state on September 18, 1867, forms the basic law for the U.S. state of Maryland. It replaced the short-lived Maryland Constitution of 1864 and is the fourth constitution under which the state has been...
proposed in 1910 by the Democratic Party. The amendment would have used property requirements to effectively disenfranchise many African Americans (and possibly some immigrants) in the state. Two Democrats, William Frere and Walter Digges, were responsible for framing the bill.
History
The amendment would have required that people who have $500 worth of property and paid taxes to register for two years prior to an election. It was passed by the Maryland General AssemblyMaryland General Assembly
The Maryland General Assembly is the state legislature of the U.S. state of Maryland. It is a bicameral body. The upper chamber, the Maryland State Senate, has 47 representatives and the lower chamber, the Maryland House of Delegates, has 141 representatives...
and approved by Governor
Governor of Maryland
The Governor of Maryland heads the executive branch of the government of Maryland, and he is the commander-in-chief of the state's National Guard units. The Governor is the highest-ranking official in the state, and he has a broad range of appointive powers in both the State and local governments,...
Austin Lane Crothers
Austin Lane Crothers
Austin Lane Crothers , a member of the United States Democratic Party, was the 46th Governor of Maryland in the United States from 1908 to 1912.-Early life and career:...
, but it still required the approval of the people. Even before the people had a chance to vote on the amendment, a bill was proposed which would have effectively passed the requirements of the Digges Amendment into law anyway. Not only did that measure fail after a public outcry, but the amendment itself was rejected by the people of Maryland.