Freedom
From Political Persecution and Tyranny
We the people honor these men who brought democracy to Dorchester County July 8, 1985 by a change of the Constitution of Maryland ordered by the United States Courts:
George C. Jones, Charles F. Hurley Sr., Don W. Bradley, Oliver Harding, Richard Harding, William Reid, Edward Conway, William O. Corkran, Leon Medford, Gregory Meekins
Text on Marker Base: Lest we forget
1851 - The Maryland Constitution was written requiring voting at large to assure control of minorities.
1978 - Gov. Millard E. Tawes and Gov. George C. Jones, District 763 Rotary Int., lifelong friends, agreed to improve the Dorchester County political system.
1980 - Funds were raised and placed in escrow for legal expenses.
1981 - The North Dorchester Democratic Club was formed.
1983 - The Club requested the U.S. Justice Dept. to make investigations. Results: suits filed against Dorchester County officials in U.S. District Court in Baltimore. The Voting Rights Act 42-U.S.C. 1973 was being violated.
July 8, 1985 - U.S. Judge Norman J. Ramsey ordered 5 equal districts, abolished at-large voting and signed the consent decree, paving the way for other voting rights cases.
1986 - The Maryland legislature changed the constitution.
Nov. 10, 1987 - This stone was erected.
Marker is on East New Market Ellwood Road (Maryland Route 331) 0.4 miles south of Preston Road (Maryland Route 318), on the right when traveling south.
Courtesy hmdb.org
