The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1878-01-26
A Poll Tax in Maryland.


The Csatreuaie OJserrcr advocates a
poll tax in Maryland and the Kent Nescs
endorses its views. We had much rather
agree than disagree with our coutempora-
ries, but We must differ with them on
this subject. The Observer says:
At present it is unconstitutional in this
State to pass 3 law requiring men to pay a
poll tax. Ii is however within the province
Of the General Assembly to pass a bill sub
hitting to the people an amendment to the
constitution which viii make a poll tax law
full. We trust our delegates viii be alive to
the importance Of this measure, and propose
snch an amendment at an early day. To tax
the poll is TO raise thousands Of dollars
which do not find their way into the treasury,
and to thus far relieve the taxpayers Of the
burdens they now bear. In Maryland at the
last election 130,993 votes were polled At
50 head this would have relieved the tax
payers of $261, 1886, which would go a great
way towards paying the expenses Of the State
government. Hundreds of men vote and
otherwise enjoy the privileges and protection
ofgovernment who contribute nothing what
ever to its support. The small pittance Of 50
a year would scarcely be felt by them, and vet
in the aggregate would be felt in relieving the
taxpayers. 1t is right that every man should
assist in bearing the expenses of the govern
ment he lives under, and being right we know
of no good reason why tax by the poll should
not be enforced in this State.
As the Observer well says at the outset
of its article, poll tax in this State, is
unconstitutional The 18th article Of the
Declaration Of Rights, says:
That the Ievying of taxes by the poll is
grieyons and oppressive, and ought TO be
prohibited; that paupers ought not 10 be as
sessed for the support of the Government
bat every person in the State, OF persons
holding property therein, ought to contribute
his proportion of public taxes for the support
of the Government, according to his actual
worth in real or personal property yet fines,
duties and taxes may properly and justly be
imposed or laid, with political view, for the
good government and benefit Of the commu-
nifty.
It viii be observed that the basis of
taxation, here laid down, is "actual worth
in real and personal property" The levy
ing Of taxes by the poll is grievous. The
wisdom of those who gave us the bill of
rights, foresaw that property was the only
proper basis Of taxation. Unless we are
wiser in our generation than the men who
adopted the bill of rights, we shall discover
no good reason for the repeal of this arti-
ole, We have watched the operation of
a poll tax in States where it exists, and
we have found it to be a restriction upon
the right Of suffrage. This effect of a poll
tax the wisdom Of our ancestors foresaw
and endeavored to avoid. In their view
the ballot ought to be free and untrammel-
ed; but in States where it exists the right
to vote is made to depend upon the pay
ment of the tax. The man who has not
paid his tax cannot vote. Is it not in the
tax instead of the man, that the right of
suffrage inheres? DR.. franklin illustrated
the folly Of restriction Of this character
upon the right of suffrage, by instancing
the case of man who rode to the polls a
jackass valued at the sum required for a
poll tax. But, before the man voted his
jackass laid down and died, so the man
could not vote as he did not possess the
requisite property qualification. The Doc
tor naively asks whether it was the man
or the jackass that possessed the right of
suffrage? A poll tax is 'grievous" in
this, that at every election there are men
who from poverty or other cause have not
paid their tax To secure their votes, es-
pecially in warmly contested elections,
candidates and their party friends, viii
make arrangements to pay the tax for them.
This is not only grievous, but burdensome.
and cOrfupting and humiliating in its ten
denotes. 1t robs men of that independence
aud pride Of character which should always
distinguish the citizens of free republic,
when they go TO exercise the right of
choice of rulers or of public servants, and
it lessons, also, their selfrespect, to be
thus the recipients of benc6ces Of this
character in return for their votes. The
tendency of such system is evil and low
ering to the standard of American citizen
ship. Let us respect the bin of rights as
it stands, and throw nothing in the way
Of the poor man to make his lot harder
than it is.