St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1879-02-15
Am Educational Tax
New Orleans Democrat


During the session of the Legislature
in 1877 the Democrat urged the repeal
of the present law requiring the regis
tration of voters as proper step III the
direction of reform. Our suggestions
we're so far acted upon that a Legislative
committee examined the question arc
sustained our conclusions, but found
bar to their adoption in the State con-
stitution. Consequently the matter was
dropped, and the expensive aud lnet1l-
cient registration system was necessarily
continued.
Just at this time, the discussion of this
question of registration is opportune.
The constitutional convention, to meet
in April, will be called upon to examine
the working of the election machinery
now in operation, and there can be no
doubt that the necessity of very material
chances viii be discovered. In no res
Dect will there be found as great need
for a change as in the present method OF
qualifying voter for casting his ballot;
The system of registration is founded
mon the theory that fraudulent voting
is thereby prevented. Dear experience
has taught the people of Louisiana that
the theory is a false one. The political
trickster. the ballot-boX suffer and the
INSCRIPTIONS registrar could not have
devised plan more suited to their pc
culiar methods than this same Teglstla-
ton system. Under it the most CLAIM
frauds may be prepatrated against the
sanctity of the ballot box. BY its oper-
alton the honest voter has seen the value
of his ballot destroyed by the introduce
ton Of spurious votes, and the verdict
of the majority set aside by the dis
reputable practices of the poll-hOlders.
In fact, the system so reeks with fraud
that it has become almost impossible
for the party in power, il it makes use
of the facilities afforel by the registra-
ton laws, to be defeated at the polls.
The people of the State need no argu-
meat upon this point. The practices
followed during the administrations of
Warmoth and kellogg are fresh in the
memory of every citizen, and are con-
elusive as to the fact that the opportuni-
ties for election frauds are vastly in
creased under the registration laws.
, Dead men have been voted 10y thousands,
men who never had existence have been
counted for the Republican ticket, and
many thousand white citizens We're
yearly DISTINGUISHED because the Gov
: ernor's appointce refused to allow them
chance to register 10y remaining away
rom various parishes:
Somuch for the fraud theory. There
is still another serious objection to the
system. 1t costs the taxpayers S6O,OW
or $4,000 every election year, which
would he burdensome even It the regis
traton Of voters accomplishedsthe Object
claimed for it. But as it actually en-
courages election frauds the attendant
expense is at ouce an oppression and al
. outrage.
{ The remedy for this state Of things i!
l. simple. Let the convention oblteratt
the registration of voters from am0ns
the requirements of the voting quaifi
5 cations, and in its stead provide tina
each person when he presents hlmsel
at the polls shall be armed with ia!
e Teceint "a we'll as his ballot Let TIN
n tax for which the receipt is given b.
= known as tho educational tax; to b
t devoted exclusively TO file mainfenanc
|, of the free school system OF the State
), This tax should be fixed at from 81 t
y 80 80. The highest sum would proOabl
u be the best. Frauds in the use of tn
t tax receipts could be prevented by tn
t right of Challenge at the polls, In thu
e way the exercise OF the franchise WouI'
e nos only be simplifed, but frauds wQull
g be prevented, election expenses you'll
d be greatly reduced, the honest vote q
g the State, and that only, would be cast
Il and the free schools would secure Il iun
IL which would be ample for their main
e tenance throughout the year, whe
r combined with that now at the DISPOSE
e Ct tie Superintendent Of Eublic haucq
q ton. -,
y This will be one of tue most interest
J., ing and important questions Of resorl
d that the convention will be called upo
to settle. 1t must grow in favor as
e is better understood. Public sentimer
9ft has already decided that q Change
II necessary, and the one suggested mus
l. be accented as covering the case.
y A poll tax for educational purpose
y cannot, in the very nature Of things, I
y. unpopular. In this instance it will purif
l. the balla box while it educates the poi
a children of the State. 1t will, beside
'e act equally upon every voter, and tn
III is what no tax levied by the State no
q does.