The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1883-06-24
Republication in Massachusetts.

The Republican majority In tho Massa-
chusetts House Of Representatives has been
so steady In its opposition to reform OF all
kinds that ono OF the most fragrant instances
Of its hunkerism and It's distrust OF the pco-
pie has received but little notice. 1t Is good
Instance, however, Of the feeling with which
the Massachusetts Republicans look down
upon that largo number OF their fellow citi-
zcns who are not very forehanded, Us tho
Massachusetts, people say.
By the public statutes OF Massachusetts, a
poll tax Is assessed upon every male inhab-
liant OF the State above the age OF twenty
years. whether citizen or an alien. The
assessors have the right to exempt persons
who In their judgment arc, on account OF
"age, infirmity, or poverty. unable to con-
tribute to tho public charges" Practically
this exception amounts to little. BY an
amendment, ratified In 1921, to the State Con-
stitution, any citizen twcnty-one years Of
age or older who shall have paid any State
or county tax, which shall within two years
next preceding an election have been as
sessed upon him, shall have right to vote
ut such election. These State and county
taxes are assessed each year upon the polls
The average amount Of the poll tax is two
dollars. In order to vote. then, a Massachu-
sets man must pay about two dollars BY an
amendment to the Constitution soldiers and
sailors Of tho United States in time OF war
are not disqualified from voting on account
OF non-payment of poll taxes. Even this
slight relief to small number OF persons
was not granted till 1881.
Tho annual reports published by tho New
England towns usually contain long list OF
delinquent poll-tax payers. Two dollars once
In two years does not seem large sum, but
1t Is more than man working for eighty or
ninety cents day In factory can afford to
pay for the privilege Of voting. The poor
men feel that this tax Is hardship. Num-
bers Of them never vote. Others vote only
when politicians pay their poll taxes for them
The Republicans always oppose the aboli-
ton OF this tax. 1t Is dear to their souls. 1t
is relic Of the old respectable" Fedcralist
Massachusetts,. 1t Is In the nature Of q prop
erty qualification for the suffrage. 1t keeps
from the polls good many people who
know their friends and who might not DO
likely to vote the Republican ticket. Tho
Republicans can't see any hardship in the
poll tax. They are unable to SEQ why man
who hesitatcs about paying two dollars to
vote should DO allowed to vote. Such man,
they think, would probably be radical and
dangerous In his political action.
In some way or other bill abolshing the
poll tax rs prerequisite for voting passed
the Massachusetts Senate lately. 1t was a
constitutional amendment, andff 1t succeed
ed in passing both Houses by a two-thirls
vote would still have to be submitted to the
people. The House Of Representatives re-
jected the bill by an almost strict party vote.
The Republicans were afraid to let the pco-
pie have anything to say about the matter.
These Massachusetts Republicans will find
out that tho people will have good deal to
say about this subject and several others.