The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-08-20

iority voter, and get back to the Legisla-
ture, and then go to Congress, and after
wards be Governor or President. He does
not intend his record shall antagonize the
seeming rights or privileges OF the dear
people, and hence he will not advocate u
measure that shall subject him to the crit
icism OF voting, TO prescribe what is mac
Curately described as property qualitica-
ton TO the right OF suffrage, or that shall
in any way abridge the elective franchise
to the poorer and humblest citizen. He
will blow by the hour about the political
rights OF the poor, horny-fsted laborer,
and contrast his condition with that Of the
"bloated bondholder," "who dresses in
purple and fine linen and fares sumptu-
ously every day."
That states the question fairly, and it is
the quintesence OF demagogsm-why?
Poll taxes all go TO the public school fund,
and the poorest and humblest citizens are
the chief benefciaries of the public free
schools. Tho free public school is EN-.
phatically the school that should be dear
est to the heart Of the poor; Tor ordinarily,
| il is his chief dependence for the educa-
ton OF his children. He knows or ought
to know that the best legacy he can leave
| lll6 illlu kbOl thuNalOlly anu ltt We
| find among the poor reluctance 10 pay
poll taxes that is incomprehensible.
Annually there is lost to the public
schools in Tennessee in uncollected pol
taxes at least 100000, notwithstanding
no property is exempt from destraint and
execution for unpaid poll taxes
Take my own county for ILLUSTRATION, and
it presents perhaps fair average.
The officers are as efficient and diligen
as any in the State, and yet am informed
we lose every year in insolvent and uncol
lccted poll taxes $1,000. We have, say
100 counties in the State, and it is safe &c
assume the same general average will oh
tain throughout the state,
How are we to rectify the trouble?
A change in tho constitution should b.
made, striking out all ambiguous or equiv
ocal verbiage, leaving nothing for legisla
tive enactment, and requiring every vote
liable therefor to pay his poll tax as a con
dition precedent to voting. Let the pro
vision be seli-acting, and let the constitu
ton be accordingly so changed.
Inasmuch, however, as there is no pros
pect OF q constitutional convention in tn,
near future, the trouble could be rcmcdicC
by legislative enactment, vitalizing ant
carrying into effect the constitutional pro
vision. That Is to say-have law enacted
requiring the voter TO give satisfactor,
evidence 10 the judges OF the election tha
he had paid his poll tax for the preceding
year, or II he had not, and could not pa!
his poll tax, let him make an oath to tina
effect. Ii man wants TO bring suit, h,
must give bond for costs, or take the oatl
prescribed for poor persons.
II he wants TO vote, is II any create
hardship 10 require him TO pay his pol
tax, or, in lieu thereto. file his affidavit
that he cannot pay II on account OF hi
poverty? And this would answer all tn
argument that n property qualification wa
a condition precedent to voting.
The result would be all poll taxes would
be paid. Ii man should bo found un
able 10 pay, some aspiring candidate
would advance tho money in contcmpla
ton Of his support.
II would vitalize that section Of the con
stitution relative TO poll taxes. II woul,
carry into effect the intention OF tn
trainers OF the constitution.
With the adoption Of these propose,
changes the demand for Federal aid TO on
struggling schools. which is the terror VI th
politician, would cease Every man woul
then bear his just share Of tho burden
our schools would be crcditably main
tanned and our public debt speedily paid
our waste places would be built up aud a
era OF unprecedented prosperity and IN
tclligencc among the masses would 500
dawn upon our state.