The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-10-27
POLL TAX DELINQUENTS
Continued from Page I.

No one could kick then. Massachusetts,
many other laws i'm the old bay state that
might be copied with profit in Rhode
Island"
Another man said that the old systsm
was the best. Every man who voted bad 10
pay registry tax, aud those who didn
care 10 exercise the great privilege OF
American citizenship could keep his dol
lar and do with IL as he liked without the
Rear or going 10 jail Another important
thlng. lhe Income from registry tax
would he great deal larger than the
present poll tax. ard instead OF the pres
ent $1,000 received by the scnOol tuna the
amount would be not far from three
times that. and the expense OF getting II
would no materially reduced. The object
of the old law was that it was too much
In politics and the scheme of the poll tax
was 20 make each man paw his own.
What's the odds :" said the man, so
long as the result in politics is the same
The poll tax doesn't change tho result
and the city loses about $40, 900. The pay
ment Of the tax by political Organizations.
under tho old system of voting might
get grip on the voter. and tho result b3
effected, but under the presen, system the
yotor can 10 about as he pleases aud no
one be the wiser from bis action. Yes,
said the man I'm conclusion, the old way
was the more profitable from nearly every
point OF view
A CHANCE FOR RELIEF.
IL Is claimed thnt the poll tax was n
hardship 10 the poor man. The position
Was taken that there ar5 a good many
worthy men in the community who
could not afford TO pay "a poll tax, and IN
the syes Of the law he could be taken 10
Cranston jail
That is not fact, however because
~ hf,
to pay the dollar for the roas IN IL should
In Justice go elsewhere, can appear be
fore the board or assessors and state n 5
case and then the Board Of Aldermen can
remit the tax the same as is frequently
done on real estate where the owners are
too poor to pay.
The constitutionnlity of the present poll
tax has been assailcd and there seems TO
he good grounds for IT, else the law would
be tested AS the law now appears To
s.and, an upaid poll tax would give tho
city the right Co place writ in the hands
of sheriff, who could take the offender
To Cranston Jail without ceremony, to
languisb there until the dollar, plus 90
cents and other costs were forthcoming
IL is asserted that If dozen of the
Offenders were thus treated the other non
! payers wouldswalk up To the captai.' s
Office and settle. But, suppose they
wouIdn'tS WHAT would the result he,
treasurer's office as basis?
SOME PAID MORE DID NOT.
Eight thousand persons paid their tax
About IA. 600 didn't. What is to be done
with tbemY Send tl IN to Cranstong No:
that would be too expensive as IL
Is estimated that 10 costs $3 week to
board offenders at that much advertised
spot. Mu.tIl7 that 14,000 by 81. ard the
RESULT Is very interesting. Thin apply
the idea all over the state. and il the
same proport on was maintained as shown
In tho city Of Providence, tGere would
bo ABOUT 40, 600 men in JAIL provided they
kicked and wouldn't pay tre poll tax.
The movement would be good In few
directions, at least. 1t would give archi-
tects contractors. masons, carpenters,
and builders lots or work building jaI1s
OF sufficient capacity TO keep the inmates
out OF the cold and wet, and out of all
political upheavals similar TO the racket
they are having at Pawtucket and likely
to have nearer home, IL the citizens be-
lieve all they read In couple OF the
daily papers.
Then the towns would have To support
the numerous families and keep want
from their doors while papa was in Jail
Fortunately, however, the state spreads
its kindly arm over the midget territory
and proclaims by its constitution that its
various cities, towns, villages and ham
lets shall not do ny:hinR Rlddy.
IL says that no person shall he deprived
Of his property and liberty, aud that tho
right of1trial by jury snail remain i'm
violate.
20 you see there can he no grabbing
man and sending him 10 Cranston until
twelve of his peers agree that be- ought To
20 there, Then the poll tax question will
be settled.