The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-01-19
4 PITIFUL COLLAPSE.

We do not attempt to conceal our dis
gust at the manner in which the bill
to require, the prepayment Of the capita
ton tax as a prerequisite to voting was
treated in the Senate Nor can we under
stand the action of some Democrats VINO
voted against it. Senator Flood and some
others who have been regarded as repre-
sentatiyes Of the political machine. made
an earnest and an honest effort TO get
this measure through, while other Demo-
Gratis, who are supposed TO be opposed
to the machine, voted against 1t. This, we
say, is a strange thing, because The
measure was designed to eliminate the
negro vote. and so to get rid OF the pre-
text for election .rickery in some oil the
black districts. 1t was, therefore, I
measure in the direction OF honest cleo
lions Vet some Of those who are called
machine politicians voted for it, while
some Of those who are opposed TO the
MACHINE voted against it. The reason as
signed. SO we have been informed, by
some Of the gentlemen who voted against
(.
they had found that there We're thousands
of Democrats in Richmond and through
out the State who had not paid their
capitation tax, and that TO pass this bill
would be practically 10 disfranchisc them.
This was not a valid reason for 1t was
not proposed to take snap judgment upon
any. If the bill should DE passed, it
would not go into operation at once, and
not until all the delinqucnts should be
warned.
But there is q more serious view of the
question. If there are thousands and
thousands OF voters in Virginia who do
not pay their captation tax, then that
lis reason in itself and sufficient reason
for passing this bill. We are Mortified
at the suggestion that thousands and
thousands OF voters should be practically
exempted from the payment Of the capita
ton tax merely because they don't choose
10 pay it. Our Constitution provides that
taxation shall be equal and uniform, and
that every man shall bear his part of
the public burden. We believe that pro-
pcrty owners should be made 10 pay
taxes under fair. and uniform assess
ment. but a man should not be entirely
exempt because he has no visible proper
ty. The State can compel the property
owner to pay taxes on his property. and
to pay his head tax also. But the man
who has no property is permitted to vote
and to take an active part in the affairs
Of government without ever paying SO
expenses of government. And this, too.
in spite Of the fact that it often happens
that a man without property is far more
able 10 pay his head tax than the man
little home in town. There is not one
case in a thousand in the State of Vir-
ania where the voter is not able TO pay
his head tax, and we say shat the man
who has such j low idea OF citizenship
as that he will dodge the tax collector
rather Than pay his capitation tax, is not
worthy TO exercise the right Of franchise.
Under the old system OF collecting the
head tax as a prerequisite 10 voting, there
were gross abuses bu, in the bill to which
We now refer ample provision against
these abuses have been made, and we can
see no possible objection TO 1t. II is in
the interest Of pure elections and q higher
citizenship and. in addition to this, it
would bring large revenue TO the State,
TO which she is justly entitled. The bill
should become law, and If it is voted
down we believe that the taxpayers of
this State will wan, to know the reason
why.
CURRENT TOPICS.
Tho Charlotte Observer says:
"The plan to kill the trust has at last