The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-01-12
IS LITTLE INTEREST
DALLAS CITIZENS FAIL TO PAY
 POLL TAX.
Leading Democrats Contemplate Issuing an Address Urging Upon the People the Im-
 portance of the Matter.
Advertiser Bureau,

Selma, Jan. il.
 Up to yesterday three hundred and nine white men had paid their poll taxes in Dallas county. It Is estimated that there are fifteen hundred white men in Dal- las County, subject to poll tax. It is seen from the above that just one fifth of the number entitled to vote have paid their poll tax. It is just twenty-one days now till the first of February and unless this poll tax Is paid they cannot vote during the year l9g. They not only cannot vote mary, for none but legal voters will be permitted to participate in choosing the nominees.
 This question has grown to be of so ing Democrats of the county are speak ing of issuing public address, urging the voters to pay their poll tax, thus making them eligible to vote under the There is no doubt but that scores of good men in Dallas and other parts of Ala bama are going to put the matter off till 1t is too late. Then there is going to be great howl, but they will have no one to blame but themselves.
 In the city of Selma 1t Is estimated that there are at least three hundred firemen, ex-fremen, soldiers and ex-sol- If this is a fact, then there are about six hundred white men in Dallas be- tween the ages of 21 and 45. entitled to vote. It is estimated that there are be-
 
 men over the age of 45, who are entitled to vote without having to pay the poil tax. Not more than half of them, on account of age and other causes. will go to the polls and cast their votes. Not all of those between the ages of 21 and 45. who have registered, will take the trouble to vote. Only a small per cent. of the 590 negroes who have registered can comply with the new Constitution. It will be seen, therefore, that there is no chance for the Democracy of Dallas to be endangered by the people not pay ing their poll taxes. but they are urged to do so from patriotic motives, so that there can De no trouble about any white man In the county going to the polls in both the primary and general elections, and registering his vote for whom he pleases.
 There will bs a Democratic primary held to select State officers and a mem Der of the Senate and three Representa- tives from Dallas County some time this year. A great many white men, who would like to take part in selecting dele gates to the State convention and hav- ing voice in saying who shall repre- sent them in the House and Senate, will be very angry and will kick loud and long when they are told that they cannot vote.
 Your representative has heard young white men, men of intelligence, say that they wonld not walk a hundred yards to pay their poll tax in order to get vote. This is the most lamcntable fea- ture or the whole anair. As long as all white men take an active interest in the affairs of government you can rest assured that only good men will be sent to the national and State legislative halls, and the very best men possible will be selected to enforce the laws pass by the legislative departments, But let men cease to take an active part in affairs of this sort and pretty soon there will be mutterngs of discomfort and you will hear the old hackneyed phrase we are being governed by ring
 The newspapers have done their duty in urging those between the ages of Y and 4o to pay their poll taxes. If they do not do so. who is to blame? They can answer this question for themselves after they are refused the privilege of voting.