The weekly Iberian. (New Iberia, La.) 1894-1946, 1902-12-20
NO POLL TAXES PAID HERE.

IcSlluS uipOu tlN-HI W pay tnCll
poll tax and earn the full rights OF |
citizenship is a shame and an out
rage.
There is an absolute lack of in
terest and concern in the payment |
of this tax in this parish. Unless
some concerted effort is made, the
vote of the parish will be almost
nothing. But few days yet re-
main. and yet the total number
recorded as having paid for 1902,
outside of the few who have also
paid their parish taxes, is 191.
To this must be added about one
hundred on the regular roll who
have also paid their other taxes,
making approximately three hun
dred persons in the entire parish
who have paid their polls, Baton
Rouge Advocate.
To this complexion has it come
at last! Sad, sad commentary !
The vast majority of intelligent
people of this state have become
SO thoroughly disguised with the
manner IN which its affairs, and
especially its elections, have been
conducted that they do not care
to vote, and certainly will not pay
for the privilege The late Con-
stitutional Convention simply
'put it's foot in it," when it enac-
ted the clause in relation to the
poll tax. Some of the long-headed
members and newspaper men saw
the danger and sounded an ALARM.
They knew that many good men
and true were heartily Disguised
with conditions as they then exis-
ted and, in consequence, were
rather weak in their faith towards
| the dominant party, which had
done many things it should not
have done and failed to do many
lit should have done, and far-see-
ing men predicted just what has
occurred. 1t is, unquestionably,
condition and not theory, now.
It is bug-abOO that is haunting
and disturbing the serenity Of the
Democratic party, which was its
creator. It may prove its Nemesis
in due time. The poll tax law
like the Sunday law, is not popu
lar with the people, and never viii
be. The only difference is that
the poll tax is generally enforced
I and the Sunday law is not. Why
should this be thuss Echo. an
swers, .:why'o Yet, according t.
the rules Of ethics, justice, fair
play and honest dealing one il
Just as sacred and binding as tn,
other; still one is vigorously enforc
ed and the violation of the otle
in some sections,is encouraged AMI
sanctioned by the very men who's
sworn duty it is to enforce it. Il
this section, thanks to the vigi
lance Of conscientious officers, tn
Sunday law Is strictly enforced
even the barber shops being com
PEELED to close Ii other town
and sections of the state ba
rooms and other business house
lare wide open and do business o
Il Sunday the same as any other da
and the officers, as well as yothe
!, people, go in and take their drink
: and make purchases, without an
r scruples. Strange, isn't it? Ye
s this is ne fairy tale it is as tru
as Gospel
& But we have strayed from tn
D subject. We started out to tai
! about the poll tax and to try
q show why so many people refus
to pay it. There is no use to tr
4 to dodge the issue or cover 1t u
j with high flown phrases and bin
8 guessing. The plain, rough trut
d of the matter is that vast m;
jorlty Of the people are thorough
" Disguised with politics AN
I don't give snap how things &c
? This IS rash and foolish, Of .cours.
since tue people, when |. they vii
have it in their power to right a
wrongs and correct all abuse.
e at any time. This they can neye
z do by voluntarily disfranchi,
ling themselves. However, Co
: Moody, editor Of the Republica
Idea, of AbbeviIle, objects to spu
: ting che matter in this way, in a
article published in another pa,
oe 49,, 9 = y-r ..sa5s,ss a,s-.s