The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-01-18
APPEAL TO THE VOTERS
THEY ARE ASKED TO PAY THEIR POLL TAXES.
City Democratic Elective Committed of Selma Issues an Address in an Attempt to Arouse
 White Men.
Advertiser Bureau.

Selma, Jan. F. The City Democratic Executive Com mittee has issued the following appeal to those voters in Selma subject to poll tax. and it is likely to have a fine ef- feet in getting large number to pay up between now and February lst:
 To the Democratic Voters of the City
 of Selma:
 The new constitution of the State of Alabama was adopted for the purpose in the main of lifting from the shoulders of the white people of the State the in cubus of negro suffrage placed there in an i'll conceived moment of hate follow ing the contest between the States.
 Onei of the means employed in the new instrument to disfranchise the negro is to require the payment of M.50 as poll tax from each person over 2l and under 4s years of age, who desires to vote and 1t provided that all poll taxes collected in this State shall be applied to the sup rort of the public schools in the res pective counties where collected"
 The Executive Committee of the Demo- cratic and Conservative Party of Selma viewing with alarm the apathy existing among many members of the party liable to the tax. and believing that this con dition is caused from a failure to fully realize the importance of the matter. determined at meting held January 18th to appeal to such as come under the provisions of the law not to longer neglect this imperative duty.
 To be able to vote in any election, in- cluding the white primary, whether it be municipal, county, State or nationah every male person over 21 years of age and under 45 (not exempt by law) must have paid on or before February 1st, 1902 to the tax collector of the county in which he resides $1.50 as poll tax. Those exempt by law in the city of Selma are the active members of the Dallas Dra- goons, Selma Guards and Frank Pettus Field Artillery and also the active mem- bers of Phoenix Fire Company No. l. Protection Hook and Ladder, Company No. and Mechanics Steam Fire Engine Company No. 2. Exempt members of the fire department are not exempt from paying poll tax. Members of these vari- ous organizations should bear in mind that 1t is only active members who are exempt and should there be any question as to the ability of the member to prove, that he is on the active list, he is urged by all means to pay the small amount demanded by the constitution and there- by esta blish his right when registered be- yond all question to participate in the elections hereafter to occur in this city.
 This committee appeals to all. Demo- crats not to be deluded with the vain idea that, as in the past, some way will be devised to permit those to vote who have failed to pay their poll tax. Means em- ployed in the past, justihed by the ends sought and to be attained in no other manner, will no longer prevail, With the negro eliminated no reason or excuse will be accepted for continued pollution of the ballot box, and 1t will be and should be the endeavor of every citizen who delights in good government and honest methods to help establish a pure electorate freed from the taint of fraud and uncontaminated by evil, ia. There is every reason why the poll tax for 1901 should be paid and paid before February 1st. It is made by the Consti- tuition essential that not only must the poll tax be paid for 1901, but for each succeeding year. If five years hence, you should want to qualify yourself to vote not having previously paid anyypoll tax, it will be necessary to pay for each year dating back to 1901, or in this in stance, S.5Q. If you are 70 years of age and decide that you will wait until you are past the age limit which will be In five years more before you will exercise the right of suffrage, you cannot do so until you have paid the five years poll tax that was due. from 1901 until you passed the age limit.
 That 1t is the duty of every citizen to take active part in all elections, this com mittee feels each Democrat knows full well, and this appeal is made to impress upon each Democrat that in order to qualify himself to perform this impera- tive duty. his poll tax must be paid on or before February 1st, 1902 if he is over 21 and under 45 years of age, and not exempt by law.
 Do not longer put off the payment of the tax
 It must be paid on or before February 1st. 1902
 It is your imperative duty to pay 1t.
 It will qualify you when registered for participation in all party primaries and all general elections.
 It will be used in the education of the children of Selma and Dallas County.
 Pay your poll tax.
 Urge your neighbor to pay his poll tax.
 Respectfully,
 F. M. Wood. Chairman,
 Henry Franelich, Secretary,
 R. E. l.. Mel,
 R. D. Walker.