The weekly Thibodaux sentinel. [volume] (Thibodaux, La.) 1898-1905, 1902-05-31
The Poll Tax Requirement.

There 10 no subject about which
there has been 30 absolute and COM
piste revuls,on of public sentiment
as that of the roll tax requirement
engrafted into the constitution.
This change in sentiment has not
been the result OF real or imaginary
political advantage, BY one party Of
faction In the State, BY reason Of its
operations, but II Il the drm and
honest conviction that Il 10 . wrong
principle; that It has proven 10 prac.
tice the reverse of what was claimed
for It in theory; that It 10 dangerous
and absolutely noxious in limb and
branch.
Whatever may hsve been theoreti-
cal views upon the subject. those
Who have seen its practical operations
have become sworn opponents OF 1t,
denouncing aud rejecting 1t from
every possible standpoint Under its
operations, the personnel Of the elec-
torsts and the voting strength of a
parish become profound secrets lock-
ell in the breasts of the sheriff and
bis friends. The opportunity for
fraud and the occasion for personal
clashes at the polls are multiplied
manifold, under its wret:hed prOvis-
ioua II is the most undesirable, un-
just, unequal, menacing, dangerous
and destructive element that could
possiblJ be fastened upon our politi-
cal system. The argument that be-
Cause scme have paid the tax while
others have not aud therefore the
former have earned and paid fol
privileges that they have right 70
enjoy, is absolutely without founda-
ton. Every dollar paid was a deb
due, under the law, and it went to
the support Of the public schools in
the locality where it was collected
and neither injustice nor injury have
been done the parties who paid.
We oppose the tax, as a prerequi-
site to voting, and favor the submis-
sion of constitutional amendment
for its repeal, TOR every reason tha
has ever been offered, and we es-
pecially favor its repeal for the fol-
lowing thirteen good and sutticien
reasons:
l. 1t fixes a money standard TO
citizenship and has repulsiv'
$-mark for an emblem.
2. 1t ixes q cash money basis 70
the value of votes of $500 q head.
3. Instead of thwarting and pre-
venting professionalism in politics,
fosters, aids and assists it, by MAXIM
the play of politics . surer and NOR
certain game.
4. 1t gives to the SHERIFF. Of th
several parishes power and contro
sufficient 10 dictate parish politics.
s. 1t has utterly failed as n
venue producer for the pubIn school,
The record shows hat while pOpuls
ton and assessments have largely u
creased, the increase to the poll ta.
hes not been in due proportior
From 1899 to 1900 the increase u
polls paid was $l3,l22, while fror
1900 to 1901 it was only $2,7l6.
6. 1t opens the gate to unlimite
fraud, the poll tax receipt being th
safeguard to ones rights Of citizeushi
and at ths same time being hedges
about by no more sanctity than
mere receipt, easily subject 10 couu
terfeit
Z. As . matter Of public policy
it was Of doubtful wisdom and ex
petiency, IS evidenced by the fss
that the Constitutional COnventiO
was split IN twain over it and mad
it an exception to the other articles q
tho Constitution by permitting th
Legislature in 1903 TO repeal Q
amend it without the usual formal
ties for amending the Constitution.
8. II 10 an unequal tax, . doll;
to one man representing . days har
}. labor, while to another it is an in6u
}. itisimal triAe.
i 9. It has had no effect whatevt
in eliminating the negro and curtai
mn hia nsrticinafiOn in uOlitical nj