The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-02-28
CITY PRIMARY
 NEXT MONDAY Important Question About the
 1901 Poll Tax THERE IS 4 CONTENTION 
Democratic Committee Has Decided to Vote All Who Have Registered and
 Paid for 1902, Regardless of 1901.

An interesting question has arisen in Birnnghams municipal political affairs that may affect very materially the out come or the primary Monday if the con tentions of some politicians are correct.
 The question is in regard to the eligi- biity to vote of those who have paid their poll tax for 1902 but have not paid their poll tax for 1901. It is said there are about 5c0 who have registered and who have not paid their 1901 poll tax, though they hold receipts for the payment of the tax for 1902.
 In regard to this question there are conflicting opinions. Some contend that no man can vote in primary who can not cast his ballot in a general election, and hence the constitutional provision that a voter must pay his 1901 poll tax, as well as the tax for 1902, will apply to the primary Monday.
 The Constitution.
 The constitution on this point reads as follows:
 One Hundred and Seventy -eight-To entitle a person to vote at any election by the people, he shall have resided in the state at least two years, in the county one year, and in the precinct or ward three months immediately preceding the election at which he offers to vote, and he shall have been duly registered as an elector and shall have paid on or before the first day of February next preceding the date of the election at which he offers to vote, all poll taxes due from him for the year 1901, and for each subsequent year; provided, that any elector who, within three months next preceding the date of the election at which he offers to vote has removed from one precinct or ward to another precinct or ward in the same county. incorporated town or city. shall have the right to vote in the pre- cnct or ward from which he has so re- moved, if he would have been entitled to vote in such precinct or ward but for such removal"
 The Pettus Law.
 Chairman John F. Antwne. of the city democratic executive committee when asked about the matter last night said:
 "The fact that we are still working un- der the old Pettus primary law, there being no new law as regards this since the adoption of the new constitution, the committee has decided to consider in the primary Monday only the life registration certificates and poll tax receipts for 1902.
 We will also request registrars on election day to register and vote all young men who have become of age since the closing of the granting of life registration certificates, and those who have failed to register because of being out of the city or kept away on account of sickness at the regular registration period"
 The Candidates. 5
 John c. Pugh, campaign manager for George B. Ward, candidate for mayor. said last night
 "The victory of MT. Ward becomes a more assured fact each day, and the thinking voter Is convinced of this by the frantic efforts of Drennen's headquarters to confuse the public by boasted claims. '' c, S. Simmons. campaign manager for Mayor Drennen, says that everything looks bright for Drennen's reelection and that he Is well satisfied with the re- ports he receives from different parts of the city.