The Washington times., 1904-01-31
VOTE OF ALABAMA
SHOWS FALLING OFF
Democrats Alarmed Over
Dwindling Vote.
POLL TAX Is REACTl0NARY
Prevents Whites as Well as Blacks
From Exercising the Right
of Suffrage.
POLL TAX IS REACTIoNARY

BIRMINGHAM. Ala, Jan. 30.-In their
eagerness to disfranchise the negro and
at the same time insure purity at cleo
lions. the makers OF the new constitu-
ton Of Alabama threw so many restric-
tions around the suffrage that II is now
apparent that a very large number Of
white people have been deprived of their
votes. and this number will increase
every year. Democratic leaders are sug-
costing the ACCESSIBILITY OF amending
the suffrage provision of the constitu-
ton so far as 1t relates to the paying Of
poll tax as a prerequisite OF voting
The new constitution Of Alabama has
been in effect slightly more than two
years. One election has been held since
its adoption.
At that election A., white men were
disfranchised because they had neglect
ed to pay their poll tax. Under the con-
stitution the poll tax must be paid not
only for the current year. but also for
every year since the adoption OF the
constitution TO entitle a citizen to vots.
The Poll Tax.
The poll tax in Alabama Is Sl5O a year.
The man who fails to pay one year must
therefore pay s. the next year IL he in
tends to vote II he should fail to pay
Tor TWO years. the third year he must
pay $3.50. and so on.
1t is now generally agreed that this
cumulative poll tax will result in con-
stantly increasing number of disfran-
easements.
How the restrictions thrown around
the exercise of the suffrage are working
70 decrease the number OF voters Is
finD oy a comparison OF the popula-
ZION or Alabama with the number OF
tnose entitled to vote. BY the census OF
1ygJ-Alabama had a population OF !. SOS
ss.' or whom 1.OOl, 152 were whites and
ez',S0a negroes.
Life Certificate Holders.
Under the registration plan provided
Tor by the new constitution. 1874. 472 got
life certificates. These life certificates
are OF no value. however. unless poll
taxes are paid yearly. OF the total reg
istration, Isl. 1872 are whites and $3.50 are
negroes
The first election held under the new
constitution was that in November 1902
LOT governor and other State officers
im nv edMteSolot the suffrage provision was
ton only 67,749 votes were cast for the
democratic candidate, and "a 100 for the
Eepuoncan candidate. making a total OF
sl,SSs. This was practically a white vote.
Failure to Pay Tax.
1t is plain that If 1900 white men-and
the estimate is conservative-failed to
pay their poll tax to vote in 1902, at least
as many more will fail 10 pay for the
two years that will have elapsed bv the
next election. There being no election
is5t year, the incentive to pay poll tax
was very small and IL IS exceedingly
likely that the total Acknowledgement
Tor non-payment Of poll tax by Febru-
airy l Of this year. after which time no
poll tax can be paid until the November
election is held. VIII reach 10000
Falling OFF in Eligibles.
A great many observers OF political
events declare that II this poll tax pro.
vision Is not changed. I'm ten years there
will be less than $1,000 eligible voter:
in Alabama. Notwithstanding the in
crease In population. While il was in
tended TO restrict the suffrage, the
makers of the constitution certainly had
no conception ef the practical working.
OF the plan.
The white people. of Alabama are yer,
much opposed 10 an aristOcratic electo
rate. which now seems inevitable
Therefore, mutterings are being heard
on all sides.
No Relief in Sight.
Bad as the situation is. there is nj
possible relief until the meeting OF tn,
next Legislature. four years hence
when IL Il certain that strong fgh
Will be made 10 amend the constitution
The present law appeals TO a certain
class OF men In the State who are really
Te1Oiced TO see a restricted electorate
as IL tnsures them power and there
fore IL is not unlikely that in the next
legislative campaign a fierce fractional
nght will be waged. one element o
the Democratic party contending for
modification of the poll tax provision
and the other insisting upon its main
tenance.