Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1907-06-22
THE POLL TAX.

To the Editor Of the Alexandria Gazette.
/ have just read with much interest
Senator Mschen's open letter on the pay
ment of the poll tax as a prerequisite to
the right to vote.
He is undoubtedly right in the sug-
gestion that under the present law, re-
curing the payment to be made at least
six months before the election, usually
the tax may be paid within short time
of the county and State primaries, which
for the most part are the important cleo
tions and thus the real object of the law
is defeated, if that object be to require
the payment of the tax so long before
the election as 10 practically insure its
payment by the tax payer himself
But 10 suggesting nine months before
the election IS the period at which the
poll tax should be paid in order to en-
title the tax payer to vote, Mr.. Machen
evidently loses sight of one thing:
The constitution of Virginia (902),
sec. 122, and the acisof assembly, 1902
O9-O4 PIP. ALP, and $50, provide that in all
incorporated cities aud towns the elections
for mayor and cOuncilmen shall be held
on the second Tuesday in June.
Therefore, under Mr.. Machen's pro-
vision, no one could vote in the munich
pal elections held the second Tuesday in
June unless he had paid his poll tax before
the second Tuesday 10 September OF the
proceeding year, at which time the tax
bills would hardly be in the hands Of
the treasurer. In fact, it frequently
happens that the commissioners books
are not in the hands of the treasurer be-
| fore October.
1t seems to me the law ought to be
uniform. Certainly the present law is
very confusing to many voters. And
Mr.. Machen's proposed change will not
make it less 80. The tax payer is re-
CURED to pay his poll tax by one time
in order that he may vote in certain
elections; and by another time In order
to vote in other elections. And l be-
lieve it is claimed that in certain other
elections the prepayment of the poll tax
is not prerequisite 10 the right to vote.
And so it is that many OF our best and
most intelligent citizens are a little be-
wildered; and the judges ofelection rem
der conflicting decisions, aud small
blame to them.
Over all the State 10 the cities and
towns, have no doubt that many ex-
cellent citizens were unable to vote in
the municipal elections this June, aim
ply because their attention was fixed
on the 9th day of May as the time by
which the poll lax must be paid in order
that they might vote in the November
election for State and county officers
and entirely overlooked the important
fact that this tax should have
been paid by the lth day of last Novem-
Der 10 order that they might vote in the
municipal elections. And thus it hap
pened that these good citizens, many of |
them of the highest order of intelligence |
and patriotism, were disfranchised by |
reason Of their unfamiliarity with COM
plicated law. And Mr.. Machen's amend
ment, instead of sfording them relief,
will still farther confuse them.
Then, too, special elections are Or
dered for various purposes. And while
! do uot undertake to say how such q
case would be decided in the event of
contest, yet it would seem from a casual
examination of section 81 of the consti.
tuition that no person, unless exempt
under section %, can vote in a special
election held to fill a vacancy in an
elective Office, unless be has paid bis
poll tax at least six months before such
election. So a voter who invariably
pays his tax by May in each year in or
der 10 vote in the November elections
and we have an election every Novem-
ber-might easily be taken by surprise
and deprived of bis right to vote in &
special election held on less than
six months notice, to eli vacancy. For
example: If upon the death of Congress
man Rixey, early in February, the Gov
ernor had or iered special election to
be held July to fill the vacancy, every
voter in the district, assuming the above
construction of section 81 of the Con-
sitution is correct, who had not paid
his capitation tax by January would
have been deprived OF his right to vote
in such special election. Mr.. Mschen's