The Washington herald., 1907-04-27

Burlington. n. J., April 26.-Deprived Of
that freedom which alone could bring
cheer to his declining years, Ghoram Phil
lips. crippled and aged colored man. Of
Burlington. is a prisoner In the county
jail. at Mount Holly, n. J.. because he
owes the municipality OF Burlington 81
for poll tax and sl.75 for costs.
Phillips has been in the Mount Holly
Jail ever since August ., 1906, when he
was arrested by order Of the former tax
collector. William S. Smith. for neglect
ing TO pay mis- poll tax. It was under
the provision Of section 700 Of the revised
statutes of New Jersey that Phillips was
arrested, and which became a law IN 1890
Example of Aged Cripple.
This law. which has often had delin-
quent taxpayers on the guessing list. re-
quires that the tax delinquent must be
sent 20 the county jail until the tax is paid.
Unless a man so sentenced has friends
kind enough to come TO his relief, he must
remain Ia jail until released by death or
until the tax and the costs are paid.
Phillips. who has been cripple since
his birth. eked out a miserable existence
Gaming chairs IN Burlington and vlcinlty.
OF late years business has been duh with
him, and his old age interfered with what
orders he received. The tax collector was
after him repeatedly to pay his tax, but
he always eluded him So Smith, the col
lector, concluded he would arrest the Grip
pied cOlored man ana send him 20 the
county jail. as an example 10 the other
RrrlfnufDFfnn ~
eral delinquent in their taxpaying.
Deformed Since Boyheod.
Ever since his boyhood days Phillips
has had to shift for himhelf In his Grip
pied condition about the streets Of Bur
hngtoa. One of his legs has been
deformed since his birth There is one
act In Phillips life So heroic that 1t has
overshadowed in the minds Of many Bur
lngtonians whatever faults he may have
Years ago, when he was a young man.
an epidemic Of smallpox broke out in
Burlington. There was one man, Frank
StoweI residing on the outskirts of the
town. who fell "a victim To the disease in
its most malignant form. ii was impOs-
sible TO get any one to attend him, and
AT last the physician having charge OF
the case called for volunteers There was
but one 10 answer the call. and that was
Phillips-he who is now langUishing be
hind prison bars.
Phillips attended the sick man until he
died. Then. ploddial- back 10 the town.
he was Informed tina. he could not enter.
Back to the big woodlands on the out
skirts Of the city Philips went, stoned. as
II were, like the ieper Of old. For weeks
he made the green woods his home There
he remained until the public thought it
wise 10 let him enter the city
MAJ or Calls IL Outrage.
One day this week. while Mayor c. Tay-
Tor Rue. of Burlington, was making a trip
through the county jail, the aged eolored
man, peering through the bars, caught a
glimpse OF him.
Hey, there, Mister Mayori" be shouted,
can't you get me out of here" Mayor
Hue did not know the man at FIRST glance.
so passed on. Later he was informed OF
Phillips plight. and promised 10 see what
be could do FOR him.
Il think it Is an outrage" the mayor
said to-day. TO keep that man in Jail
for such an offense. It Is a wonder TO me
that the county board OF freeholders stand
FOR It, I understand that 10 get the man
out il is necessary FOR the city coun-
ell 10 remit the tax and costs. I will
bring the matter 10 the councils atten-
ton next meeting night and If some ac-
ton for the mans freedom is not taken
l will see that his tax is paid and he is
given his liberty