The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-10-26
SATURDAY, OCTOBER &c. 1907.
There 4. nothing stendfnst in life
but our memories. We arc sure or
. have forever Iost.-MndaHic SWEET
chine.
THE cAp1TATIoN TAX.

the upderWood Soisli'u''on
tile prepayment of thu capitation tax
was required as a prerequisite TO the
right to vote. But 1t proved to be the
source Of much abuse and corruption
In politics. The capitation tax of thou
sands OF delinquent negro voters was
paid or arranged by the manage
ment OF the party which controlled
them. and the people finally became
so disguised that they rose up in their
Indignation and repealed the ordinance.
but it's payment or n~on-payment hal
nothing to do with the voting qualifi-
cation, until the new Constitution of
1907 was adopted.
In writing the franchise ordinance
OF the new Constitution, the trainers
deemed 1t expedient to restore the CAPT
tation tax requirement, but, remember
ing former abuses. they provided that
the tax must be personally paid by
the voter six months before any cleo
ton in which he should offer to vote.
This does not mean that the tax must
be paid sin person for that express
sion was at first proposed, but after
wards changed to personally pay
in order TO prevent undue hardship in
some cases. 1t is not required. there
fore. that the voter must go in person
TO the treasurer's Office and place The
tax money in the hands of that Off.
tcial. If he should send the money, OF
its equivalent, by mail, or by the hands
of a proper agent. or IL he shoul get
come disinterested friend to pay 1t for
him, in either case, as we view 1t, he
would comply with the law.
But it would be contrary to the In
tent of the law for him to get a cam
didate for office, or any man who was
peculiarly interested in the nomina-
ton or election of any candidate for
. office, to pay his capitation tax. And
In saying this we are speaking of the
constitutional provision alone. regard
less of the pure-elections statute. The
word personally" was designedly in
serted in the ordinance for the pur-
pose, as already said, of preventing
political organizations, candidates for
office. or thexagents of candidates. from
tampering.wk4l voters and influencing
them with a consideration.
In addition to the organic law, the
pure-elections statute provides that mt
candidate for office shall eXpend, pay
promise, loan or become ~pecuniarilI
liable in any way for any money oil
other valuable thing to influence voter:
In his behalf. or permit the sam to b,
so used, with his knowledge and con
any election, primary or nominating
convention. 1t further provides tina
no person whatsoever shall eXpend
pay. promise to pay, loan or becom'
pecuniarily liable in any way for an.
money or other valuable thing in be
election, primary or nominating con
vention. In each case the penalty o
violation is a fine of not less than $40
nor more more than 1000. or contine
ment in jail not exceeding twelv
months.
AZ - peTlcGtiS c!eat, thefeloIe, Via
when the capitation tax is paid for an
voter by a party organization, or b
3 candidate for office, or his agent, tn
payment is not made in accordanc
with the constitutional requirement
and when such tax is paid by anothe
Tor the purpose of influencing the vot
Of the person for whom it is paid, tn
let is in violation of the pure-electlon
law