The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-08-24
Payment of Poll Tn1es.

Editor of The Times-Dispatch:
Sir.-I have read with much in
terest Senator Machen's open letter on
the payment of the poll tax as pre-
requisite to the right to vote.
He is undoubtedly right in the sug-
gestion that under the present law. re-
curing tho payment to be made at
least six months before the election.
usually the tax may be paid within a
short time of the county and State pri-
maries. which. for the most part are
the important elections; and thus the
real object Of the law is defeated, IL
that object be to require the payment
of the tax so long before the election
IS to practically insure It's payment by
the taxpayer himself,
But in suggesting nine months before
the election as the period at which tho
poll tax should be paid in order to en-
evidently loses sight of one thing:
The Constitution of Virginia (19o2)
section 1872, and the Acts of Assembly,
19o2-19Os 1904, PIP. 412. $50, provide
that In all incorporated cities and
towns the elections for Mayor and
Councilmen shall be held on the second
Tuesday in June.
Therefore. under Mr.. Machens provi-
sion, no one could vote in the municipal
elections held the second Tuesday in
before the second Tuesday in Septem-
Der of the preceding year, at which
time the tax bills would hardly be in
the hands of the treasurer In TACT, 1t
frequently happens that the commits
sioner's books are not in the hands of
the trea surer before October.
It 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 VIII not
quired to pay his poll tax by one time
in order that he may vote In certain
elections. and by another time In or
der that he may vote in other cleo
in certain other elections the prepay
ment of the poll tax is not pre-
requisite to the right to vote. And so
1t Is that many of our best and most
Intelligent citizens zen. are little be-
render conflicting decisions, and small
blame to them.
Over all the State, In the cities and
towns, / have no doubt that many eN-
cellent citizens were unable to vote in
the municipal elections this June, SIM
ply because their attention was fixed
on the fifth day of May as the time
by which the poll tax must be paid in
order that they might vote in the No
vember election for State and county
officers, and entirely overlooked the
important fact that this tax should
have been paid by. the eleventh day
might vote In the municipal elections.
And thus It happened that these good
citizens. many Of them Of the highest
| order of intelligence and patriotism,
were dlsfranchised by reason OF their
| unfamiliarity with a complicated law.
| And Mr. Machen's amendment, instead
Of affording them relief, will still fur
| ther confuse them.
Then. too. special elections are or
dered for various purposes. And while
| i do not undertake to say how such a
case would be decided in the event of a
\ ccntost, yet. 1t would seem from q
casual examination of section Fl OF
| the Constitution, that no person, unless
| exempt under section %. can vote In
a special election held to fill a vacancy
Tin an elective office, unless no has paid
his poll tax at least six months before
4 such election. SO voter who inva-
riably pays his tax by May in each
! wear in order to vote In the November
4 elections-and we have an election
\ every Novemher--might easily be taker
i by surprise and deprived of his right
i to vote in a special election held or
4 less than six months notice, to fill .
i vacancy. For example: II upon the
4 death of Congressman Rixey early y
4 February, the Governor had ordered
. special election to be held July list te
,|3fiillrthe vacancy, every voter In the dis
Of section al OF the Constitution i
J scorrect--who lad not paid his cap1 tatlo on
i tax by january. Yo vi y hNYes peen &c