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

that some candidates are paying, or
causing to be paid, the poll taxes OF
voters. 1t is TO be hoped that such
charges are not true in any case. The
constitution provides that the poll taxes
shall be paid by the voters personally
at least six months before the election at
which they offer to vote. The debates
in tie convention which framed the
constitution show that this period was
fixed because it was not thought that
any candidate would pay these taxes
that long before the election. But as
primaries are being held five or six
months before the regular elections, 1t
is possible for candidates to pay these
taxes almost Immediately before the
primaries, which really select the officers
and representatives in many parts OF the
State.
1t was evidently Intended by the con-
stitution that every voter should pay
his own tax, but the legislature has
failed to make that intention effective.
The writer introduced series OF bills
with that object at the last session, but,
in the rush of. other business, they were
not fully considered. 1t is earnestly
desired that the right-thinking people
and papers in the state will take this
matter up aud vigorously demand the
enactment of laws which will prevent,
as far as possible, the corrupt payment
of poll taxes. The old poll tax law be-
came PROLIFIC cause Of corruption and
the new one win have like effect un =
less carefully safeguarded.
1t would seem that now while the can
didates for The General Assembly are
being nominated is the proper time TO
agitste this matter and for the people to
require of every candidate to pledge
himself to support a measure with that
purpose.
The poll tax should be required 10 be
paid nine months before the election so
as to have it paid at least some months
before the primary. The treasurers
should be prohibited from receiving the
poll tax of any person rendered by
another unless the latter presents writ
ten authority TO be filed in the Office Of
the treasurer and open TO public inspec-
ton. Under the law now in force, as
construed by the Attorney General, the
treasurers are bound to receive the tax
no matter who tenders il.
The payment of the poll tex of any
person by another iol the purpose Of
securing or influencing that PERSONS
vote should be made a misdemeanor,
punishable by fne, imprisonment and
disqualification for Office. Any person
who allows his poll tax to be paid cor
ruptlY should be similarly punished and
not allowed to vote afterward.
Ii is possible that our present statute
against bribery, known as the Bsrksdale
law, would apply to these cases, for it
/, very broad and sweeping stat
ute. 1t would be interesting if
the grand juries would summon some
treasurers before them and also a few
hundred of those whose taxes are said to
have been paid by other people. A few
indictments would furnish an excellent
to test the law fully. fit is
found inadequate, other laws should be
at once passed. Every payment of
another's poll tax may not be corrupt,
but the practice is sure to have q corrupt
tendency. A good man may occasionally
err inlthst way through excess of zeal,
but bad man is more apt to do 30
through malice aforethought.
Every self-resPecting Virginian ought
to be willing to pay his poll tax for the
privilege Of voting. 1t is legal and
moral obligation for him to pay it
Sh .ther he votes or not. A man who is
100 mean to be willing, or too worthless
% be able TO contribute a dollar and
fifty cents year to support the public
schools and the local governments is an
citizen and should not be
BERN tied to vote. And the danger is
hat this class will make no effort to pay
heir poll lax but more and more Of them
will wait each year for some one to pay
be tax for them and the State will con-
'quently be deprived of more and more
# its revenue.
Above all things, the people should
et their faces sternly against the corrupt
lse of money in elections. 1t is debas-
ng and demoralizing alike to he people |
nd to their representatives. II ii is
a poor man will find it i'm
possible to aspire TO Office in Virgins. |
f candidate spends his own money |
avisbly to get himself elected he will be
empted to be CRATER after his election |
n order to get his money back. But If
';her individuals or private interests or
corporations put up the money for him !
o use corruplly they will expect to own
lin after bis election. 1t ia a matter of |
ommon knowledge and of common
hsme that many so-called public SER
ants are the mere tools and puppets Of
pecial interests.
The legislature can do much to puri-
= the ballot in this State, aud II should,
0 that end, enact a fair and effective
aw in regard to the payment of pol
axes. The independent and pnpurchas.
BILE press of the State can do much by |
be tx pOsure and condemnation Of wrong
rsctices, but the people can do most
f all by visiting sure and humiliating
efeat upon every candidate who employs
orrupt means. When crooked politics
eases TO be successful they will cease al
Ogether, and not before. Respectfully,
LEWIS II. MACHEN.
Virginia Weddings.
Miss Anna NJ. Arnold, daughter Of
lahlon d. Arnold, a wealthy citizen of
.ondoun conntv residing near 1 ,aeahuro