The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-03-18
STRIKES At ROOT
OF POLITICAL EVIL
Supreme Court Holds That Voter Must Pay His Poll Tal
in Person, and Thus Ends Corrupting
Custom in State.

each county and city shall, at least
I'VE months before each regular cleo.
ton. file with the clerk OF the Circuit
ton Court of his city. "a list OF all
persons In his county or city who have
paid not later than six months prior
TO such election the State poll taxes
REQUIRED by this Constitution during
the three years next preceding that In
which such election is held"
Judge Buchanan declares in his opin.
ion that II this language were con.
strued without reference to other pro,
visions of Article II. 1t might be broad
enough to permit the treasurers to
include the names of all whose poll
taxes had been paid, whether personal.
ly or not.
"But,' says the court, ain constituting
the language quoted. the other provI-
visions of that article of the Constitu-
ton herring upon the same subject
must be considered under the settled
rsie of interpretation. TINT the mean
Ing of any particular provision in nm
instrument Il to be nscertnined by con-
side ring the whole and every part, md
that the general intent of Its trainers
must he kept In view in determining
the scope and meaning of any part.
"By section 20 of that article X IN
provided TINT my male citizen having
the qualifications OF nEs and residence
required by section 10 shall be entitled
to register, provided, among other
things. that he has personally paid ia
the proper officer all State poll taxes
which are required to be paid by him
az condition precedent TO his right
to register
"By section II 1t is provided TINT
any person registered under sections
10 and 20. shall, unless exempted by
right to vote after the first dny OF
january, 1904, personally pay at least
.ix months prior to the election NIL
M vsnh Inv LII
tion during the three years next pre-.
ccdinE thst In which he offers to vote!
Clear to the Court.
at Is clear from the language of
sections 20 and II TINT the poll taxes
which n person is required to pay ms
or vote must must be personally paid.
The principal, II not the only purpose
for which the list is required to be
written n eridenee that the M persons som.
named In the list hnyc complied with
the provisions of the Constitution in
paying their poll tax, SO fur ms such
payment Is made AZ prerequisite to
The court says that this appears
from subsequent provisions OF that
section, which are quoted st length in
the opinion.
VIII Assist Officers.
1'When nll the provisions of Article
together, us they should be in constru-
ing section 80, in the light Of the evil
which wa. Intended to be rene died."
continues the court, 1--WE think that 1t
IL clear that the treasurer should EN-.
brace In the list the names of only
such persons ms had personally paid
their poll tnxes. II this be done, then
the list will accomplish the purpose
for which 1t was intended, the courts
and Judges will not be required to
place upon the list, I'm correcting 1t,
the names OF persons who arc not en-
title to vote. aud the Judges of elec-
ton will have before them evidence
which shows, primn facie Mt lenst, who
have paid their poll taxes, MS required,
M prerequisite to their right to
vote.
eve are of opinion, therefore, that
the Court of Law and Chancery erred
In sustaining the demurrer to the petit
tIon of the plaintiffs In error for
mnntlnmus, and in dismissing tho same.
It's Judgment must, therefore, be set
inside. the demurrer ovcrruled and the
cause rcmnnled to that court. with
directions to grant the relief prayed
for, unless the defendant has made
and fled since the beginning of this
proceeding such II list as lie Is re-
Guired to file under section 3S of the
Constitution as construed by this court
III this ODinjOn.v