The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-02-12
ESSENTIAL TO runE OBJECTIONS.


II is to be regretted tina. the Com
'hi'tcs on Privileges and Elections OF
me House of Delegates, in reporting
favorably the Chalkley bills designed
10 prevent and punish bribery in cleo
lions, did not also approve the bill 10
FORBID the payment OF poll taxes for
another. This measure was introduced
by John w. Chalkicy, of Wise. lead
ing Democrat OF the Ninth District,
ana by A. Il. Robertson, of Leo. n lead
ing Republican. who represent fairly.
we are Informed and believe. the wishcs
OF the best element in both the parties
in the Ninth Congressional District.
The objection In committee was
raised BY Walter Tansin oliver, of
Fairfax, who said he is frequently
asked by friends to settle their car
itation taxes. for which he is repaid
at the earliest oppcrtunity. He feared
that the bill would prevent such pruc-
Hcss and would cmharrass men who.
like himself. innocently extend these
courtesics to ac0uaintanccs.
But Mr.. oliver should consider Tho
dilemma OF the people OF the Ninth
District who desire to be rid OF ,ho
practices which have unfortunately
grown UP IN that and other districts
in the State, involving the use of large
sums OF money 10 influence the result
OF elections. The payment OF capita
uon taS's by another than the voter
has been fruitful cause OF the stu
alton which now practically prevents
any person not in possession of large
fortune becoming an aspirant ior any
office of Importance at tho hands OF
tho people of the Southwest.
The use of money in the prepayment
OF poll taxes began with the Republr-
cans in 1905, tho FIRST opportunity given
under the new Constitution Then it,
was done spasmodcally ana rather
fearfully. by 1906 the leaders of the
party had become boldsr, and the lists
were scanned carefully and taxes paid
by the wholesale. In that year the Re
publican leaders devised the plan OF
ostcns!bly lending the money 10 the
voters. taking promissory notes there
for. 1t is useless TO say that no de-
mand was ever made for payment OF
these notes. After the time had passed
in May OF 1906 for the payment OF the
TAX. In order to vote In the ensuing
November election. the Republicans
hoasteH that they had already won the
iight-this months before the party
candidates had even been nominated
1t was but STEP to tho prepayment
Of capitation taxes by party manhsers
who took the money to the trea sprers'
offices and paid by wholesale That
this psacticc was confined mainly 10
Republicans in 1905 was probably dun
10 the fact that their party was the
only one which had any money Trib-
ute was levied on every Federal Office
holder In tho state, while the d emo
Gratis had no such source of income.
So when 1910, game both sides were
ready 10 use all. .ioncy they could
secure This cam, IN .sroat volume,
and its use is nattor OF well-under-
stood history-was openly mentlone>.
and deplored in committee few days
ago by Mr., chalkley and By II. Tate
Irvine.
Following that contest the moral
sense OF the men OF both parties be.
came aroused. ana the bills now pend
ing in the legislature, asked for By
Judge Skeen and Judge phlogar and
Mr. Irvine, arc the expression OF the
desire of the people that a eheoi, bc
placed on the custom, 50 that those