Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1918-08-30
ACT NO 81

L.
Senate Bill No. 199-By Mr. Thoele
AN ACT
To amend and re-enact Act No 81 of
the Extra Session of 1927 entitled "A
JOINT resolution proposing an amend
ment to Article 1913 Of the Constitu-
ton or the State of Louisiana, ex-
empting persons in the military serv-
Ice from the payment of poll taxes"
Section l. Be it enacted by the Gen.
eral Assembly of the State of Louisiana.
That the title to Act No. so of the Ex-
ira Session of 1917 be amended and re-
enacted so as to read as follows:
A joint resolution proposing an
amendment to Article 1913 OF the Con-
stitution of the State of Louisiana. ex-
empting persons in the military serv-
Ice from the payment Of poll taxes; and
authorizing them to participate in pri-
maries and other nominating elections
without registration or the payment OF
poll taxes.
Section 2. Be it further enacted. etc.
That Section l of said Act be amended
and re-enacted so as to read as fol-
lows:
Be 1t resolved by the General Assem-
bly, of the State of Louisiana, two
thirds OF all the members elected to
each House concurring, That at the
election for members of Congress to be
held in this State on the 7th day of
November, 1918. there shall be sub
mitted to the qualified electors of the
State. for their approval or rejection.
the following amendment to the Con-
stitution:
Art. 1913. No person less than sixty
years of age shall be permitted to vote
at any election in the State who shall
not, in addition to the qualifications
above described, have paid on or before
the 31st day of December of each year.
for the two years preceding the year
in which he offers to vote, a poll tax
of one dollar per annum, to be used ex-
clusively in aid OF the public schools
of the parish in which such tax shall
have been collected: which tax IL here
by imposed on every male resident OF
this State. between the ages of twenty
one and sixty years. Poll taxes shall be
a lien only upon assessed property, and
no process shall issue to enforce the
collection OF the same except against
Every person liable for such tax
shall. before being allowed to vote. ex-
hibit to the Commissioners Of Election
his poll tax receipts for two years.
Issued on the official form, or duplicate
thereon. In the event of loss. or proof
OF payment Of such poll taxes may be
made by a certificate Of the tax col
lector. which shall be sent to the Com
missioners of the several voting pre-
paid said two years poll taxes as above
provided. and the dates Of payment. II
is hereby declared to be forgery. and
punishable as such. for any tax col
alter, a poll tax receipt. Any person
who shall pay the poll tax OF another
or advance him money for that pur-
pose. in order to influence his vate.
shall be guilty Of bribery and punished
accordingly. The provisions OF this
article as to the payment Of poll taxes
shall not apply to persons who are deaf
and dumb. or blind. nor to persons un-
der twenty-three years Of age who have
paid all poll taxes assessed against
To lv AAA v~nsl a.
service of the State or Of the United
States. during a time Of war: nor to
persons who entered the military serv-
ice. as aforesaid, after the first Of Jan..
uary. 1915. and who have since been
honorably discharged. provided that
such persons shall pay ell poll taxes
assessed against them after said dis,
charge: provided. that any person in
the military or naval service of the
United States. shall. during the war.
without either registration or the pay
ment OF poll taxes. be permitted to vote
IN all primary elections, or sign NOM
mating papers, for State and Congress
sional candidates: provided. that II such
would be otherwise qualified to partic-
tpate in such elections.
This amendment. II adopted, shall
validate any legislation enacted at the
regular session of 1918. authorizing
military electors to vote, where such
legislation would be invalid without
this amendment.
Section 3. Be 1t further enacted. etc,
That the official ballot to be used in
such election shall have printed thereon
the words:
For the proposed amendment to the
exempting soldiers and
sailors from the payment of poll taxes"
And the words:
Against the proposed amendment to
the Constitution exempting soldiers
and sailors from the payment OF poll
taxes"
FERNAND MOUTON.
Governor and President of
the Senate.
HEWITT BOUANCHAUD.
Speaker Of the House OF Representa-
tives.
Approved: July IL. 1918.
r. G.. PLEASANT
Governor of the State OF Louisiana.
A true copy:
JAMES J. BAILEY,
Secretary of State