The Dallas express. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1893-1970, 1920-01-03
BY DISCHARGED SOLDIERS AND
SAILORS. PASSED By THE 18TH
LEGISLATURE AT IT'S FIRST
CALLED SESSION,
BE 1T ENACTED BY THE
LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE
OF TEXAS:

OF TEXAS:
Section Whereas the United
States has been at war with the I'm
perial German Government since the
7th day of April, A. D.. 1917; and
whereas said war has called from
the peaceful pursuits and ordinary
avocations more than $4,000 citi-
zens of Texas and taken said citi-
zens from their homes and usual
places of abode into military can
tonments and foreign countries as
soldiers, sailors and marines and
prevented them from exercising the
ordinary privileges of citizens of the
State; therefore, it is declared that
said war is, within the terms and
provisions of Section 10, Article
of the Constitution of the State, a
great public calamity in all the coun-
ties, cities and towns of this State
and, whereas, the said citizens as
soldiers, sailors and marines; in the
various department and divisions of
the military service embraced within
these terms, have been prevented, by
reason of their service and obedience
to the laws, rules and regulations
of the military service, and by rea-
son of the inadequate provisions of
the laws of this State, from paying
their poll taxes under the provisions
of Section 2, Article of the Con-
stitution of this State, and, by reas-
on of the great calamity of war as
| aforesaid, have been so prevented ;
and, whereas, it is declared in Sec
ton 9, Article 16 of the Constitution
of Texas that absence on business
of the United States shall not for
felt residence once obtained so as
| to deprive anyone of the right OF
suffrage therefore, it is declared
that said sailors, soldiers and ma
rines should not, and ought not, to
be compelled to pay poll taxes, due
or assessed against them for the
years A. D., 1918, and A. d. 1919;
and, whereas, it is declared in Sec
ton 3, Article / of the Constitution
of Texas, that "All free men, wheI
they form a social compact, have
equal rights and no man or set Of
men is entitled to exclusive separate
public emoluments or privileges, bu
in consideration of public services"
it is hereby declared by the Legisla
ture of Texas that the services il
said war of said soldiers, sailor!
and marines were and are publ,
services" within the meaning of sait
provision of the Constitution of Tex
as. And it is here declared that sucl
sailors, soldiers and marines in con
sideration of public services are en-
| tn 10
emoluments and privileges.
Section 2.-That, therefore, by tn
authority of Section 10, Art. 8, ant
Section 3, Article /, of the Consti
tuition of this State, the Legislator,
of this State, by vote of two-third
of each House, duly entered and re
corded thereon, does hereby releas,
70 the said soldiers, sailors and ma
rines the payment of all poll taxe
which may have been or may be lev
led against them for the years A
D. 1918, and A. D. 1919.
Sec. 3.-It Is further declared tina
it shall not be necessary for salt
discharged sailors, soldiers and ma
ilege of suffrage and vote at al
elections held within the State o
Texas during the years 1919 and 1920
to hold poll tax receipt showing
any poll tax paid before the LIST da!
of February next preceding sucl
election, or paid at any time there
tofore or thereafter, as provided il
Article 2942, Chapter 4. Title 40 o
the Revised Civil Statues of the Stat,
of Texas of 1911.
Sec.4-All such discharged sailors
soldiers and marines coming within
the terms and provisions of this Act
when they present themselves at tn,
proper place, which proper place
shall be the place of residence o
such person at the time of enlist
ment, or the place Of residence &C
quired since his discharge, and whit
is otherwise, qualified voter at sucl
place for voting; that is, at the plac
of their residence at the time o
joining the Army, Navy or Marine
of the United States, shall exhibi
to the election officers, their dis
charge from the military or nave
service of the United States, Showing
their service in the present war, o
If such discharge is lost, misplace,
or in the hands of the Federal Gov
eminent, then they shall make
written affidavit to such fact, stating
in the face of the affidavit, the uni
In which they were serving at tn
time of their discharge. and, as nea
as may be, the date and place of thei
discharge and present place of resi-
dence. Said affidavit may be mad
before any officer authorized to ad
minister oaths or by the officers D
any officer authorized to administe
oaths. Upon presentation of sucl
discharge or the making of such af
fidavit, if the voter is otherwis,
qualified, except having paid his pol
tax. then he shall be qualified to vot,
and shall be permitted to vote a
any election held within the Stat
of Texas. If an affidavit is made
then the affidavit shall be filed will
the election officers and shall bt
preserved in a box or receptacle il
the same manner that ballots are
preserved. II a voter presents his
discharge, then a memorandum of the
contents of the discharge shall be
made by one of the election officers
and shall be filled by him and pre-
served in the same manner that af-
fidavits are required to be preserved
under this Act; provided, that the
terms and provisions of this Act
shall apply only to such discharged
sailors, soldiers and marines as may
have received honorable discharges
from their respective branches of the
military service.
Section 5.--All ballots voted under
this Act shall be written or stamped
on the back thereof by the election
officers or under their direction, and
contain the words discharged sol
diers' ballot" before said ballot may
| be voted or counted. II shall be