Evening star., 1942-08-06
Discusses Alleged Discrimination
OF Poll Tax in Eight States.


OF Poll Tax in Eight States.
10 the Editor Of The Star:
The rise Of Hitlerism In Europe came
as a result Of nom -vigilant suffrage.
Carelessness of the electorate led to
domination and control by one man.
In iT76 In Pennsylvania the payment
Of taxes was substituted for ownership
Of real property as . qualification for
voting. Then followed In nearly all
States Of the Union free manhood suf-
frage based only upon good character
and community residence. The poll tax
originally was used to extend suffrage,
not to restrict it. But since 1890 the
poll tax has been used in our Southern
States to restrict suffrage. In the con-
stitutional conventions OF many South
ern States 1t was stated that the pur-
pose of the poll tax was to "disfranchise
every Negro, without disfranchising a
single white man." Like most other
measures designed to limit the liberty
of class or group, the poll tax BOOM
eranged 80 as to restrict the voting
privilege for white men who were farm
ers and laborers. In most States the
poll taxes were to be paid at that season
of the year when the farmer and the
poor man had little money. It also was
put far enough of from election time
50 that the immediate needs Of poorer
people transcended the feeling Of need
for qualification for voting six months
hence.
Virginia in many respects has the
most rigid requirements Of any of the
eight Southern States still operating
under poll tax system. In Virginia the
voter must pay $3.50 each year at least
six months prior to election. and If he
has missed paying for three years he
must pay the tax and accrued interest,
which amounts to $3.50. The tax BE-
comes collectible only after three yeaes
have elapsed. Only two States have -
high q poll tax. Virginia Is one Of two
States making no exception on account
OF old age. The total tax furnishes but
2 per cent OF the total school fund.
The poll tax has operated so as to
make farce Of democratic elections.
Where 7oe Of the electorate voted in
non-poll tax States in 1910, in Virginia
only 26 per cent voted in the general
elections OF 1896. From one list Of reg
istered voters in nearby Virginia coun-
ty of TAB voters only 233 men and 1so
women were eligible to vote In this falls
election. The remainder had not been
reminded, or neglected to pay at least
one OF the taxes for the years 1899,
1910 or 1941.
Although every poll tax State forbids
by law the payment Of the poll tax by
third party, yet there is much evidence
to show that the faithful. even II on
relief are kept eligible. In one South
ern State where there was some COM
petition many voters suddenly became
eligible and the Governor attributed the
increase. to huge sums coming from out
side the State. It has been custom in
some areas to present lump sum pay
ment for the poll tax of voters who
were loyal to the group In power. In
this system the tax collector can be-
come a valuable aid to the party by
keeping tab on the wouldbe delinquents
for the bosses. Since, however, the elec-
torate is not widespread and small 1t
Is easier to prove less corruption in poll
tax States than in those commonwealth
where the voting population Is large and
crooked machine politics prevail.
Maryland's Governor and Mayor Jack
son Of Baltimore have become concerned
over the poor quality Of legislators the
State viii have a. moro and more the
| men Of worth and ability decline 10 run