Evening star., 1943-06-03
Lucas and EIIender
Debate Poll Tax Ban
In Radio Forum
Senators Disagree on
ConstitutionoIity Of
Restricting States

Two Senators last night discussed
the poll tax issue in the National
Radio Forum. with arguments CEN
terlng around the conStitutionality
of a Federal ban on such a voting
prerequisite.
Senator Lucas, Democrat, of Illi-
nois spoke in favor of the removal
of the poll tax by Federal law and
Senator Ellender, Democrat, of
Louisiana spoke in opposition.
The National Radio Forum is 4
Blue Network feature arranged by
The Star and broadcast locally from
Station WMAL.
Concern Over Voting Cited.
Stating that America never has
passed through period since the
Constitutional Convention when citi-
zens were so concerned with the
right to vote as they are today,
Senator Lucas said:
Certainly individuals who are
physically and mentally strong
enough to fly plane, man tank.
carry a machine gun and kill the
enemy have the necessary qualifica-
right of franchise on election day.
Surely, my friends, it is not ask
ing too much that men, whether
they be white or black. living in
States which require payment of
poll tax to vote, should not be denied
the right to vote if they are willing
to shoulder a gun and die, if ne
ceSSary, for the flag
Reviewing the work at the Consti-
tutional Convention, Senator Ellen
der said Congress has no authority
to legiSlate on matters which have
been specifically reserved to the
States.
Challenges Authority.
Congress, he said. has no right
to pass laws affecting the internal
affairs of the States unless our Fed
eral Constitution gives it such a
right.
Any schoolboy knows that the
States have the undiSputed right to
fix the qualifications for those who
vote for the election of the members
of their respective Legislatures. The
provision OF our Constitution guar
anteeing that right has never been
modified. but on the contrary. it was
reaffirmed when our Federal Con-
stitutlon was amended to permit the
election of United States Senators
by direct vote of the people
Senator Lucas said it was his belief
that Federal law banning a poll
tax would be constitutional. He
said:
mately be decided by the Supreme
Court of the United States. but, my
friends. I undertake to say that the
Constitution IS not static organism
of government. If so, it would have
been outmoded in the long ago For
$50 Years it has withstood the test
Of time and change. and that is
primarily true because the powers
enunclated therein have been broad
enough to embrace everyday con-
dltlonS as We progress from one
generation to another.
Grows With Times.
The Constitution, because of its
inherent. it's expressed and implied
powers, has fortunately grown along
with the times and one of the funda-
mental principles of constitutional
government from the beginning has
been that men should have the right
to vote freely and without any un-
reasonable restraint.
L am satisfied that if and when
this legislation reaches the Supreme
Court its constitutionality will be
upheld. I do not believe that any
unreasonabl BILE restrictions and re-
eulations, which I conceive the poll
tax to be, can be placed by any
State on one who seeks to vole for
Federal officer
Senator Ellender, who pointed out
that aS member Of the Louisiana
Legislature he had voted for enact
ment OF law which abolished the
poll tax in that State, stated that
Federal law would be a direct ell
croachment" on States rights.
Sees Blow to Unity.
although the poll tax bill" he
said, has no merit in the light of
our Constitution. although it is a
direct encroachment on States
rights, many are willing to foster