Jackson advocate. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1939-current, 1943-11-20
About The Negro And The Anti
Poll Tax Bill


Up in Washington where the antipoll tax bill is I'M
for possible consideration by the United States Senate
after passage again by the House Representatives Sena
tor Theo G. Bbo the states senior mcmber of the senate
has, with appropriate public announcement sharpened his
verbal rapier, armed himself with the Bbe and books
tracts, and opinions many irrelevant subject, in
preparation to talk the bill to DEATH if and when the
comes to debate before that august assembly
Early this week, the State Junior Senator James o
Eastand, Joined with Sera'or Mcclellan of Arkansas in
issuing statement in opposition to the BILL which, after
prasng racial coOperaion IN the SOUTH the charge
made that communists radicals and hybrid labor crgan-
cations within the democratic party the of
the BILL and that its passage would matey lead to the
adjustment Of the Electoral College, bring about National
MARRIAGE and Divorce laws the specialization of
United States The Joint statement further charges that
To dress the question in the draa+c role of the
question and to that cnv eight states involved
is smoke the of american sponsors
to conceal their reel dnsgrsthe eiination of state
SOVEREIGNTY and conettutora go,nroment and to de-
prve the American people of their boodbought heres
Dressed it is in the dramatic role of the race ques
hon the antipo tax bill, and the agitation that has de-
veoped along with it, both the part of those who
its and those who oppose its passage forms
of the most tragic chapters in the history of wartime
America To millions of Negroes throughout the nation
the anpon tax bill has been made to appear as final
remedy for all his complaints and disabilities political
civic socia mot Social Equatv) and economic and be-
Of this attitude his part the bitter debate
both Sides only lead the Negro from degree
of depression in spirit and morale to another
Frankly, there appears immediate change to come
with the of the antpol tax bill in the political
civic social mot social equatv) and economic conditions of
the Negro of south such change can only be brought
about by enlightened public opinion.
Indeed many intelligent observers of race relations
in the SOUTH where the Negro would it is claimed be
Their enfranchsed by the passage of the BILL the
opinion that the affects the bitter Debates and the
irrelevant issues brought forward have served to
hinder and defer the further ineation the Negro into
the political civic social (not social equality,
nomic life of the south by ntensifyng and revvng old
racial animosities.
In seeing the anti poll tax issue hinderng rather
than helping in the further Indignation of the Negro
the political civic, social mot social equality, and
nomc life of the SOUTH the fact remains however
the full enfranchisement the Negro will be of great
heneft to the south and the benefit would be great if
as would be the caset would have only the effect of
aboishng the appeals politicians and Others hatred
ignorance prejudice and i'll will the appeals to and fos
terng Of which has kept the south the backward
section in the nation for the past seventve years The
matter of such acknowledgements however well be
left to the south under whose influence, the slight
est advancement would be much secure and lasting
Nor is there total lack of evidence that much thought
and effort being given the problem brngne about
such change, by white leaders of imposing statute in
the south.
stating that the full enfranchisement of the Negro
would benefit the south there appears resultant danger
of break down in the principle of the separation of the
nor that there would necessarily follow National
Marriage and Divorce Laws. Indeed the danger of
grezaon appears greater under the condition of
the Negro than would result in his enjoyment of the full
franchise and political autonomy. In speech made in
the state some weeks ago. during which he invited dis
cusson of the question: the Junior Senator in pointing out
the dangers Of nermarriage and mongreizaton refer
ring history Egypt stated that when the Egyp
tians started mixing with ether all progress stopped
and Egypt has made progress in 5000 What the
leading authorities historians archaeoogist and Egyp
toogist say this question, whether they agree with
the Junior Senator not is of little Importance to the
question What important is that according to the
leading authorities the people with whom the Egyptians
became mixed snd ntermarried Egyptian slaves,
subjected the will and Jaws of the Egyptians There is
abundant historical evidence where different dwelling
in the same locality but enjoying political autonomy
4aos~ for
down to the present day.
Finally Negroes in Mississippi and in the SOUTH re
CARELESS of the future of the anpo tax BILL should be-
gin to pay their poll tax and seek t. qualify citizens OF
sraton of civic pride and responsibility to make them
their respective states under the existing law which IS
not altogether impossible and seek by greater demon
straon of civic pride and responsibility to make them
selves more worthy. in tho Of their neigh
bors of the high and sacred responsibility of the ballot