Jackson advocate. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1939-current, 1944-12-30
Something About The Right Of Negro
Citizens In The South To Vote

Evidence OF deep sincere conviction the part OF
a widespread and growing number of Southern white
people to rid the south of its evil the dsfranchise
ment of its Negro citizens may be easily observable i'll
the conference of white and Negro newspapermen held
in Atlanta Georgia last week. considering mainly the
question of the abolition of Poll Tax regarded by many
the chief impeachment in the pathway of Negro citizens
of the south to the ballot box And while the conference
there appears evidence of deep and sincere conviction on
the part of widespread and growing number of Southern
white people to rid the south of it's evil the dsfran
chsement of its Negro citizens there certain phases
of the matter that to Negroes well white people, who
appreciate the magnitude of the issue of the Negroes
right and opportunity vote in the SOUTH that appear
much and therefore of greater Importance than
the requirement of the of tax by certain states
for the privilege of exercising the right to vote.
Before considering what appears to be the more real
and important phases the issue it perhaps well to
here point the fact that there is still powerful force
ready and able to put up mighty fight against this adj
in the SOUTH and nothing brings this fact more
to the attention Of those who mindful OF the realities
involved than the widespread publicity and editorial COM
ment in the southern daily press regarding statement
allegedv made by Rev A Clayton Powell recently elect
the House of Representatives, of the Congress OF
the United States to the effect that if the poll tax was
abolished he would down and for Governor OF
Mississippi While believing that if Congressman Elect
Powell made such statement, it was made INCEST
and believing that such jest reveals total lack OF ap
probation of the magnitude and realities OF the issue
upon his part there appears the evident fact that the
widespread publicity given to the alleged remark was
timed to offset possible the good efforts of the Atlanta
Conference upon public opinion in the south.
From those who oppose the right and opportunity OF
the Negro vote in the South upon the argument that
groes all the high public Offices and control the pot-
cal life of the SOUTH single state though the
voting population equally proportional to advance
the idea that Negroes the south would exhibit greater
political unity than other people, and that all Negroes
could be united upon single issue and single CANDIDATE
to the of all Others despite the fact that there
such evidence of community political coheslon ana
unity of social outlook the known history of the world
One condition that would certainly result from the
Negro of the south having the right will be that OF DIS
couragng the politicians of the south from making thes
bitter speeches directing their appeals to prejudice ana
Ignorance means by which bitter hate and suspicion
has been kept constantly alive in the SOUTH and by Whlc
the people have been kept constantly bhnd TO tne Ie
issues confronting them. This alone would be OF ntest
mabe value to the SOUTH and hasten its day of well rounded
noca economical and social development by many years.
While believing in the general principal and idea be-
hind the efforts abolish the poll tax the real and tnere
fore more important impeachment in the pathway OF the
Negro of the south towards the franchise and the fg
to vote is the right of comparatively INSIGNIFICANT puoc
officials to determine the right and qualification OF the
Negro citizens to vote after having PAID the
ed poll tax The poll tax not being the only quacato
that Negroes must meet those who In the rght OF Tie
Negro to day of progress and deVeiopment III
the south must ere the final results attack the prooe
all