Evening star., 1948-03-23
luck Urges Senators
To Leave Repeal Of
Poll Tax 10 States

I. Gov. Tuck Of Virginia today con-
tinued his assault on President Tru-
mans civil rights program by telling.
the Republican-controlled Senate
Rules Committee that, the States,
not the Federal Government, should
decide the question Of repeating the
poll tax
He joined the fight Of other
Southern Den, ocrats in an attempt
to head OF favorable committee ac-
ton on anti-poll tax legislation
which already has passed the House.
Such a Federal law, he argued,
would abolish one barrier against
Communism, because it would
break down States rights"
Only two weeks ago the Virginia
General Assembly passed legislation
to submit the question of poll tax
repeal to the voters In referendum
next year. NJ e:..s
Gov. Tuck was Joined by Repre-
sentative Almond, Democrat, of Vir-
ginia, the States attorney general
elect, in the opinion that it would
be unconstitutional to enact Fed
eral law to establish voters qualifi-
cations.
Unconstitutional. Almond Says.
A portion of Gov. Tuck's testi-
mony was enlivened when under
direct questioning by Senator Green,
Democrat, of Rhode Island the
Virginia chief executive said you
cannot make me recede," from the
belief that the States did not dele
gate authority to the Federal Gov
ernment to establish voting quail
fications."
Senator Green asked if ownership
Of property was, in the Governors
opinion, a valid qualification for
voting.
That is not for me to decide"
Gov. Tuck replied. "The question
of qualifications is a matter for the
people Of the States to determine.
It has not been a requirement of
the Virginia constitution since 1850"
When pressed further by Senator
Green as to whether race and own
ership of money could be employed
in determining qualifications, Gov.
Tuck said, "You are trying to inject
an unreasonable supposition in the
discussion"
Mr.. Almond followed Gov. Tuck
as a witness. Today was the second
day of the hearing, and proponents
will be heard tomorrow and Thurs
day.
The poll tax legislation is only
one feature of the Federal civil
rights program Of President Tru-
man to which Southern Democrats
have taken exception. Virginia led
the party rebellion by enactment,
less than two weeks ago, Of law
to permit shifting of the States II
electoral votes to some candidate
other than President Truman If he
is renominated at the Philadelphia
convention.
q. Mr.. Truman's name, however, will
appear on the ballot, but State OH
cials are depending on the leader
Slip Ol OS1ldOOA oy1u AAIA NV.
Tuck to defeat the national ticket
unless some one other than Mr..
Truman is nominated.
Maybank and Holland Heard.
Mr.. Almond said that II Congress
can abolish the poll tax 1t also can
allow morons and felons to vote.
Senator Maybank, Democrat, Of
South Carolina told the committee
that agitation" in Washington for
Federal action has harmed State
efforts for poll tax repeal.
I'VE have tried several times he
said, "to repear the law. The agita-
ton in Washington hurt us in our
efforts. We think every one of these
hearings and bills delay our work"
Senator Holland, Democrat, >of
Florida testified the antipoll tax
bill sis only part of y more COM
prehensive program" opposed by
the Southern States.
"It must be considered as part Of
that program and not alone" he