Evening star., 1949-10-18
Boothe Expects
POLL ||TaxChanqe
ToBeDefeated
Alexandria Hears
Debate on Proposed
Amendments
By John V. Homer

ny John V. horner
Delegate Armistead L. Boothe of
Alexandria, last night predicted
that Virginia voters will reject the
Campbell suffrage amendments,
although he advocated their adop-
ton.
In a debate arranged by the
Alexandria League of Women
Voters. Mr.. Boothe teamed with
former State Senator William D.
Medley to argue the case for" the
proposed Constitutional changes.
The controversial issue will be
decided in a referendum Novem-
ber 8.
The negative side was presented
by Martin A. Hutchinson of Rich
mond, and Delegate Robert White
head of Nelson County.
Many Attend Debate.
Several hundred persons at.
tended the debate in George
Washington High School. They
could hardly have heard a more
authoritative group of speakers.
Mr.. Medley was a member of
the commission headed by Stuart
B. Campbell. of Wytheville, which
drafted the proposals. He and
Delegate Boothe belong to the
Byrd organization. Mr.. Hutchin-
son and Mr.. Whitehead are un-
swerving opponents of the organ
ization. The Nelson delegate has
been fighting the suffrage amend
ments almost from the start.
A paramount provision of the
amendments is repeal of Virginia S
law requiring poll tax payments
as a prerequisite to voting. Ordi-
narily. this would attract anti
organization support.
Issues Complicated.
The issues are complicated,
however, because ballots must be
marked for" or against the en-
tire block OF IA amendments.
None can be singled out by the
voter. The Hutchinson Whitehead
team objected to some of the
least-discussed provisions.
Mr.. Hutchinson complained that
Virginia was being offered a
"hand-me-do Constitution. He
held it was being "handed-down"
by the Legislature. as the legis-
lators saw fit.
In substance, said Mr.. White
head. the proposed amendments
deny that the right to vote is a
right which should be guaranteed
by the Constitution. They pro-
vide in effect that regulation of
the conditions Of voting should be
left to the General Assembly and
should depend not upon Consti-
tutional guarantee but upon the
changing opinions of the legisla-
tive body"
Fresh Start Urged.
He said the wise course is to re-
ject the amendments and start
afresh" so the people of the
State can vote directly upon poll
tax repeal.
Mr.. Boothe informed the au-
dlence that Mr.. Whitehead per-
sonally wants to retain the poll
tax.
Hell tell you so, himself" Mr..
Boothe said. Mr.. Whitehead made
such a statement to reporters be-
fore the meeting. No one in the
audience questioned him about
the point.
Both Mr.. Boothe and Mr.. Med
ley conceded that the amend
ments ARE not perfect" and dc
not represent their exact ideas
They said, however. that they
would bring a real advance over
existing laws.
Mr.. Medley emphasized that
the commission which drafted the
proposals was comprised of prom
inent. capable and independents
thinking citizens. He mentioned
and described some:
Chairman Campbell, "a distin-
guished lawyer whose indepen-
dence of thought is not ques-
toned" Federal District Judge
John Paul, Of Harrisonburg, a Re-
publican; DR.. Charles j. Smith
president of Roanoke College, a
Lutheran minister and a political
liberal.
Suffrage Laws Studied.
Mr.. Medley said the commission
studied Constitutions and suf-
frage laws in most of the States.
It recommended what it consid-
cred best, he declared.
Mr.. Medley and Mr.. Boothe
said that, with the abolition OF
the poll tax it would become nee
essary to have some means of
checking on the electorate. For
this reason, annual registration
was recommended. They pointed
out that any voter automatically
would reregister by casting a bal
lot in any election.
They said by vesting certain
rights in the Legislature, the con-
stitutional \ provisions are kept
flexible through the elected rep
rsentatives of the people. They
said suffrage literacy standards
vary sharply in all the States and
the proposed plan would be in
line with many.