The Tribune. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1951-19??, 1954-11-20
Will Negroes Defeat Indignation?

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One of the most shocking and embarrassing stu
atoms the Negroes of Virginia have experienced since
the Reconstruction days, witnessed this week at the
public hearing Indignation of the races in the public
schools This public hearing held in the Mosque
Auditorium in Richmond under the auspices of the State
Commission Public Education
The embarrassment came not as the result of the
denunciatng speeches made by those bent retaining
segregated schools at any 1t because the
proponents of Indignation representing cause
should be ashamed Of The embarrassment actually came
because of exceedingly small voting strength while
some of best white and Negro leaders at war
with politicians in behalf Politicians know only
the language of the ballot Negroes just don't vote
in Virginia. If all the qualified Negro voters in each
city, town or hamlet to vote in bloc (Which is
not ever likely to happen) would have enough
votes to swing any election pro or con.
For example, candidate is elected to office in
the City of Roanoke with total vote exceeding the po-
tentlal Negro vote in the city. That is ONLY true
in Roanoke the potential vote in tdewater section is
far greater. But Virginia Negroes just don't vote.
There is school of thought which attempts to JUS
tty the small Negro vote by conendng that the voting
ratio comparable with that the opposite group Let
that that is true But the needs and crcum-
stances which surround the Negro comparable with those
of the other group? The is emphatically no!
Therefore, for every Negro adult voting should he q
must.
We admit the payment of poll taxes as prerequisite
Tor voting is an unpleasant entity in democratic
form of government. But, when men and women can,
by the payment of $3.50 poll tax for three consecutive
years. qualify to vote against segregation disfranchise
ment, discrimination and all forms of humiliatng en-
barrassments and refuse to do forced to
ton whether they really want change their con-
dition.
People pay fifteen, thirty one hundred dollars and
upward for membership in fraterntes sororities and
various organizations. 1t may be surprising know how
freely people spend money hours of revery and
non-essentias. But when they refuse pay $3.50
qualify to vote in the great brotherhood of citizenry
of he RITZ
too, when men and women stalking their prestige
their POSITIONS professions and sometimes their lives
in effort to make these underpriveged people frstcass
citizens, one is compelled to wonder if really
capable of approaching this opportunity and prv
when we fail to vote
Politicians opportuniss. They capitalize every
opportunity to cater to people who vote There is say
ing "a voeless people is a helpless people,
If the potential Negro vote of the State at its
full strength, Governor Stanley would not dare openly
declare to use every legal preserve segrega-
ton in the State" Attorney General j. Lindsey Almond
would not be working like mad" to find some way
bypass circumven the Supreme Courts ruling seq
regaon in public schools 1t is the consensus of
opinion that Attorney Almond wants be elected Gov
Of Virginia. Unless the Negro qualities vote
and throws his strength with the open minded and
shooting ladies' and gentlemen Of the opposite group,
Attorney Almond could slip in. Is that going happen
The answer remains with the voters Every red-booded
and who hopes to have say in the all
important affairs of local. state and national gov
ernmens should pay his poll tax, register and vote
II we as Negroes, hope to enjoy the continuation of
friends fighting for must rally to the and
do part Fear not the loud rabberousers They have
always been the most vocal There is large army Of
men and women who firing under the stigma of i'll
treatment of the most patriotic and awabidng minority
group IN al the nation. The giant Christian leadership
throughout the State has last awakened this gross
injustice to fellow travellers Of the household of faith
and have resolved to do something about it. God Him
self is ready and willing to deliver from long endured
bondage, but God helps those who help themselves.
Governor Stanley is franticly working to find som