November 22, 1881

ABBEVILLE, South Carolina

Race-Relations

Edward F Stokes refused to pay the poll tax required for voting purposes in South Carolina. He claimed that such a tax was a debt, making imprisonment upon his refusal to pay a violation of Commonwealth organic law. Nonetheless, Judge Hawthorne found him guilty and offered him the choice of a fine of five dollars and costs or thirty days in jail. Stokes appealed the decision, and it was brought...