Images (49)
Document
| id |
id
118568880
|
|---|---|
| contentType |
contentType
document
|
| identifierLocal |
identifierLocal
94
|
| source |
source
import
|
Source image fields (6)
Extracted text
OCR Page 1 of 49will
A Conital Ciber Communications Inc., Newspap.:
(AMES H. HALE MOCHAEL J. DAVIES JAMES W.
sident and Publisher
Editor
Editor, Editorial i.-=
i
,
MEMBER OF THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
t
The Associated Press exclusively is entitled to use for
-
republication all local news published
,
herein as well as all AP dispatches
,
(Copyright, The Kansas City Star Co., 1982)
1
1
Vol. 114
-
Monday, April 19, 1982
No. 192
)
The Issue of Voting Rights
In spite of economic woes and other pressing
Mr. Dole reportedly is working on a com-
budget matters, the question that now rises
promise of the two positions that would be
above all others for many Americans is the
substituted for the explosive section. With un-
future of the Voting Rights Act, centerpiece of
derstanding for his delicate position - voting
minority progress and unquestionably the
for the House version would place him square-
most important piece of civil rights legislation
ly in opposition to his administration and the
of the year, probably the decade.
powerful head of the Judiciary Committee,
Immediately, the question is whether the
Sen. Strom Thurmond - we would urge ex-
Senate Judiciary Committee now studying the
treme caution in any kind of compromise
issue will support the House version of exten-
wording.
sion backed by civil rights activists and passed
Ensuring the effectiveness of this signal law
by a vote of 389-24 or the Senate version fa-
must be the prime consideration of Congress.
vored by the Reagan administration.
Any tinkering that would weaken it is not only
Standing in a pivotal position is Sen. Bob
a cruel rebuff to minorities but dangerous to all
Dole, seen by many as the key vote on the 18-
of society. In House debate, considerable com-
member Judiciary where nine members are
promise already has occurred in the areas of
co-sponsoring the House bill. Mr. Dole has not
the pre-clearance provisions, a bail-out clause
ne
yet taken a position on either version though he
and on the question of the results test. Further
does support extension of the act.
conciliatory "adjustments" could well topple
-2.
In what has become one vehicle or-legisla-
the entire structure; at the least, they threaten
tors and others who do not want to see the the
to drag debate on dangerously close to the late
ns
law extended, the Senate version would have
summer deadline for extension.
92-
alleged victims prove that local or state offi-
By taking a firm and courageous stand be-
cials intended to discriminate in order to seek
hind the strong, bipartisan House measure,
relief under the Voting Rights Act. The House
Mr. Dole can assume a positive leadership role
measure requires only that_ the result of state
for the right to vote and for law and order. He
or local action be discriminatory. That wran-
would be doing the country a patriotic service.
gle over intent vs. effect now overshadows oth-
And incidentally, a favor to the Republican
er controversial elements of the extension pro-
Party, too.
posal.
in
ESE
5
x