Answer: Judge John Wisdom is referring to the use of literacy tests and poll taxes to keep African Americans from voting.
Explanation: In the quote provided by Judge John Wisdom, he is describing a figurative "wall" that exists in Louisiana, separating registered voters from unregistered, eligible Negro voters (referring to African American voters). This "wall" symbolizes the systemic barriers and discriminatory practices that were employed to suppress the voting rights of African Americans during that time.
Specifically, the reference to the wall is associated with the use of literacy tests and poll taxes. These measures were implemented to restrict African Americans from exercising their right to vote. Literacy tests were used to assess an individual's reading and comprehension abilities, but they were often designed to be intentionally difficult and administered in a discriminatory manner. This made it challenging for African Americans to meet the requirements and register to vote.
Poll taxes were another tool used to discourage African American voters. These taxes required individuals to pay a fee in order to vote, which disproportionately affected African Americans who were more likely to face economic hardships. By imposing these financial burdens, poll taxes effectively restricted access to voting for many African Americans.
Therefore, Judge Wisdom's reference to the "wall" indicates the systemic and discriminatory practices, such as literacy tests and poll taxes, that obstructed the path of African Americans to exercise their right to vote in Louisiana during that time.