Birmingham age-herald., 1894-12-02
AN ADDRESS
To the Workingmen of Alabama Adopted by the Central Trades
 Council at Mobile.

MOBILE, Nov. 28.-[Special Correspond ence. l-At meeting of the Central Trades' council, held this day, the following was adopted
 AN ADDRESS.
 To the Workingmen of Alabama:
 In 1892 the leaders who were authoriz7d to speak for the democratic party In Ala bama solemnly promised the workinCmen ''that free labor shall be relieved of com petition with convicts, and all necessary laws shall be enacted to forever prevent such competition.
 Ona platform embracing that pledge the party renewed it's hold on power. But there are evidences of purpose on the part of some of the representatives in the general assembly to dishonor the promise given to workingmen that within stated period the odious convict system should be abolished. The governor in his recent message declared that 'the evils of the lease system are part of the history of our state. If we return to that system, It's evils will also return to vex us.' This Is an acknowledg ment that the system is an evil one, aud a warning that If continued It will entail evil consequences. but the good effect Of these WI rus IS neutralized by he cue he gives the legislature when lit- tie further on in his message he adds, IT our situation compels a haIt, the neT syS- tenn should not be abolished but only sus- pended ' With what promptness this cue was followed is shown ing the report that 'Mr. Alman has introduced bill to repe al the act to create a new convict system Tor the state of Alabama"
 1t is generally agreed that the system is a bad one. The party in control has prom ised to replace it with better. The excuse for the attempt to perpetuate the old sys- tenn and evace fluff .lment of the promise to provide substitute is that change would involve loss of revenue. Such au excuse cannot be accepied; 1t neither justifies m infamous system nor palliates broken promise. Efforts to reform evils should not be measured by consideration of profit and loss. Evil should be dealt with sim ply as evil. Alaoama's convict system ought to be destroyed, both because of it's inherent badness and because the rulers have pledged themselves to it's destruction.
 Are our representatives so barren of the resources of statesmanship that they must depend upon the profits derived from crim- inals competing with honest men for means for the ordinary conduct of orderly government? Do they so distrust the patriotism of the people that they dare not rely upon their willingness to furnish the money necessary for such purpose? Do these legislators believe that the people Of Alabama demand that the poor man s field of employment be narrowed and his earn incs reduced in order that the property Of the rich may escape the taxation neces " in connection with economical government? Do they desire to give notice to nome seekers whom they have invited to come here from other states that the soil and climate of Alabama are so unsuited to agriculture that even convicts working on farms under prison discipline cannot be made self sup porters and contri ibutors to the support of the states charities? Do they not know that the excuse they cffer for continuing the lease system would be equally applica- ble to purpose to suspend the operation of the criminal code?
 We urge organization of workingmen in all parts of Alabama to unite in an effort to defeat this attempt to arrest the progress of reform. It is of vital interest to them that this convict system, which disgraces the state, which wrongs the poor man and which confirms the criminal in his wick edness. shall be wiped out.
 1 MT. JUDGE, President, JOHN MARTIN, Secretary.