Birmingham state herald., 1895-11-19
BOUND OVER.
The Telltale Gun Wadding Again Gets in
 Its Work,

Greensboro, Nov. 18.-(Special.) .)-The preliminary trial of Joe Jones and Julia Thomas for the murder of Amos Thomas was held by Edwin Jack, Esq, on last Thursday, which resulted in the binding over of Joe Jones in the sum of 5000 and the discharge of Julia Thomas, the wife of the murdered man. The wadding of the gun, found near the body of Thomas, was a piece of paper torn from the Watchman, which fitted into torn copy of the -Watchman found in the possess sion of Joe Jones, and upon unloading the other barrel of the gun the wadding also was found to be from the same copy of this paper. Besides it was shown that the prisoner had made threats against the life of the man who was murdered.
 From the following resolutions it will be seen that the county officials are not satisfied with the price paid for the county convicts, and propose to take steps to get better prices. In an edito- rial several days ago the Watchman called the attention of the county off, cials to this matter and suggested that a meeting of the probate judges of the different counties in the state be held in Selma for the purpose of devising ways and means to remedy the evil com- plained of. Judge Christian took the mater up, wrote to Judge Woods on the subject, and the resolutions adopted by the court of county commissioners of Dallas is the outcome of Judge Chris tian's action in the premises. So it will be seen that the Watchman, barring its financial vagaries, Is a valuable paper, as it furnishes means not only for con- victing criminals,- but also suggestions how to get good pay for their labor after conviction.
 Whereas It is impracticable and un- profitable in many cases, to employ the convicts to hard labor for the county. in the counties in which they are convicted;
 And, whereas, For the reason above stated, most of the counties have had to hire their convicts to hard labor to min ing companies in the state;
 And, whereas, It is believed that some of the mining companies in this state have formed a ring" and have parcelled out among them the several counties in the state-certain companies agreeing to hire the convicts in certain counties. and the other companies agreeing not to bid for the convicts in those counties, and have thus forced the hire of con- victs down to a ridiculously low figure far below the real value of the labor;
 And, whereas It Is desirable that steps be taken whereby the counties can ob- tain reasonable prices for their convicts; and to this end, that the counties confer together on the subject; therefore.
 Resolved, by the court of county rev. enues of Dallas county, That this court hereby invites like courts in other coun- ties in the state to confer with 1t on this subject at II o'clock on Wednesday, the 27th day of November, 1885, at the court house in Selma, through such representa- lives as such courts may appoint.
 Resolved, That the probate judge of Dallas county be and he is hereby re- quested to send copy of this preamble and resolutions to the other probate judges in the state; and that such other probate judges are respectfully requested to submit the matter to their respective courts at an early day.
 Adopted November, 4, 1895.