Birmingham state herald., 1896-12-03
to the barefooted girls and the wool hat boys of Alabama.

list of the states, showing their rela tive positions as to education), I almost weep tears of blood. This Is the column: Go down it and you find Alabama third from the bottom. Only Louisiana and North Carolina are lower in the scale of illteracy. There are eighteen out or every 100 white people in this state who cannot read their Bibles; who cannct read their ballots. In the negro race there are sixty-three out of every 100 who cannot read their Bibles or their ballots. If you do not bring the negro up, he will drag you down to the lowest hell. It's law as true as the law that makes the sun shine in the heavens. I am talking to body of men who make laws for million and a half people. Cannot the young men before me appreciate the situ- alton and devise schemes for general education of the people of this state? appeal to every officer in Alabama, from your Governor to your constables, to get together and bring this old state up to the standard and when this is done, you will have the grandest state in the union.
 heard your retiring Governor say something about the great state of Ala mama and I said amen. But I thought to myself, it is not big state that makes great state. It is a great people that make a great government.
 l have failed in this talk if I have not impressed you that to grow in progress you must educate your people.
 l came to Montgomery from North Carolina for the purpose of witnessing the inauguration of a warm, personal friend, as the governor of your state. He Is a man whom I have clung to my sould with hooks of steel. Yester- day as I read his message, clear, simple, concise, honest, broad and wise my heart swelled with joy and said "A new era is dawning at last for the old state of Alabama" I was proud to know that there was one man in Alabama who had convictions and the courage to speak them. wish I had the time to read from the message of Governor JohnSton; l wish it could be put in letters of gold and sent to every home in this broad land. l know you will think l am an en- thusiast. l don't care if you do. My whole life has been devoted to the cause of education. l feel that I can see the hands of the little children held up to me and their voices pleading with me for re- lief"
 When the speaker closed his remarks round after round of applause greeted him and he was congratulated by nearly every member of the assembly before leaving the hall.
 It is understood that Dr. Curry made proposition to the committee yesterday that if the assembly would increase the state appropriation of Prof. Patterson's normal institute for colored youths in this city that the Slater fund would contri bute $2,5Oo for the same purpose.
 THE LEG1SLATURE.
 The general assembly resumed bus- ness this morning under a new admins tration, and in the halls of the law mak- CTS there were many faces that expressed feeling of deep satisfaction.
 In the house this morning Col. J. J. Alt man presented the resolution of the Com mercial association of the state relative to a constitutional convention in Ala bama. This resolution was published in the State Herald at the time of its adop- tion by the associations, and is an ur- gent appeal to the general assembly to bring about such convention. The reso- lution was appropriately referred.
 In the house today the following meas ures were introduced:
 By NeSmith-To incorporate the town of Sulligent in the county of Lamar. Re- vision of laws.
 By Mitchell-To provide for the more efficient assessment and collection of tax es in the state. Ways and means.
 By Hearn-To amend section 5,756 of the code to regulate the salary of the governors private secretary. Revision of laws.
 Also-To amend section 11S d0D of the code to regulate the annual salary of the state treasurer. Revision of laws.
 Also-To amend section S6(75) of the code to reduce the salary of the secretary of state. Revision of laws.
 Also-To amend section 132 of the code to regulate the salary of the commission CT of agriculture. Revision of laws
 By Merrill-To amend an act entitled an act to fix the time and place of hold ing circuit court in the third judicial circuit, approved December IT, 1894. Ju- dietary.
 By Killebrew--To establish new char ter for the town of Midland City. Cor porations
 By Waller, of Hale-To regulate the drawing and empanelfng of grand and in oirp1lit oifU pO1rte of this state, and to provide the penalties for failing to comply with the provisions of this act. Judiciary.
 By Tunstall-To amend section 2,044 as removal on application of surety of the code.
 Also-To amend section 12S d1O of the code of 1886 to regulate the salary of att torney general. Revision of laws.
 Also-To amend section 67 (66) of the code to regulate the annual salary of the governor. Revision of laws.
 By Davis-To require the tax assessor and tax collector of Marion county to keep their offices within one mile of the court house. Judiciary.
 By Stansel-To adjust the claim of the University of Alabama upon an equita- ble basis by declaring the endowment; and to enable deserving and indignent students in the several counties of the state to obtain m education at that insti- tuition; educa ton.
 By Yarbrough-TO amend an act enti- tied an act to prohibit the selling, giving away or otherwise disposing of spiritu- ous, vinous or malt liquors, or alcoholic bitters, cordials or beverages of any kind in St. Clair county. approved Dec 17, 1894; temperance.
 By Appling (by request)-To establish a bureau of immigration and for other purposes; immigration and labor.
 By Greene-To regulate the appoint ment of trustees of the University of Ala bama, and to prescribe who are eligible for appointment as such trustees; adu- cation.
 My MitcheIl-To amend section 34 of an act entitled an act to create a new char ter for the city of Florence, approved Feb. 2S, 1889; corporations.
 IN THE SENATE.
 Senator Moody's dspensary bill was today postponed for the third time and made a special order for Monday imme- diately after call. The general appro- pria tions bill was adopted with no mate rial changes. pr. Cunningham attempt ed to raise the Governors recording sec retary's salary to s1,250, but his motion failed. The house wanted four watch men at $500 each, but the senate insisted on only three at that salary as in the paSt