Birmingham state herald., 1896-12-03
THE JEFFERSON COUNTY soLICI-
 SHIP.


 SHIP.
 To the State Herald.
 The bill now pending before the legis- lature for the purpose Of declaring va cant the office of solicitor for Jefferson county will no doubt be enacted at an early day. Whether the vacancy shall be filled by election by the general assem- ply or by appointment by the Governor the responsibility to be met and the duty to be performed is grave and important, and no doubt will be discharged with an eye single to the interests of the law abid- ing people of Jefferson county and the welfare of the peace and dignity of Ala bama."
 Owing to local environment and the pe- culiar conditions prevailing in this sec tion in connection with the administra- tion of the criminal law, it is of vital and commanding importance that the prose- cutting officer should be eminently com petent and specially fitted, by force of character, professional skill and exper- fence to handle prosecute and secure the punishment of all violators of the law, whether of low or higa degree that nl4- y be guilty. Unfortunately for Jefferson county, it is the dumping ground and resting place of majority of the felons from every other county in the state, and for that reason, the law officers have to deal with a larger portion of law breakers-already hardened criminals, fresh from the convict prisons-of the graver character than any other county, perhaps than all other counties in Ala bama. What is needed in the office is a prosecuting officer who has the ability, the courage and the experience necessary to deter and intimidate law breakers by the certainty of swift and ample punish ment for their offenses when committed. The law abiding tax paying people of this county have perfect right to this much, and it is the duty of the legislature or the Governor to whichever may fall the duty of filling the vacancy to give them such an officer independent of any and all other considerations. It will not do to say that the duties of this office can be properly and efficiently discharged by any one who may chance to hold license to prac- tice law Far from 1t. More than ordin- ary ability aggressiveness, and long eX- perience as stats'e attorney are absolute essentials in the man who fills the office of solicitor for Jefferson county credit ably to himself and to the welfare and in- terest of the state. Jefferson county and the state of Alabama are entitled to such a representative in the solicitors office, and expect the legislature or Governor to see to 1t that no mistake is made.
 With no desire to depreciate the merits of any of the gentlemen who may aspire to the office in question, 1t is entirely safe to say that no better and more fitting se- lection for 1t could be made than Col 8. w. John. No mistake would be made should he be chosen to flll the vacancy A man of great native ability and legal acumen,a thoroughly trained practitioner in all branches of his profession, having been for several years a state solicitor in one of the most important sections of the state, with disposition peculiarly fitting him for the duties of the office, his cleo ton or appointment thereto would be highly appropriate, and would give uni versal satisfa ction to the people of Jeffer- son county interested in the preservation and enforcement of law and order and the maintenance of the peace and dignity of the commonwealth
 The record of Col. John as states solic- itor for Dallas county, where he was terror to evil doers, for number of years, is the highest testimonial to his eminent qualification and peculiar fitness for the position, and shows him to have been one of the ablest and most success full prosecuting officers ever in the ser vice of the state
 The writer testifies to Col. Johns quail fications for the office from an acquaint- anee of several years and a Knowledge of his record, but does not write as his per- sonal advocate or friend. What Is said to his credit incidentally Is said directly for the welfare and in behalf of the peo- pie of this county. CITIZEN.