The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1897-10-31

In the present constitution upon the au-
thortty of municipal governments as TO
the rate of taxation.
Raise the rate of taxation and the
amount hoped to BE- collected because
of such increased rate will not material
ize as experience has shown that as the
rate is increased, the valuation of props
enty decreases, and one Offsets the
other.
If officials would be vigilant and fear
less to have property assessed at its
proper value, the rate of taxation is now
sufficient o supply sufficient revenue to
all our systems of government to ad-
vance all proper and reasonable enter
prises. and meet all honest demands.
The present able and business-like adj
ministfation of our state government
demonstrates that there is no necessity
for an increased rate of taxation. The
back tax commissioners while thwarted
in some localities by the authorities,
have demonstrated two facts: first. that
there is sufficient taxable property in.
our state, if assessed al a fair valuation,
upon which at the present rate sufficient
revenue can be raised to meet all de-
mands upon the public treasury, and
to advance all objects of state care.
Second, that there is a spirit in some
localities among the local authorities to
aid large corporations in depressing the
value of their holdings. Such spirit
will always exist to greater or less
extent and will always be sufficient to
give most valuable aid to their friends.
If municipal governments will observe
these rules, and strike off from their
civil lists the annuities and jobs set
apart for political healers, sufficient
revenue will be forthcoming at he pres
emit rate of taxation to run the public
schools and meet all demands upon the
public treasury.
Another reason advanced for new
constitution is to restrict the right of
suffrage.
What public necessity is there for this.
what public interest will be subserved?
The educational qualification suggest
ed as a limitation upon the right of suf-
frage Will disfranchise ten to twenty
five thousand white msn, who reside
north of Montgomery, who, because of
no crime or fault Of theirs, would be
deprived of one of the most powerful
and vital privileges of a free man.
These men understand the genius or
our institutions and catch and UNDER
stand the issues involved in political
campaign as quickly as many men OF
education
From statements made by members
of the last legislature in their advocacy
of a new constitution, the purpose to be
obtained by such a qualification OF the
voter, is to disfranchise the negro, and
thereby obviate the necessity of frauds
at the elections IN the Black Belt
MUST twenty-five lnOuSduQ DidNC anu
true white men be deprived of the suf-
frage to defeat the negro, and make
white men honest at elections? l cannot
assent to this, because 1t Is inherently
wrong. Such law would make no
man honest at elections that is now dis
honest. The lust for and enjoyment OF
power was never willingly abandoned.
Such limitation would give the con-
troll of the state to North Alabama, ana
no intelligent man can ever be SO De.
nj
the Black Belt win make this surren-
der. 1t is unreasonable to expect OF
them an exercise of such an unnatural
quality.
From the published statements OF
members of the last general assembly
the white men of the Black Belt don't
expect to do any such thing.
And the provisions of the proposed
bill introduced in the last Legislature
calling a constitutional convention, pro-
hibiting a ratification of the. work OF
the convention by the people, mani
tested spirit that must arouse suspl-
cions as to the honesty of the purpose
and schemes that would have been en-
acted by such a convention.
If A. new cor Institution would declare
that such qualifications of the suffrage
as are proposed should not apply to any
confederate or union soldier, nor their
descendants, then all objection would
be met.
that our judicial system and procsedu
can be changed, simphfied and courts
and litigation made less expensive.
Again the legislature should be IN
hibited from enacting any special law
chartering any kind of corporations all
this can be done through general laws.
Counties, the very citadel of local self
government, should have enlarged pow
ers. and through them all the local leg,
fslation can be provided. This local
legislation is the bane of our legislature
1T takes up more than two-thirds OF the
time OF our general assembly.
Local legislation is proper and local
boards can provide for all such. Through
the counties our public school system
could be more efficaciously administer
ed and much more good accomplished;
These matters shoy to this extent the
necessity for a constitutional conven-
tion. If. however, political schemers ana
rarity oligarchs and financial adVentur-
ers are to take the matter and NIX up
a political and taX-burdening eonstitu-
fien. with but little regard for the wei
fare and interest Of the plain people
then II is best for us to endure the pres
emf evils than submit to the expert
nnents of jobbery and of self-seekefs.