The age-herald., 1898-11-13
The General Assembly.

The peoples representatives are assem- bling at the capital preparatory to a session of great-possibly of nexampled-usefui- ness. For there are many broad questions touching the affairs of nearly two million of people in broad and richly-endowed state pressing for settlement, complete or partial, mostly, however partial that being the way in which most matters in this inn perfect world have to be treated. And after all evolution is better than revolution. states grow, and a slow growth is often- timos the better growth. But they should grow. They should not decay or stagnate.
 The subject of revenue or taxation, touch ing every mans pocket, is always with us. and it will come before the legislature In the form of needed amendments. The legis- lature that succeeds in spreading the costs of government evenly and justly, is indeed a wise legislature, and the coming one will attempt the task.
 A very serious problem relates to the sad condition of the township schools. There is danger that the state will become the most lnterate III the union, her Ialr name DecoH- ing thereby tarnished to such an extent that capital and immigration will shun her opportunities and resources, saying nothing as to the just claims of her own bright eyed children. The customary claims of in- stitutions will be presented. The university will want something on account of that old debt; the Girls Industrial Sschool wants to complete new building, and so on to the end of the chapter but unless signs are misleading the educational work of the coming session will be in the interest of the long neglected common schools.
 The race troubles in North Carolina have doubtless served to recall attention to the need of a constitutional convention. The Black Belt is in favor of a convention, and this fundamental question will certainly present itself, demanding an affirmative so- lution.
 Another fundamental question relates to the regulation of primaries. This question goes so deep that 1t is, in localities, question as to whether govern ment shall be by the people, or by cliques. In a state that has practically but one white mans party, primaries become the real election, and the rest is but form ality. The regulation of primaries is rap idly spreading among the states.
 Prison reform Is another subject that calls aloud for treatment. The handling Of young convcts, and above all else the cru cities practiced at the mines of the state need at least abating changes. The weight of the tasks imposed at the mines and the manner of securing them would if fully known, shock the humanity of the state.
 There is a growing feeling that solicitors should be elected by the people, as they are in Georgia, and nearly every other state. All experience in this couh,ry goes to show that the people are the safest re- pository of political power.
 The manner of paying employees, partic- ularly at the mines and in large factories, is also a living question, whether it in- wolves the old Pennsylvania warfare against the commissary or not. It will come up. whatever it involves.
 And then there is Greater Birmingham. The other questions are old and hoary, but this is new one. A young giant desires to enter the lists of cities with all proper credit. The state does not contain at pres- ent large city. The only chance to get one is in Jones valley, where hills of coal nod approvingly to hills of iron ore. It Is not a mere local question to be decided by a few delegates from Smithfeld. It Is a question that touches state pride, the states reputation abroad, the states well fare. It needs broad treatment, and the representatives of sixty-six counties know what will serve Alabama the best It is a state question, however much some en- vious newspaper men may try to relegate it to the limbo of local issues.