The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1899-03-11
IN HOTEL LOBBIES
AND ELSEWHERE

Judge HlkefSOH, OF III any OlH6T COURT dS
for that matter. The case is set for hear
ing before Judge Wilkerson for $3.50 o'clock
this morning, but the county treasurer,
| through his attorneys, will merely show
cause" In formal way, and the case is
likely to be adjourned until next Monday
week. There is no need of haste in the
matter. After being decided here, the case
| cannot possibly reach the supreme court
before the 18th of April. So there is a
| plenty of time, so far as time goes in such
matter. Another point thoughtfully con-
sidered is the fact that one of the counsel
| in the case is a candidate for delegate to
the constitutional convention. It is held
| that it would be unfair to him to precipi-
| tate argument at the moment, when there
is not the slightest necessity for such ac-
| ton.
| As everybody in Jefferson knows, this all
grows out of the action of the legislature
in its recent session in abolishing the court
| of county commissioners, and at the same
| time creating a board of revenue for JET
| ferson county. This extraordinary action
| of the legislature was taken by direct and
explicit orders from Governor Johnston;
| and it is held by many eminent lawyers
| to be clear and unmlstakable violation
| of the present constitution of the state.
| Upon this ground the legislative act is be-
| Ing contested by the county commissioners,
and will be fought to the end; the which,
in the circumstances, is not at all surpris-
ing 1t is maintained that the county COM
mssioners have their winning cards up.
their sleeves" and so the public must walt
,.Ia he me
The situation Is of the greatest interest
to jefferson county, and it involves grave
questions of constitutional procedure on
the part of the legislature.
There is talk in the Hobbies to the effect
that Governor Johnston remains consist
emily opposed to the proposed institutional
convention. Two years ago and more, he
declared himself in favor of such convention
but his alert and versatile mind underwent
a change last summer. Unquestionably he
leaned to the plan of mending the constitu-
ton by amendment, and up to the time the
legislature took final action he was unmis-
takably opposed to a convention, and his
well known sentiments in the matter came
near to defeating the measure calling the
convention. If the governor still opposes
the constitution, which appears to be ex
tremely probable, it would be difficult to
discern what he hopes to accomplish, or,
indeed, what is his ultimate aim. The call
ing of the convention has been made a
party issue, and Governor Johnston would
not dare. openly to oppose 1t, if he so de-
sired. Yet he can cause the word to be
"saunt' that he is not friendly" and in
doing so refrain from openly violating the
party law. If his excelency should send
any such word through the state it would
be undoubtedly embarrassing to the friends
of the convention. But there be no need of
crossing imaginary bridges. The conyen-
tion will carry" no matter who OPP
| poses it.
Governor Johnston has been in Birming-
ham for the past two days. His mission
here in the middle of the week is best
known to himself. But there is some gos-
sip which connects his visit with desire
on his part to bring about opposition to
Senator Cunningham for delegate at large
to the constitutional convention, but moth
ing to the effect that the governor had
such purpose has come into public view.
There can be no doubt that the governor
down." but it is hardly possible that he
could find a man capable of doing the deed
AS matters stand, Senator Cunningham is
without opposition, and future opposition
to him is altogether improbable If the
governor came here to discuss politics he
must have heard some mighty interesting
| talk.
Dr. w. H. Sanders, the state health off,
Ger, is in Birmingham on his wav soutb
| from Cullman. Smallpox is prevailing in
Culiman county, and in a district about
fifteen miles from the town of Cullman
| there are many cases. DR.. Sanders went
there TO take steps for stamping out the
olsease. The state health officer goes from
| mere TO Autauga county, and from that
| county to Dallas Hale and Perry. in all
OF which smallpox prevails to a DISTRESSING
degree, chiefly amongst negroes on the
| plantations. In the four counties the stu
| alton is serious. In Hale, for example
there have been 1000 cases within the past
few months. Unhappiy the legislature at
its recent session refused to pass the bin
that was essential to the successful COM
batting of smallpox. The bill defeated pro-
vided that the state should share a part
of the expense in dealing with contagious
and infectious diseases, and it sought to
protect one county from the effect of neg
igence on the part of adjoining counties.
For example. IL Shelby should stamp out
| an epidemic of smallpox, the bill which the
legislature refused to enact provided that
the county should not be re-infected from
Bibb This is merely an illustration,
|
| The state health officers expressed him.
self as being greatly pleased with the
passage of the new quarantine law for the
state. This law was published by The
| Age-Herald last Sunday. DR.. Sanders says
that it is the most perfect state law in
the United States; and health authorities
would have smooth sailing if the United
States and all the states would enact such
law. Asked If he did not consider the
extraordinary severity of the past win
| ter guarantee against veIlaur fax,a, -,