The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-09-02

focused on the whole state the attention of malevolent critics. These several rmer-contractors had helpers in com- plaisant justices and eonstahies. The latter were more guilty than the prin- cipals. They basely betrayed a solemn trust. In Georgia several like persons were found guilty and sentenced without creating a furor, but our few and shln- ing rascals have caught the public eye. We have somehow secured the attention offthe world and columns of abuse from people no better than our own have filled the public prints. By some means, other matters of grave import were forgotten, and Alabamas sins with their center in a single county, have held the almost undivided attention of the whole coun- try. The secrets of the grand jury were, on the morrow. occupying large space under brilliant headlines in the eastern newspapers, and the gaping mutitudes read everywhere on the sensational bull letin boards of slavery in Alabama. A malignant press sent its agents to en- large upon our sins. They printed the transformation broadcast, enlarging upon the facts they did get and contribute to the general misconception of the whole story in the public mind. I am afraid there has been absorbed the impression that we had in the state only a few good people. And yet we know that no spectable citizen has any sympathy with these criminals, and that citizens without a great deal of responsibility are as out ragged as their moral natures will allow.
 Each of you gentlement must be de- lighted to know that several at least of the eighteen sinners indicted by the United States grand jury will suffer some sort of a penalty for their grave crimes, though you doubtless would have pre- ferred that it had been done in your own courts and with less furious acclaim.
 State Courts.
 This leads me to say that if our state laws do not properly provide for the pun ishment of any possible crime, it is your duty to supply the omission and, If you should find that our courts have been inefficient hasten to inquire into the cause for such inefficiency It being your desire as it must be the desire of every patriotic son of the state, to meet here and within our own borders every possi- ble demand of the strong or the feeble, the rich or the poor. for justice and that without procrastination or delay.
 The humble are the most sorely in need of the help which the law and the courts should be strong enough to furnish, and l am unwilling to believe that in any locality, the patriotic and brave are so weak as to suffer the cruel and cowardly, for any period to interfere with the life, liberty or pursuit of happiness, of its humblest and poorest and It's most de- fenseless inhabitants.
 Your own courts should be sufficient for the punishment of all offenses within their jurisdiction, and our people, Ala bamians. should in every precinct, be brave enough, and true enough to rise in their strength. and declare. with irresist- ible force that the laws should be omni- potent, and they shall be supreme
 Justices.
 Wherever, on a plain showing, I find a notary public ex offlcio justice of the peace plainly violating the law or trans cending his authority under 1t, I will to remove justices other than these. You may determine in your wisdom to abridge the powers granted to the inferior courts, or, when the constitution allows 1t, sub. stitute other officers on salaries for the fee-paid ones the fee system being the mother of many of our most serious evils.
 In conclusion. allow me to hope that your stay will not be unpleasant, while disposed to think you will be too busy to be inconvenienced by such outside and extraneous matters as the weather.
 Whenever during the session I can serve you, 1t will give me great pleasure. Faithfully VIM. D. JELKS,
 Governor.