The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-10-08
The Redistricting Bill.
Decatur. Ala, October 6, 1903.

DeCatuF, Ala, OCtODoT Q, lJU3. Editor The Advertiser:
 No more important measure awaits eX- ecutive action on the Governors desk than the bill known as the redistricting bill, which was before the Legislature for nearly the entire term and which finally passed both Houses by safe majorities.
 It was proposed to increase the salaries Of the various judges $5Co per annum re- spectiveiy. This may have been a good suggestion, but the Legislature took the position that we have the best men in the State on the bench, and an increase in salaries could not attract greater merit to these offices; that Is to say, that the present judges would be more painstak- ing or laborlous in the discharge of their respective duties, because of a patty in- crease of salary, would be a serious re- fiection upon the integrity of upright Judges who accepted their offices Knowing what the compensation would be; and therefore, the Legislature did not pass the measure, though considerable pres sure was brought to bear in its behalf.
 The Legislature argued that what was needed was increased efficiency in the judiciary, and they realized that this ber of judges rather than by Increasing the salaries of the present incumbents. It Is apparent that the additional cost of the new circuits in the redistricting bill Is less than would have been the cost of the proposed sincrease of judicial salaries, while the benefits to the people of the State will be infinitely greater.
 The constitution guarantees speedy trials; and that justice shall be had with out delay. No higher duty rests upon the legislative and executive branches of the State than to make this provision Of the Constitution effective. Nothing else can contribute so much to the happiness and prosperity of the people
 The redstricting bill will accomplish this, and will save very conSidern be sum tn the State In the matter of feed hillS fOT DriSDnar9 This iH hard n compute, but It Is estimated that 1t would go fur toward off setting the expense of the new circuits. The enormous and bur- denSume costs fin civil cases which ac- erue because of the conscsted dockets in many circuits will be avoided under the new law. And this is no small matter in reckoning the merits of tho measure.
 In Lawrence and Morgan counties the County Courts for the trial of misde meanors established by special acts. have been abolished. The repeal of these laws will put possibly 15o misdemeanOr eases on the already conSested docketS ot the Circuit Courts of thoSe counties, If the redlstricting bill becomes a law, how ever. the Circuit Courts will be able to State will be saved the expense of main taning the County Courts above referred to. which will amount to from $2OO0 to s ,000 per annum-
 The new law will abolish the office of County Solicitor In Madison County. tho salary of which office has been fixed at l $2,OO0 a year. and will thereby save that sum to tS State. The sa&e or similar situations probably exist in other coun- ties affected by the new law.
 | So it is apparent to the least thoughtful man that the redistrfcting bill does not mean SD much an increased expenditure on the part of the State. as a more judi cfous expenditure The efficiency of the administration of justice will be greatly enhanced without any real increase in the expense.
 l The Valkar Winston (SirCuit has bear passed and approved. Jefferson County | has been heard and satisfied. The Mont gomery pony circuit" has been passed in separate bill. though included in the general law So the redistricting bill adds but two new circuits, exclusive of tho Montgomery pony circuit" and these two are In North Alabama where 1t is conceded the necessity for some reliei from the congested condition of the dock. cts is imperative
 It will be great hardship on the peo- pie of the State to be forced to wait four years until another Legislature convenes for relief. It will be short-slghted econ omy.
 The courageous position of the present Governor of Alabama in opposition tc 1 mob law justly has won the plauditS o1 his own people and of the country. The Legislature did not adopt his anti-lynch, ing recommendation in @ many words but the redistricting bill contains pro, vision which is in effect the same-it vii accomplish the purpose of the Governor recommendation. It is an antidote foi lynch law. It Is in line with every public utterance of our Chief Executive. Tho State cannot afford to take backward step on this great question. This bill should become the law.
 The redistricting bill was carefully con Sldered hy the committees. and was final ly passed by constitutional maJorities 1T both Houses. These were the representa- tives of the people fresh from the people and voiced the will of their constituents The bill should be approved
 Tennessee Valley.