The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-09-23
CUNNINGHAM ANNOUNCES
 CANDIDACY FOR GOVERNOR
lcontInued from seeond Paae.l


 of blood is absolutely essential, ond the fellowship of religion very important. Therefore, immigrants from the countries from which our own ancestors came, c. g., England, Scotland, Ireland, Wales, Germany, Holland Norway, Sweden, Denmark. France, etc, are desirable do not think that people who differ from us in all of the elements necessary to a homogeneous people should be encour- aged or permitted to come among us. am opposed to the immigration of the Mongolian races nor do 1 believe it best to introduce into our state races and nations who worship different God from us.
 I shall not take the time to quote sta tistics to demonstrate the great impor- tance of immigration to this state. have discussed this question fully be- fore the Alabama commercial organiza- tion at it's annual meeting last year in Anniston.
 Liquor Regulations.
 The necessity for regulation of this bus mess is recognized and accepted. The methods adopted in this state are pro- hibition dispensary and high license sa- loon The policy adopted is to confine this regulation to prescribed limits, e. g., counties precincts, cities, towns, etc. The principle governing this regulation is local option. Heretofore the regula- tion of the liquor traffic has been through local legislation. l subscribe to the prin- ciple of local option, and such has been my record on this question. I favor a general law that will enable the people of localities, as may be prescribed by law, to vote upon this question, and settle for themselves what they want whether that be prohibition, dispensary or saloon. As to what shall constitute the locality or unit, whether a county, precinct or incorporated city or town, there is dif- ference of opinion. In my judgment 1t ought to be the county and incorporated city or town, that Is to say, that an election may be ordered for the whole county or for any incorporated city or town in the county.
 Convict System.
 In the administration of any convict ! system the following points should be kept in mind: humanity, revenue, equity to free labor and reformation of the convict.
 In the present convict system establish ed by Governor Jelks and managed by him and the able board of convict inspec- tors appointed by him all these points are favored. This Is particularly true as to the revenue. This new system alone will make the administration of Cover nor Jelks one of the best in the states 8 history. The present surplus in the state treasury is mainly due to this source There Is also greater humanity and a more equitable distribution of the com- petition of convicts with free labor and an effort made at reformation. especially of the younger convicts. As an illus tration of the difference in the revenue between the new and old system, the net earnings of each convict at Pratt mines under the new system is about $35 per month while under the old 1t was about s10 per month-a difference of $25 per month on each convict employed at mine labor in favor of the new system. This profit now goes into the state treasury while formerly it went to the profits of tho contractors The system is now earnings over and above all expenses about s30O00O a year.
 1 From March, 1881, to December 31, 1902, | I was associated more or less in an official and professional capacity with | the convict system of the state What I accomplished in the reformation of the l old system by Improvement in sanitation | and in the treatment of the sick I shall pass over and will refer those interested | upon this subpect to the reports on the convict system.
 As legislator my record on this ques- tion I think will show that 1 can claim, without boasting presumption or infringe- ment upon the credit due to Governor Jelks, to be the author of the new sys- tenn. Senate bill 104, which was intro | duced by me in to the senate, contained among other things the following impor- tant provisions: the abolition of the lease | and county convict system; the estab- | fishing of a manufacturing, mining, ag- ricultural and Invalid department; the es- tablishing of board of managers con- sisting of a general manager, superinten- | dent of mines. superintendent of farms, a medical director and Jail inspector. Con victs allowable for work In mines were l limited to 25 per cent of the whole num- | Der of convicts and the state was au- | thorzed to work them as follows:
 l. To mine coal for the owners of mines at an agreed price per ton delivered oh the tipple that Is to say, on the outside of the mines.
 2. To mine coal for owners of mines at an agreed price per ton, the coal to be delivered at the mouth of the room in | the coal mine.
 3. To hire convicts at an agreed price | per class to coal operators, the state maintaining and retaining entire control of the convicts.
 4 To lease coal lands and open and operate mines on state account.
 This bill passed the senate but was | defeated in the house. Had it become a law it would have netted the state be- tween January, 1898, and January. 1903, at least million dollars more than was netted under the old system. The sys- tenn adopted by Governor Jellxs Is in ac- cordanee with the first, second and third forms of employment above suggested. | For the reasons why this system should | be a success and for its necessity. the reader is referred to a report of a joint ! committee which was prepared by me and which Is printed in the senate and house journals, session 1896 Governor Jelks has thoroughly demonstrated the wisdom and practicablity of this policy
 While acting governor the board of in- spectors with my approval refused to hire convcts under the old system to the saw mills, but made contracts with them in accordance with the new system. The convict lease system, therefore, has been | practically abolished so far as the state convicts are concerned.
 think however that the problem will not be fully solved until the state is wholly independent of private interests. While acting governor I endeavored to lease coal lands from the University and Girls Industrial school for the purpose | of opening and operating coal mines on | state account. I had not succeeded when | I retired from the office. If elected gov ernor I shall endeavor to wholely sep arate the state from private interests in the operation of the convict system
 County Convict System.
 The county convict system is a dis grace to the state and should be abol- ished. I favor its abolition and to pro- vide for the protection of the fine and forfeiture fund of the several counties of the state; that 30 per cent of the net revenue derived from the whole convict system to be returned to the counties in accordance with the earnings of the convicts from the several counties. to be
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