The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-08-26
GCommunicated.)
AN OPEN LETTER
TO THE PEOPLE

I find It impossible to see and talk to
all the people before the primary, for this
reason hope to reach you through the
Rustler's columns, it being the only
paper In the county that has offered me
any assistance without price or reward.
| have offered to return to the people
IL they should elect me sheriff 30 per cent
of the net proceeds of the office each
year of the term, divided among six in
situations, namely: White public schools,
Boys Industrial school Of East Lake,
Mercy Home, Hillman hospital. ST. Vim
cent hospital and the disabled Confederate
veterans, all of Jefferson county l have
made bond to guarantee this
This idea has been assailed by some OF
my opponents and their friends. 1 deem
It advisable that / should name the
charges they prefer against me and my
platform, and explain and defend myself
and platform.
They say I'm trying to buy the office.
I deny this. l feel that every voter will
notice that the sheriff will be paid not
less than $4,000 per year. whom he may
be. To elect any->>.her than myself means
this amount goes into the pocket of one
man. To elect me says that worthy peo-
pie will get not less than $4,000 per year,
or $4,000 for the term of office.
| Does this mean anything to the people
of Jefferson county? Then the man that
votes for me is giving this, and not me-
| On the other hand, II l am trying to
| buy the office. may I ask who from
| The people who own It? Then the other
| would-be purchaser Is trying to buy 1t
| OF the two, which is the better? ! leave
| you to answer.
Then they say IL I am elected the sher-
| IFS office of Jefferson county will be
ruined for 1t will result In the next
legislature placing 1t on a salary basis
/ e IN. ~
be So for the proceeds of the office will
then go into the county treasury, thereby
/ benefiting every tax payer in the county,
| l shall then feel that 1 am entitled to
the laurels, for I Will have done more
| for the county than any man in 1t.
Put the office on a salary basis of
5000 today, and will still be in the race
How many of my opponents would be
there? Do you not think it strange that
so important an office should be source
! of guess work as to the salary by every
taxpayer in the county except the incum-
bent?
| If | can get the office by the consent
| of the people and serve my people the
| poorest as well as the richest l Shall be
glad to have it. If not, do not want II.
If elected 1 shall select the best men
| can find as deputies. and all / require
Is that they shall be gentlemen OF ability,
sober and Industrious, and that they Will
help me execute the law without fear or
| favor.
| I have been asked about bloodhounds
| to protect the jail and catch criminals.
I do not believe that bloodhounds should
be needed to protect the jail. I believe
! the sheriff and his men should do this. I
have seen that the bloodhound has been
tried at the expense of the county, and
the only good ever done was to catch one
or two criminals In the rural districts.
They were found too expensive, and had
| to be abandoned by the county.
| I believe a sheriff filling the office for
and by the people should serve the whole
people, country. as well as cities and
towns, and In this case the hounds are
just as necessary as the deputies If I
am elected the hounds will be in service
as soon as I am installed. and I shall
not ask the county to pay anything for
their care or keeping
If you can vote for me on terms and
conditions asked. and expect nothing but
the full execution OF your laws In return
for your vote, I shall be glad to have
your support; IL not, do not want your
| vote or help. Respectfully,
zee w. r. WATKINS.