The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-08-19
Communicated.
 RUSSELL M. CUNNINGHAM
THE MAN AND THE STATESMAN IN THE CLEAR
 LIGHT OF TRUTH.
Chairman Mclaughlin Sounds Bugle Call to the Democrats of
 Jefferson County

and if the bill had become law the con vict lease system would have been prac- tically abolished so far as state convicts were concerned, at that time.
 Subsequently pr. Cunningham saw this cherished plan of his put into effect. but he desires to carry it out more fully, and says in his address:
 In the Interest of the People.
 q think however, that the problem will not be fully solved until the state Is who'll ly independent of private interests. While acting governor I endeavored to lease coal lands from the University and Girls In- dustrial school for the purpose of opening and operating coal mines on state account l had not succeeded when I retired from the office. If elected governor I shall en- deavor to wholly separate the state from private interests in the operation of the , convict system"
 What an answer to the silly and mali 1 cious charge that Dr. Cunningham Is the servant of corporations!
 Equally emphatic and courageous is his declaration as to the education of the children of the people.
 Treasury Surplus for Education.
 Should a surplus exist in the state treasury" he says in that address, .'and l am informed that 1t does, I am in favor of appropriating it to the common schools of the state" Where else would you have that surplus go. you men who want to see your sons and daughters given that equipment for life which has been denied to you?
 A man with such a warm heart could not fail to take account of the necessities . of the old soldiers of the state and yet he is careful to promise nothing which can not be fully performed. Note his words:
 Will Protect the Old Soldier.
 Among these heroes of the south are many who are unable to wholly support themselves. These should be provided for by the state to the very best of it's ability. The law provides a tax af ten cents on the $100 for the old soldiers This will raise under our present assess ment about SS25,000 I am in favor of appropriating for the next four years at least the present appropriation, which is an addition to the especial fund for the benefit of the old soldiers"
 A demagogue seeking to capture the old soldier vote, would have promised anything. Dr. Cunningham assures the veterans that he will not allow them to be defrauded of their own.
 Other Sane and Sound Views.
 Equally sane and well-balanced are his declarations as to immigration and the regulation of the liquor traffic.
 We should bring into the state," he says. desirable immigrants who will make good citizens, build homes, and who are capable of assimilation with our people,.
 And as to the liquor question he de- clares in favor of a general law that will enable the people of localities, as may be prescribed hy law, to vote upon this question, and settle for themselves, what they want. whether that be prohi- bition, dispensary or saloons. We have deemed 1t proper to refresh the minds of the people of Jefferson county with these extracts from the sin cere and candid manifesto of Dr Gun ningham. We would now invite your attention to his record as to labor.
 Ills Record as to Labor.
 While in the legislature Dr. Cunning ham supported bills providing for the regulation of child labor in mines and factories; for the protection of miners for the better inspection of mines, for the regulation of payment of wages in certain counties of the mineral district of the state, and to make wages pre- ferred claim against corporations.
 No Campaign Fund. Such, in part, are the public life and services of this citizen of Jefferson county who is asking the votes of dem ocrats. He has declared that he Is backed by no campaign fund. and what ever money he expend5 comes out of his own pocket because he will not bind himself to any interest or class, but will be governor of all the people of the state of Alabama
 Distinction and fortune await him in his profession if he would close his ears i to the call of public service, but that he will probably never do, for the instincts of the statesman are stronger in him than those of the physician
 Fastened to the Post of Duty.
 His service for the state has entaiIed upon him heavy financial loss, and yet there has never been a time when he hesitated to make the sacrifice. He was in Europe enjoying a well-earned vacation and adding to the store of his medical knowledge in the famous hos pitals of the old world when the news of the illness of Governor Jelks was flashed to him by the cable. He has tened across the ocean to the post of duty and took up the burden of the cares of state.
 Thankless Task Nobly Done.
 It was a thankless task. and one preg- nant with danger to his political future,
 
 tions without fiinching, for nearly year. and surrendered the trust with hands as clean as they were when he received 1t. Many of the perplexities which beset him in that period are known to only a few friends, but they know, too, how resolutely he met them and the face of flint which he opposed to the seductive whisperings of oppor- tunism In that record you have some earnest of what he will be as governor. free and untrammelled.
 His Lawful Reward.
 Dr. Cunningham has served up to this high office. and It is his by the unwrit ten law of the democratic party of Ala bama which says that the faithful and loyal servant shall not be denied the re- ward of which he Is worthy. Democrats of Jefferson county. we be- lieve you will give Russelll M. Cunning ham full and emphatic vote of confi- dence and esteem on the last Monday in August Yours respectfully, J. F. MCLAUGHLIN, Chairman Cunningham Campaign Com mittee for Jefferson county. August 10th. 1906.