The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-05-04
FOR THE LEGISLATURE


To the Democratic Voters of Jefferson
county:
| ask your votes in the coming primary
Tor nomination as a candidate for the
high office of representative in the legisla-
ture of Alabama
The interest now taken by so many
voters in the public questions which so
intimately and directly concern all the
people, is very encouraging sign, for 1t
indicates that the people are alive to their
own interests and intend to settle these
questions by the intelligent use of their
law-making power
me people are demanding more reforms
now than at any time in the history of
the state, since the great reforms of
1S74-5.
Should you trust me with the power of
casting one of your seven votes in the
house of representatives | shall dill
gently, faithfully work and vote for a
statute, If enforced that will relieve your
legislature of the presence, pernicious
practices and pollution of the hired lobby.
Free of this unmitigated evil your leg
islature will be free, for the first time in
twenty years, to consider and enact laws,
which will effectually prevent or ade-
quately punish, extortion and unjust dis
elimination by railroads and other COM
mon carriers.
Within the limits of an announcement
like this | cannot discuss the extent and
degree of this oppressive evil, but you
know it. feel 1t and have felt it for many
years and have determined to relieve your
self of this great and growing wrong
by just and temperate laws, which will
not injure the carriers in the least, but
rather help them and bring them a last
ing prosperity founded on great public
service. rightfully rendered
The readjustment of the burdens of tax
alton so as to make them more easily
borne, demands the reform of our laws on
the subject of txation that will collect
only enough money to run the govern
ment economically.
Our system of education should be i'm
proved from top to bottom comfortable
school houses must be provided and the
uniform text book law must be amended
SO to secure the best books at reason
able price for our children; system of
high schools must be established and
adequate support provided so that every
child qualified to enter them may receive
instruction therein, including the elements
of agriculture and manual training with.
out charge.
In order to increase the school fund the
constitution should be amended so that
all poll taxes not voluntarily paid may
be collected by law, and thus take away
the premium to careless, thoughtless men,
to disfranchise themselves.
The crying evil of imprisoning women
and children, charged with petty mide-
meanors, of which they are not guilty in
many cases, with the most depraved Grim
| inal men, should be promptly and forever
forbidden by law.
There are many things, which concern
you deeply, which do not so directly con-
Germ our fellow citizens of other parts
of the state, and you have the right to
x.r,t,. tIn of In
will relieve you of the evils which hinder
your progress and irritate you, such as
the crowded doclets of our courts; the ex-
pensive and weak jury system wnicn
enables professional jurors and UNI
worthy men to be selected to try the
most important causes, who at times cor
rupt the fountains of justice.
These and many other important re-
forms shall receive my earnest thought
and diligent attention IL they are in
trusted to me by you, that the wonderful
growth of Jefferson county with its four
great cities, and untold wealth and natur-
al resources shall be helped, not hindered.
and thus contribute to the growth, pros
perity and welfare of our beloved statey
While these great reform measures shall
| have my best attention. / shall not forget
, that the Confederate Veterans and the
widows of Veterans. who have not the
means of supporting themselves. should
have provided for them comfortable
support. and that not in a poor house.
This is not only our duty, but labor
of love for men who risked their lives
| and shed their blood in the hottest cause
men ever fought and died for, that OF
| the right to govern ourselves.
If trusted by you I shall ever be on
guard to secure the passage of every
measure tending to promote your welfare
and to defeat every one that might mar
your happiness or hinder. your growth,
! that, we may not only have a wealthy.
prosperous community, but one that will
attract good citizens from other states 9!
our union and from Europe and induce
| them to abide with us and join in making
| this the most desirable dwelling place on
| the globe SAMUEL WILL JUN.
| May 8. 1906. ~