The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-07-27
Governor MasIerfuIIy Reviews
AIabamss Criminal Record
NEW OFFICERS ARE ELECTED
JeIks' Remarks In Gadscen Considered
Especially Apropos In View of Re-
cent Happenings In
That City.

Gadsder July Specia1)-The fea-
lures of today's sessions of the Alabama
Press association were the addresses de-
livered this afternoon at the court house
by Senator John T. Morgan and Gov
w D. Jelks.
The annual election of officers of the
association was held today at the Hotel
Bellevue with the following result:
President-R e. L. Neil Selma.
First Vice Presldent-H. s. Doster
Prattville
Second Vice President--J. c. Lawrence
Union Springs.
Secretary-Jacob Pepperman, Montgom-
cry.
Treasurer-Frank crichton. Clanton.
Advertising Committee Reports.
The second days proceedings were
opened at o'clock this morning. The
! first business taken up was the report Of
the committee on foreign advertising
The report was read by the chairman of
the committee. w T. Wear OF the Opelika
News. who rendered a most exhaustive
and complete report, which was listened
/
port recommended that the association
establish an agency to represent the pa
pers and that 1t be an Incorporated COM
pany, the stock to be owned and con-
trolled by the members OF the State Press
association. The subject was thoroughly
discussed by different members and many
valuable suggestions were brought out. A
committee of six with w. T. Wear as
secretary was appointed to complete the
organization of the agency.
The committee on resolutions reported
and read resolutions thanking the citizens
Of Gadsden. and the local press for the
many courtesies extended to them dur
Ing their visit and to Manager Loui Hart
of Hotel Bellevue for the manner in
which he had entertained them. A mes
sage of greeting and good wishes for
his speedy recovery were sent to Col. w
NJ. Meeks who is Ill at Hot Springs, Ark
A message of greeting was sent the
Georgia Press association which was In
session at the same time on the other end
of Lookout mountain near Chattanooga.
w. w. Screws of the Montgomery Ad-
vertser extended the association an in
vitation to meet In that city next year
The invitation met with the approval of
the members. but was left to the decision
of the executive committee. The meet
ing then adjourned
Reconvene at Court House.
The association reconvened at the court
house at 3 o'clock to hear the addresses
of Senator John r. Morgan and Governor
Jelks. Governor Jelks spoke first. He was
introduced by President Greer. Uphold
ing the Law was the subject which the
chief executive selected from which to
make his remarks.
In view of the recent happenings in
this city, which attracted the attention
of the outside world the talk of Gov
ernor Jel<s was particularly apt and Sig
nficant He dwelt upon the necessity Of
| recognizing the superior force of law
and order that the integrity of the gov
ernment be maintained.
He said thas public opinion was the
only way to remedy the evil of crime and
that public opinion could only be mould
through the press. The Governor was
frequently interrupted by applause.
Governor Jelks Speaks.
Matter mind and spirit are all under
the dominion of the law" said the gov
ernor. mo domain or parts of domain
can be outside of II. Natures laws are
as inexorable as death. II the body SINS
the body pays, IL 1t earns death. death
is certain to claim II. They care moth
| ing for man, and are Indifferent TO his
wishes. If he would use them he must
obey them. If he follows their order. they
will assist him. II he moves In their path
they will destroy him Just as there Is
law in the animal and vegetable king
dom; Just as there Is law In the spiritual
and mental world so there should be
for countries and societies. This brings
me to the point OF my discussion which
alone could have brought me from my
duties in Montgomery: The laws on the
statue books and the execution of them
Even savages have a code. though I'M
written The Aztecs, when Cortez found
them had code IN pictures. The Grim
inal laws of Alabama are all right They
are Founded upon the Ten Commandments.
They lie close along the laws laid down by
the Omnipotent, himself The consensus
Of public opinion in Alabama knows fair
ly well what Is right, and in the main
have spoken II In It's organic and statu-
tory law. 1t is written down fairly. and
will challenge comparison with that Of
any state or any political society any
where. Wise men of all times have con-
tributed to this essence Of law which is
perfected in our books. IT Is the enforce
ment Of this law that / wish specially
to speak to you about.
Too Many HomIcides In Alabama.
There are more homicides in Alabama.
IL may surprise you to know. with its
less than two millions of people, than
perhaps in all England and Its white
colonies combined. I have not the statis-
tics OF homicides in Alabama for the
last few years, but II | had them they
would appal you. Still tho laws on the
statute books are very prohibitory. and
are not difficult TO interpret.
About five years ago. when 7 began
my service In the governors office,
was confronted with a lynching IN one
OF the counties In this state. II was an
unprovoked murder OF an absolutely IN
nocent man A brave judge and brave
solicitor, with the help OF some special
counsel furnished by the administration.
convicted something like a half dozen OF
the self-constituted guardians OF the law
and sent them TO the penitentiary. The
great mob spirit. in the presence of this
triumph of the law hesitated and halted.
and almost went out of business.
When l had been In the governors Of
fice three years. 7 carefully inquired into
the facts Of every one OF the five lynch
ings that had taken place. II would as