The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-07-19
JUDGECOLEMANDISCUSSES
 GOOD ROADS AMENDMENT

Judge Thomas W. Coleman, one of the best known citizens of the state, has the following to say In reference to the proposed amendment affecting state roads:
 I want it understood that I advocate good roads and rejoice in the fact that the public mind has become interested, and that great progress has been made and Is being made all over the state without any constitutional amendment.
 I think the proposed method, through an amendment to the constitution, un- necessary, unwise and unjust. Let the question be argued fairly, and as 1t af- fects every county in the state, reasons for and against should be given wide publicity through the press It is grave matter to change the organism or the state.
 First, the proposed amendment does not limit the authority Of the leglsla- ture to the appropriation Of the net pro ceeds of the convict fund to good roaos' hnt nrovides that 1t ''may also make ad- ditional appropriations for that puf- uose.'' See Acts of 1907, page l4O. rms abatement put "quietus' on the clalh that only the convict fund can De useo' The authority of the legislature Will De made absolute in its discretion as to ex- tent of appropriation to pupllc roaos' after exhaustng the convict lunu'
 Can anv one give a reasonable req son" why the proposed amendment spe- o;s,ca1lv referred to the convict tpno, and then proceeded to include every character of the states revenue! w ny have the papers referred to IL as incluu ing only met convict fund When' II, fact. the amendment reached that auu all other revenues? Was the taxpayer Id fnfn that as he paid directly no part Of the convict fund he could therefore consent to lei that go without suffering any loss as a taxpayerP 4Aa would not say the framers of the amendatory provision intended 10 niis lead. but published references have mace that impression upon some. ine eon vict fund Is as much liable to oeti1s the expenses of the state, to pay sal aries, to supplement the oio so,uie s a1, support. sustain the asylums anu i' ad,,cational purposes as the revenues oe- rtved directly from taxation Of prop .rtv If may be true that one cannol fooI all inc people all the time, in the same way, but as for finding out new Ss,avs and startling new ''fads" the mod ern politician can and has distanceo eno heather Chinee for cunning. Bvery M new .nro,noter'' reminds the people that they been yreat stream of money for many years, ana have received very little for it" out always assures them that in the pres ent instances the money to be paid IS for their good. -
 There is no doubt that all of the pres ent revenues of the state are requireu to meet the demands already exlstins. To divert any substantial amount or tne revenues 'including convict funds to pa fion in the salaries of existing officers, or for educational purposes, or alo to tIe old soldiers or the asylums, or VIII force an increase of revenue py taAa +ion mon either property, francnlse or privilege. .
 I want to see that proposition an swered, viz: How can any consluerap,e amount of the states revenues lncluu- ing convict fund, be appropriated 10 s-ood roads without necessitating cut fine down of salaries, or diminution or appropriation to education, or to the oid soldier or his widow, or other necessary institution, or greatly endangering the same n,
 Already the old soldier has suHereu from having a part of his expected oues ninched off. In many portions of the stata nronertv values and income from manufacturing enterprises were materl- allv affected and reduced by the panic wish to see these propositions an- swered. not by vehement generalties or the "whoop- em-up'' style, but by dry facts and figures. We are not in con dition to stand any more burdens just yet.
 Independent of all these conditions, any leaving them out of view altogether I hold that the plan for improving pup lie roads, as it is under the present con stitution, is better, fairer, more just ana will prove more effective and satsfac- tory than that contemplated by the pro posed amendment, and that the latter is wholly unnecessary.
 First. the amendment will increase the officers of the state, and with that iri- crease more money will Do demanded for officers. Now one paper uses the following language; "The demand for money has usually been in the demand for more officers and for an increase in salaries. The people of Alabama art tired of this" I undertake to say that paper cannot devise plan by which the revenue of the state can be utilized for good roads without appoint