The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-04-18

of public roads in the state, and the leg , islature may make additional approprla- tions for that purpose" 1t will be seen , from the last line that any funds of the state can be appropriated. In other words,
 the constitutional provision against state
 aid to internal improvements will be
 broken down and the gates opened for such appropriations along that line that
 any legislature might see proper. The
 last two constitutional conventions were
 decidedly against this latter proposition.
 It was very dangerous and destructive
 immediately after the war It may be
 dangerous yet.
 Wants Higher Education.
 favor taking care of the old soldiers;
 1 favor taking Alabama from it's low
 position as regards ignorance in the sister
 hood of states and placing 1t on a much
 higher basis This will require, in my
 opinion, all the money we can possibly
 spare for series of years to come.
 l would caution you as teachers of the
 state to thoroughly understand this mat
 ter and on your return home discuss it
 wit the voters, as I think there can be
 serious misconception of this worthy cause.
 The convict fund is paid into the state treasury and after it is once paid it be-
 comes part of the treasury, just like any
 other fund. The legislature in recent session appropriated large sums of money
 for the care of the old soldiers and the schools. l can think of no more worthy object than these two causes. It is use less to state that since the prohibition law went into effect and consequently the loss of the whisky license, the funds of
 the state will necessarily be greately de-
 pleted, and it is going to be very close
 sailing to carry out not only benevolent, but absolutely necessary appropriations. %la ri,,f fund, is taken from the state treasury, l it means that the state appropriations 1 to the extent of $500, 900 per year must be curtailed. Without this GOO it would be impossible to maintain the present ap- propriation for the old soldiers and the | schools l believe it would be a calam- | ity for the state to retrace it's advanced
 steps in the cause of education, or retrace
 it's advanced steps in taking care of these 1 old men in their last days.
 If the people of the state desire to | vote on the constitutional question of | taxing the state to make internal i'm provements, repudiating the settled policy Of the state which was made years ago, | because it was found that state aid to 1 internal improvements was dangerous-so | dangerous that the constitution was 1 framed against it-it is all right. But 1 let them do it with their eyes open, and with a clear understanding of the | question before them. When you come to the diversion of money under the guise of naming some particular fund, 1 the convict fund, and incidentally any
 and all funds which are now going into I the state treasury, and are being used | to maintain the states appropriations to- wards the old soldier and the schools and all other causes, it becomes your duty as teachers of the state to explain this question to the people and let them en- ter into it with thorough understanding that in so doing they are p1edging the state to change the policy laid down by the last legislature in giving renewed facilities to education and renewed care to the old soldiers, but also the policy
 of the state since reconstruction days.
 mention these things because it must be conceded that the usual expenses of the state must first be met. So no matter
 what fund you take from the treasury,
 whether convict fund. or any other fund.- it all comes out of the treasury and must be replaced by some form of tax
 cept direct taxation, and I doubt if the state is at this time prepared to largely increase the valuation of property, which increase will be necessary unless you go back and remove the constitutional limi- tation of 61a mills. As governor, l will state that the provision for the old sol diers for the schools, and for good roads are three great propositions, and each IS important to the well being of our people. The people must decide the best method of obtaining these blessings. and cast
 their ballots with wisdom and prudence.