The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-10-04

state supervision with state aid, should the legislature at any time desire. This is. the reason the Alabama Good Roads association is appealing to the voters of Alabama, irrespective of what party or faction they belong to. The proposition of amending the constitution is not a partisan one, but an economic one.
 Democratic Resolution.
 The democratic state convention in Sep tember, 1906, adopted the following reso- lution:
 First, Resolved, that we favor the building of good roads and highways throughout the state of Alabama.
 Second. We favor as liberal an appro- priation by the state legislature as the treasury can bear without interfering with the appropriation for the Confeder- ate soldier and schools to aid the coun- ties of the state in building good roads.
 The last state campaign, the issue was the railroads were charging the farmer too much to haul his farm products and fertilizer, and that rate needed regulat- ing and should be reduced. It costs the farmer to haul his fertilizer and farm products over the dirt roads such as we have in the state of Alabama, from 20 to 30 times more ton mile than the railroads charging. So there are 20 to g times greater reasons why we should have the laws which will enable the peo- pie to have good roads where it will not cost the farmers and the people of Ala bama, $35,0O0 every time the sun sets, which is an absolute loss to the people of our state, due to their bad roads. It is estimated by the Unietd States agri- cultural department that every time the sun sets the American farmers lose a,- 100000 The pro rata of this enormous loss to the people and the farmers of Alabama is about $1,0O0,000 per month, or s12000,000 a year.
 Economic Issue.
 This is an astounding loss, and it is the greatest political economic issue that has ever confronted the people of Ala bama in it's entire history. Therefore tho Alabama Good Roads association urge on every voter to vote for the Overton amendment, whereby practical, modern laws can be enacted which will make 1t possible to have state supervision with state aid. The people of Alabama owe much to our United States senators and congressman, who are advocating na- tional aid. Senator Bankhead has cham pioned in the past much for the up-build- ing of the state, and as member of the Rivers and Harbofs committee, in ob- taining large and liberal appropriations amounting to millions of dollars for the rivers and harbors of our state, which has been of untold benefits to our state. The people owe this distinguished sena- tor another great debt in his present eff fort in advocating national aid for the construction of our neglected highways of the state, and also to the distinguished congressman, Oscar W. Underwood, wh5 is championirg in the United States con n speeches in many of the counties of the state for the amendment to the consti- tuition for better highway laws. The na- tional government good road aid is de- sired, which will help the state of Ala bama to build up her neglected roads.
 The Alabama Good Roads association IS actuated by patriotic desire to promote the public welfare, and its conduct will not be controlled by motives or purposes / favoring or advancing any political ambi- tion or party faction, to make an early effort to secure the adoption of the amendment upon the idea of promoting the general welfare looking to the future development of its immense natural re- sources and the numerous benefits which all the people will enjoy through im- i proved highways.
 Call On Intelligence.
 We rely confidently upon the intelligence
  They were trusted through their chosen representatives to frame the constitution, and when the necessity arises they can be trusted to amend it.; they can also be trusted to elect representatives who will properly legislate under it's supervision. The amendment Is as follows: The state should not engage in works of in- ternal improvements or lend money or it's credit in aid of such nor shall the state be interested in any private CO., operation enterprise or lend money or it's credit to any individual association or corporation, provided that the state may, under appropriate laws, cause the net proceeds from the convicts to be applied to the construction, repair and mainten- ance of public roads in the state, and the legislature may also make additional ap- propriations for that purpose.
 The question has been asked: Can any one give a good reason why the pro- posed amendment specially refers to the convict fund? And then proceed to in- clude every character of the states rev. enue. This Is pertinent inquiry and is entitled to frank answer. The convict fund Is the proceeds and the labor of the state convicts. The cost of their viction Is borne by the taxpayers of the respective counties, and all of the costs of the administering of the courts is to be paid out of the county treasury except the salaries of the judges and solicitors, the latter paid by fees collected and paid into the state treasury
 The earnings of what is known as coun- ty convicts now go to the county, but this fund is not sufficient except in a few of the counties to pay the state wit nesses and officers claims against the fine and forfeiture fund
 Convict Funds.
 It seems to be fair and just that the net proceeds of the state convicts should also be returned to the counties which have paid the cost of conviction, and the con vict fund is not a part of the legitimate revenue of the state derived from tax ation. 1t is fine imposed by the state upon those that violate the law, and not q tax collected, as are tne other revenues of the state. This is unjust the fine should go back to the county which cre- ated it and be applied to road construc- ton.
 In further explanation of the amend ment, the words ''and the legislature may also make additional appropriations for this purpose" were inserted as a matter of precaution and to meet the contin- gency that might arise. Suppose the leg islature should abolish the lease system or should authorize the working of the convicts on the roads; or should determine tG build and equip large and expensive prisons and work the convicts on state account in order to move them from com petition of the free industries or with free labor, under either of these condi- tions there would be no revenue. The net revenues from convict labor might be en- tirely eliminated and still by increased wealth of the state produced by the de-