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

ana the IaWS pfOYlue IlldI us execution Is specially designed to benefit the agr- cultural countless and the interest of the smaller counties will be protected by pro- vision giving to each county it's full share. Thus the benefits will accrue to every sec. tion of the state, to all the people; the country schools will be more largely benefited than any other effort in their behalf.
 Churches Benefited.
 The churches will also be largely bene- fitted and the cause of religion spread, will advance civilizations; the interest in free delivery will be extended to all of the people of the rural communities. It seems unnecessary to answer the sugges- ton, that under the provision of the Over ton amendment the legislature could in- volve the state In millions. Every nteli- gent man should know that the legisla- ture cannot appropriate and make avail able money not in the treasury at the time the appropriation is made All ap- propriations are made out of the money not otherwise appropriated. It is perfect ly clear that money appropriated for road construction could not be paid unless the cash was on hand when the warrant was presented. It is also true that such ap- propriations are not creating debt against the state. An act. appropriating money is not effectual and is not operative
 
 ury. If the money appropriated was not in the treasury it could not be used on road construction, and therefore no debt would be created.
 By the very terms of the amendment submitted the state could not be involved in debt It is expressly stated therein, that the state shall not lend it's credit in aid of internal improvements, the only power given is to appropriate money, and if it has not the money it will not be appropriated or the appropriations can not be used if not in the treasury, be- cause the amendment prevents the work being done on the credit of the state.
 Present Plans.
 The present plan of improvement and maintenance of the public roads has been tried for the last 75 years Results show that the present laws of maintaining the public roads is a complete failure and a miserable makeshift. This waste of money and labor was due 10 the results of the lack of a system of intelligent road building methods.
 With the amendment adopted and ap- propriate laws passed by the legislature to put its provisions in operation a sys- tenn of roads would be constructed that will save this waste, and in a few years every county in the state will have good roads, It should be borne in mind that the amendment does not contemplate rais- ing additional revenues or Increase the taxation. This could not be done, as the constitution limits that.
 The amendment does not appropriate one dollar No appropriations can be made effective under 1t, unless there is surplus in the treasury above the reg ular and necessary expense of the state. reduction of appropriations for edu- cation or for the old soldier or the in- sane or any other such institution, is not contemplated or desired.
 It is reasonable to suppose that our states great resources and its abundance of natural advantages will be fully de- veloped in all kinds of agricultural and manufacturing possibilities, that the state revenues from funds will be increased and not decreased.
 It has been suggested that to appropri- ate the net revenue of the convict fund or any other amount, would necessarily result in reducing the appropriation of the old soldier and of the schools. If this were true, the controversy would end here.
 Economy In Good Roads.
 Alabama is one of the states rich enough to indulge in the extravaganza of poor roads, but how long will it be before the counties that have better facilities for marketing their crops begin to be dis astrous competitors? The question is How can we best serve our state?" No way will help its people, especially the farming class, more than the proposition of engaging in a crusade for the better ment of our neglected roads
 The proposition for good roads is not partisan, but is an economic question and a social problem of vast interest. It is of more benefit to you and me than any platform put forth by any political party of today Everybody should be interested in the question. Nor is there any way you can contribute more to the happiness of the people than the matter of how to get them interested in the building up of our roads.
 The good Lord intended we should do