The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-06-12
Speakers At Yesterdays Meet ing Said This is No Time
 for Petty Jea|Ousies
GREAT COUNTY MUST NOT
 IMPEDE WORK OF COURTS
Speakers Favor Courthouse For Bes- semer and Believe Bessemer People Want to, See Big Build
 Ing In Birmingham.

An enthusiastic meeting of the bond is- sue committee was held immediately after the Chamber of Commerce held its ses- sion yesterday afternoon and resulted in launching an aggressive campaign for the adoption of the bond issue on June 19 for the erection of a new courthouse and jail.
 John L. Raul, the retired president Of the Chamber of Commerce. was elected chairman of campaign committee which l proposes to put speakers in the various precincts, arrange plans to arouse en- thusiasm over the county, to place work CTS at the polls, and to carry the elec- ton with a wave of enthusiasm. Speeches were made by R. N. Rhodes, 1v G. Bush, Judge Charles H. Senn and Capt Frank White, which bristled with gook argument.
 Rufus N. Rhodes, who was chairman of the committee that waited on the Board of Revenue and petitioned that the elee- ton be called, presided over the meeting and explained the necessity of immediate action.
 DepIores Petty Jealousies. Col. T. G. Bush was called and said q think 1t is much to be deplored that the county seems to be full of petty jealousies, which are cross firing all along and interruptlng the progress of all our people.
 This is not an Ensley matter, not Bessemer matter, not a Birmingham matter, but it is a great important coun- ty matter. As far as I am able to see the plan adopted by the County commis- sioners is the best for all parties. We need a large spacious building.
 q am thoroughly in accord with the proposition to- build a courthouse at Bes- semer if we have one here. This has nothing to do with whether they have a new county or not. They have voice in the matter and should receive fair consideration.
 Sometimes these things fall through as a result of inactivity and indifference. If the good voters will assume their responsibility and this committee will use it's best efforts and devise careful meth-
  adoption of the bond issue.
 Talk of an increase in the tax rate is absolutely absurd. There Is more money coming in here all the time and the growth of the district will easily take care of the interest on the bonds. AS a citizen of Jefferson county, and not of Birmingham,~ I heartily indorse the bond issue and urge all the fair minded voters to go out and carry it through"
 Raul Elected Chairman.
 E. W. Barrett, after a reference to Colonel Bush's excellent speech, moved that John L. Raul be elected chairman of committee to be appointed by MT. Raul to act as a campaign committee, to advance and push to final success the passage of the bond issue.
 This motion was unanimously carried and, after some hesftancy, MT. Raul ac cepted the responsibility.
 Judge senn Speaks.
 Judge Charles H. Senn was introduced and said that he came to testify rath- CT than make speech. You can do more for the passage of this issue by getting as many people as you can to go through this courthouse and see for themselves. We haven't decent court room not a place in the building where a witness can have an accommodation. Women when called to the courthouse and put under rule as witnesses have to stand in the hall by the hour. You cant try law suits right up there.
 "The courthouse as it now stands is really a nuisance and 1t ought to be abated." His last idea was that the rec ords, of real estate and property ex- changes, courts and assessments are open to petty thieves and fire.
 Capt. White on Situation.
 Capt. Frank White said: We lawyers get the worst end of it. There is noth- ing about the present building that com mends it. The ventilation Is bad, there is not decent court room, the noise is exceedingly bad, there are no accom- modations there whatever, nothing on earth for the jurors. I would just as soon go to Jail as become juror under present conditions.
 "We must relieve the congestion -and have a decent place for county prisoners. That Jail reflects upon our civilization, upon our Christianity We should not conclude that because man is in jail he is bad. Some of the greatest men have spent months In Jail. Some of our greatest books have been written in jail
 Now, I am in favor of giving Bes- semer fair deal and ask Bessemer to give the balance of the county a fair deal We are large enough and big hearted enough to be generous all round"
 The meeting adjourned and the cam paign committee will get together as soon as Chairman Kaul appoints 1t.