The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-04-24

l have been asked by many friends when
| was going to open my campaign for the
office of representative In the state legis-
lat'ire from this county The acceptance
CT this office will entail serious flnan-
cial sacrifice, as we'll as an equally Sc
rioHs eacrifice in the enforced absence
from home. A place in the Legislature, if
[ am elected, will be no stepping stone in
81 political career. Nor have l any sell
fish cause to promote. | am willing to
serve the people of this county in this
capacity, but cannot make a canvass of
the county, nor will / hire workers or
spono a dollar in procuring votes l should
Ike to have the votes of my fellow cit
liens as an evidence of their confidence
iii my unselfsh purpose to work for the
welfare of this community.
In return for your votes ] can only
pledge my honest effort to give to the
varied public questions which may arise
the best of my ability, from the stand
| point not of any faction or corporation,
bat of the best interests of the entire
community.
Commission Form of Government for
City of Birmingham
I have long believed the present form
of our city government Anticipated and
unscientific, and was first induced to Of
fer for the Legislature by the hope that
community in which live in procuring a
mere efficient form of government. The
history of the United States has shown
our national, state and county govern
lpents to have been administered with fair
efficiency and refreshing honesty. The
government of American cities has been
productive of incapacity and scandals
which gravely reflect on our administra-
tive capacity, and would almost shock the
citizen of a Central American. republic.
The corruption of the Pittsburg alder
rranic board is fresh in the public mind
Forty-t two st. Louis aldermen formed a
syndicate to sell public franchises to the
highest bidder; San Francisco, Mime
apclis ana scores of other American cities
have proved the corruption and incapac-
i,y logically resulting from the alder
manic form of government.
] do not desire to wage war upon indi-
viduals. 1t is the system which is utterly
bad, and which / ask our people to con-
slider in a thoughtful, impersonal way.
Greater Birmingham is governed by 80
aldermen selected from 16 different wards,
the mayor being merely an executive Of
ficef. The duties of these aldermen are
important and exacting, for they control
among other things. our public improve
rderts. sanitation and municipal financing
For this onerous work, carrying no great
honor, they are paid nothing out of the
public treasury. Is this system calcu-
lated to procure capable public servants,
lateG To procure capable public servants,
Some of our best citizens have served and
ere serving as aldermen from motives of
pure patriotism. But the system is bad
and has not secured economic public i'm
provements or creditable financing in the
last. The city of Birmingham has en- :,
tered upon a policy of expansion which
will be followed by important financing
and costly improvements. The glorious
future. of Birmingham is no longer an ir-
r.descent dream of optimists. Quietly and
swiftly a second Gary is building partly
within our corporate limits. The assured
success and development OF our great steel
Industry and other enterprises actually
unoer way means the doubling of our pop
ulation in five years. The municipal prob
icma incident to this tremendous growth
will demand all of tn ; time OF business
men of real ability. IT Is not just to ask
3. of our citizens to give the time, thought
and work required for governing Greater
Birmingham of the early future without
compensation. 1t Is foolish 10 expect 20
unpaid aldermen to give up as much Of
their time as BIrmingham's municipal
problem properly handled will soon re-
cuire. Greater Birmingham should be-