The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-03-30

didates, and the matter will probably
rest there: that is about the extent
to which supreme court justices usual
ly get into the political game.
When Judge Russell ran against
Justice Simmons he made a pretty
thorough canvass of the state, but Jas
tice Simmons confined himself to one
or two statements made through the
newspapers and remained in his office
at the capitol.
A race for the supreme court would
prove rather unique but the posi-
bility of it is present this year.
Crazy Prisoners
Among the nearly 500 inmates in
the United States prison near Atlanta
there are four or five near-insane ones
just little ''looney''-not crazy
enough to be confined in the asylum for
the insane but sufficiently off to Ie-
quire especial attention at times
AS rule they are crazy on the sub
iect of religion, talk on religious sub
jects and quote freely from the Bible.
An amusing story is told of one of
them by DR.. A. L. Fowler, the fed
eral prison physician. This particular
crazy prisoner has the habit of re-
fusing to answer any question put to
him or to converse with any one until
he has first crossed his heart" and
said prayer, often one of some
length.
Not long ago the man had some slight
ailment which necessitated the attention
of the physician. DR.. Fowler was aware
of his popularity, so the day after when
he saw him he asked him how he was,
Their went about some other business, re-
turning in about five minutes to see what
he would have to say.
As the doctor approached the second
time the man arose from his knees,
crossed himself again and replied to the
question asked him five INMATES before:
Il am now at peace with my God;
feel better today, thank you
Unlimited Power
Under the supreme court decision in
tie case of Gray vs. McLendon," said a
prominent state official today, 1.-The COVER
nor has practically unlimited power in
| the matter of the suspension from office
| of members of the railroad. He can dis
miss them whenever he pleases, with or
without cause, and all he needs to say
to the legislature about it is, I have
done IT. it is up to you to do as you please
about it,
The supreme court has declared that
the legislature has the authority to con-
fer this extreme power on the governor,
so It must stand until the legislature sees
fit to change 1t.
THE court did not pass on the validity
of the causes. for Mr.. McLendon's suspen-
sion and dismissal, evidently because 1t
considered it unnecessary in view of the
fact that the governor has power to sus-
pend, and the legislature to dismiss even
without cause.
so IN case injustice should be done in
suspension and dismissal under this law
there is but one appeal-to the people. AS
rule the people will right an unjust ac-
ton; there are instances of it within our
own knowledge and recollection.
IF this is too much power for the gov
ernor to have there is only one thing to
do, and that Is for the legislature to
modify or repeal the law"
There was a bill passed by the senate
at its last session taking away from the
governor the power to suspend railroad
commissioner for political causes, but it
is doubtful If it could pass the present
house; most probably not.