The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-02-14
HOOPER ATTACKS
 SHER|FFS' BILL The Tennessee Legislature Springs SensatOins IS MORALLY WRONG Hooper Makes Long Talk on Fee Sys- tenn and Bill Is Introduced to Abolish It-Allege Solon's
 Life Is Threatened

Nashville, February 13-More than a single sensation developed today in legisla- live circles, one being the veto by Gov srnor Hooper of a measure backed by state sherffs seeking to increase the daily beard for prisoners from 40 to 50 cents per hay. in which the fee system at present prevailing was vigorously attacked as Economically and morally wrong" and subject to grave abuses. Considerable ex- element prevailed in the house as a re- suit of motion to have investigation or rumor to the effect that members life had been threatened in case he voted against the Nashville charter amendment bill. This motion was finally tabled.
 Another stir was occasioned by the presentation by Governor Hooper of the name of Prof. G. A. Dyer of Vanderbilt university to the senate. Upon motion of Senator Cox that body went into execu- tive session over the matter, indicating that the expected fight over his confirma- tion had materialized.
 In disappearing the measure increasing sheriff's fees Governor Hooper stated, after declaring that the present price was adequate. "The entire system of paying 
 he puts in jail and keeps there is eco nomically and morally wrong. and has beer subject to grave abuses. It is a fact we'll known to every member of the legs- lature that sheriffs and their deputies frequently fill the jails with men and boys charged with frivolous misdemean- ors in order to pile up jail fees to be paid by the public.
 First and last. this practice has pre- vailed, dare say, in every county of the state. This is a vicious feature of the criminal system in many of our states that intelligent criminologists striv ing to correct. A casual reading of cur rent literature along this line will dis clcse the fact that the entire trend of enlightened modern thought is opposed to this system. It does seem to me that if we cannot immediately wipe out the jail fee system we ought at least to avoid the mistake of further intensifying its evils by increasing the temptation to abuse it.
 Increase jail fees 25 per cent, as this bill does, and you add a great burden to the taxpayers of the state in two ways: First, the direct increase of 25 per cent as figured upon the present number of prisoners, and second, the entire expense of caring for the great number of addi tional prisoners that will surely result. All this will amount to multiplied thou 9dnuS or OOlldfS edcll year, anu III tut years to come the aggregate will be enor- mcus. When in addition to this one thinks of the increased number of crimi- nals that will be trained and educated amid the influences of vice and idleness prevalent in the ordinary jail, the end cannot be seen.'
 A measure of much moment was intro Auced by Senator Turner providing for the regulation of the salaries of county officers, and in fact the entire abolition Of the present fee system in the state. Section 1 provides that the "clerls and masters of the various chancery courts. clerks of the various circuits. county, spe- efal and criminal courts. county trustees, registers of deeds, sheriffs and supreme court clerks of the state shall be deprived of all their fees, commissions emolu- ments and perquisites that shall here after accrue or be received by virtue or their respective offices, and they shall be compensated for their duties by fixed salary alone"
 George T. Renfroe of Crossville has been appointed by Governor Hooper as super lntendent of the state capitol.