The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-07-14

Saturday because of the abuse of the power vested in the officials to appoint deputies. The governor referred partic- ularly to Jefferson county, where 'dep- uty sheriffs have been appointed by the sheriff at the instance of certain private corporations, to whom they were expect ed to look for their compensation or sal- ary, and whose orders they were expect ed implicitly to obey"
 Allegiance to State
 The executive declared that deputy ceive compensation alone from the state. But under the system which now pre- vails," said the governor, the vast DOW CT which he possesses as a deputy of the sheriff, vested with the chief executive power of the county, can be used to grat- fly personal vengeance. to vindiate not the law, but the malice of the selfish in- terests of a private employer
 Governor oNeal asserted that "the evil effects of this system was very clearly demonstrated in the labor strike which occurred in Jefferson county in 1908. when hundreds of deputies were ap- pointed by the sheriff upon the request of private corporations by whom they were paid a per diem salary, handsome portion of which it is alleged was re- tained by the sheriff.
 These deputies were employed osten- sibly to protect the property of the cor porations, whose employees had struck, " continued Governor O'Neal, but it was claimed by the leaders of the labor unions that they were used principally as agen- cies to intimidate or overawe those who were engaged in an effort to secure just compensation for their labor. However this may be, it is clear that the property of citizens of the state should be pro- tected through the agency of the state and not by hirelings employed by citizere or corporations, clothed with the vast powers which the law confers upon the sheriff of each county. A man cannot serve two masters; he cannot serve both the state and a private corporation or in- dividual, because their interests may con flict. In the event of any conflict cat you doubt that the deputy under such an indefensible system would not hesitate to obey the orders of and execute the com- mands of the private employer by whom his salary is paid?
 'The vast number of frivolous prosecu- tons which clog our dockets occupy the attention of our courts and juries and en- tail enormous expense upon the state and counties is largely due to the present sys- tenn by which prosecutions can be com menced by fee grabbing officials or pri- vate individuals inspired not by any de- sire to subserve the public good but te gratify private vengeance, or avaricious greed of justices of the peace, municipal officers. constables or sheriffs.' ''
 Governor ONeal declared that too many judges are employed in Alabama and that the judicial system lacks harmony.
 His address follows:
 Address of Governor
 Governor O'Neal spoke as follows
 Man is so constituted by his nature that he requires association with his fel- lowmen. In the absence of this social instinct there would be no society, and without society the race could not develop much above the level of the brute crea- ton. That man is a social being, there fore, all history teaches, and no race or tribe of people has ever yet been dis covered where some form of organized society did not exist. Society, then, is mans natural state, the outgrowth of his social instinct, but society could not exist without some form of government
 
 so constituted that they were absolutely unselfish and free from passion and greed from malice or spirit of venge- ance, government might be unnecessary. However, these ideal conditions have never existed and can never be expected to exist as long as we possess the frail- ties, passions and inclinations known to the race. Government then IS necessary that society may continue, and the chief nf f- lection of the weak against the strong, the guarantee to every individual of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Crime is the point of conflict between the individual and society, and the capacity of any society or any form of govern ment to deal with crime is the paramount test of its efficiency. With the complex ity of modern civilization the war between organized society and crime grows more intense The very growth of our civiiza- tion itself increases the number of crimes and renders more imperative the neces- sity of prompt, vigorous and efficient administration of the law. With the n- crease of our wealth and population the diversity of products and the enormous interests demanding protection. it is es- sential that the viGor and efficiency of the execution of our criminal laws keep apace with our industrial growth. The truth of this observation was made mani Test recently when I stood with the mayor of the city of New York on the reviewing stand before which passed in review 5000 policemen of that great city. Even this enormous number of constahulary was only part of the organized army to pro- tect the life and property of the mil lions living within the corporate limits or that great city. Disband that police force and within twenty-four hours a state of anarchy and lawlessness incon- ceivable would reign supreme
 Breakdown of Criminal Laws
 "It has been estimated that 5000 mur- ders are annually committed in the United States and that less than 2 per cent of that enormous number pays the penalty of law.
 The United States, according to re.