The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-10-24
BARBER QUOTES FROM CONSTITUTION To Show That Legislators Pay Little Attention to
 Its Requirements

To the Editor of The ge-Herald:
 very much appreciate the space you have given me 10 air my views in oppo- sition to the fee amendment. I nave al- ways found The Age Herald perfectly willing to hear both sides of public question, although the management may hold very positive views on one side or the other itself.
 It is true I am no lawyer, but I still hold that any schoolboy could have drawn an amendment that would have protected the people to some degree, which I main tain the proposed amendment does not do My observation is, however, that the executive and judicial, well as the
 legislative departments of our govern ment only pay such respect 10 the con stitution as suits them, anyhow.
 Section T says, No state office shall be continued or created for the inspec- ton or measuring of any merchandise. manufacture or commodity" but be- hold our last legislature creating the office of pure food and drug inspector" and one of our citizens filling this office In direct violation of the constitution.
 Section 239 of our constitution says: No
 
 acquire by purchase or otherwise any other competing line of telegraph or telephone" and behold the "brother-in- law" agreement Of our city commissions CTS to allow the Bell company to acquire the Peoples company. So 1t would not take much of lawyer to draw up an amendment that would circumvent sec- ton 9G.
 No, I have not lost confidence in the people. The more I know of them the more convinced l am that the vast ma jority of them want to do and will do and do do the fair and right thing. If ever had any confidence in our legisla- lures, certainly the antics of the last delegation we sent from Jefferson coun- tN knocked the props out from under what little had. No. do not lack con hdence in the people, but what do lack Is confidence in our legislatures, our ex- ecutive officers and our courts. ft isns only been a few months ago since one of our sworn officials made the astound- ing statement in the public press that he knew the people did not want him to enforce some of our laws or else they would have elected his opponent instead of him, Someone else said that 1t was a good thing for him that the judge on the bench was not a mind reader, or he would be fined for contempt every time he went into the court room. What we need In this county is officers who will not persecute the helpless and innocent for the fees in 1t, and who will not persist ently let the guilty go free for what q, there Is in that also We need judges tilaf1 will judge and not warp and twist: polidI<' that have two eyes as well two hands; a sheriff that will enforce as well as arr rest; a solicitor that will solicit as well as nole prose. etc. etc. It is not so much mater of how we pay them or how much we pay them, but do they do our bidding and do it we'll? MT. Percy denies that he is personal in his criticism and places the blame on conditions" propose 10 be personal and place all tho blame where it properly belongs namely on our sworn officials I do regard this however, not as a relief, but as a dangerous subterfuge that will take much power away from the people whom we trust and put t in the hands of of- hcers whom most people mistrust. Re spectfuly, ARLIE BARBER
 Birmingham October 23, 1912