The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-08-11
LETTERS TO EDITOR

l To the Editor of The Age Herald. i The public is reading with much interest communications published in your paper | in reference to the bond issue to be voted on next Monday. MT. Slbley's article in reply to mine something like week ago and his article this morning, well writ ten as they were, and the interviews pub lished from others from time to time | have so far as 1 can see added nothing to | the argument in favor of this bond issue i The only argument that has been pre- sented is to erect a building of such mag nificent proportions and cost that we boosters of Birmingham can ride by and | point with pride to a million dollar edifice erected for our courts, but more especially call attention to the elegance of our S200,000 jail.
 I never believed that immense structures of this kind added to any community. It flas been my impression all along that they should be built to cover the bare necessities for governmental use. l am in favor at all times of striving for condition of affairs that will avoid the necessity for jails and mammoth court houses. My argument, and that of others who are opposing this bond issue, is to build only for the absolute necessity of the government, after having made sim cere effort to reduce the necessity to it's lowest limits.
 I have pointed out before that for sum not to exceed s150,000 a fireproof structure can be put on the old jail site immediately on the corner of Twenty-first street and Fourth avenue of sufficient capacity to care for all the courts of rec ord in our county. That for S25,0O0 moro another story can be added on the present jail and all parts of it made entirely san itary and satisfactory even to Dr. Oates. Not exceeding s3OO00 could be expended in rearranging the present courthouse. Ger talnly for the sum of s225000 all these con- veniences and needed room can be cared for.
 The divorcing of the Hillman hospital issue from the other issue certainly was a very wise thing on the part of the boar,t of revenue. A great many people are willing to vote for tine improvement of the hospital. I think it is a very wise proposition to invest s500O0 in the lot ad- joining for present and futur,, purposes. and l have no objection whatever to add ing another s50.000 in a building. But to vote for another million dollars to cree. a court house that is not needed, and will not be needed for years to come, is poor business and the majority of tho people of this county ought to say so next Mon day
 would not create the impression thas the hoard of revenue and those who are favoring the bond issue are actuated by any other motive than that they think it is best for the county. People err and this IS one time they are wrong in their premises. They think that the people who are going to vote against this bond issue next Monday are wrong. It is mere matter of difference of opinion. This thing of saddling a million dollar debt ou the county for the voters 10 pay interest on just because somebody wants to have things very elaborate in the way of a court house and jail, is not right from any view point so far as can see And Mir. Sibley and the rest will have to show the voters of this county a great deal more than picture and a promise be- fore we will vote favorably on proposi- ton cf this kind I believe in the peo- pie saying what they want. That the bond issue for a court nouse and 1ail such as is presented to the voters in this
 picture and promise" will be defeated is the opinion of a great many more than that os your humble servant.
 r. N. JACKSON.
 Birmingham, August 1a. 1912.