The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-08-10
Explain Their Attitude on Question Which Will Be
 Voted Upon Monday
ISSUE SUBMITTED
 ON URGENT DEMAND
But the Members Say It Is Entirely With the Voters and That They Will Take No Part in
 the Campaign

The Jefferson county board of revenue yesterday issued an important statement on the courthouse jail and hospital bond election which will be submitted 10 the voters next Monday.
 The members of the board explain their position in the matter and point out that the bond issue question was submitted only after the most urgent demands of citizens and practically united press for relief from the ntolerable conditions at the courthouse, jail and hospital. They propose to make no campaign, enter no controversy, but leave the question entire- ly to the voters of the county for state ments. Their statement reads as follows:
 I've notice in am editorial in the News of the sth Inst. criticism of the board of revenue for an alleged failure on it's part to take the public into it's confidence in the matter of the bond election and de- } manding to know what the board proposes to do in the matter of locating the build ing of the courthouse and jail should the proposition to authorize them to issue the bonds meet with success at the polls.
 Investigated Carefully
 'The board was in no hurry in calling the election and did not finally determine to do so until after request of a large number of citizens. the recommendation of several grand juries and the urgent insis- tence of an almost united press. It was pointed out to tbe board by the press of this city that nothing but a new court l house would meet the requirements of the | ci pf xyb had ness in the courthouse, knows full well the. crowded condition of corridors and courtrooms all during last year. which condition called aloud for remedy.
 "The board undertook to relieve the sit uation by a small addition and repair work, and had plans made by an archi- tect to that end, but desisted on account of the criticism of the press that to re- pair would be a mere waste of money. It | then became manifest to the board that the people should have the right to pass upon the question of relieving the made quate accommodations in the present courthouse, and hence a resolution was finally adopted calling the election. The board was in no hurry to do so. but acted with deliberation and judgment.
 Two Things to Consider
 '1n this there were two matters to be orsidered-whether or not a temporary structure should be built with county war rants which would necessitate an increase in the tax rate to pay, whether or not an election should be called and the ques- tion of bond issue, with which to ac- quire the funds to build without an ad- ditional increase in the tax rates. should be submitted to the people for their de- termination. The latter course was pur- sued, and the, election called for August ,r1l hoe I..1 al as a matter entirely for the people to de- termine without any partisan advocacy on the part of the board. It is a matter that the people can decide. There is not a voter in Jefferson county who is not fa- miliar with needs of this county in this courthouse matter.
 If the bond issue carries and the board is authorized to issue bonds, before those bonds are issued and sold every detail will have ben worked out with the closest scrutiny and judgment, looking only to the best interest of the whole county. The board will be In no hurry and will be ready and willing to hear any suggestions by any citizen of the county.
 Only One Location Considered "As to the location there has never been any proposition other than that of locat- ing it upon the only available ground | which the county now has, to-wit, upon the present site of the jail on Fourth ave- | nue and Twenty-hrst street. Should any one come before the board with a better proposition the board would accord such l person careful and patient hearing and be guided as they have in the past only | with purpose for the best interest of the whole county, trusting to their best judgment and being willing to abide the consequence even though in so doing. | whatever course is pursued, will meet with objections from some source.
 -The board has endeavored to be as l specific in the matter of the character of l building to be erected is practicable. 1 They have caused plans to be made of the proposed building by an experienced and competent architect. sp that any citizen could familiarize himself with tine l details. These plans have been placed in public places and have been accessible | to anyone who wished to see them. The 1 board does not feel that 1t is called upon to wage a campaign upon this matter, and will not do so. It will not be led into a newspaper controversy. It will leave the determination of the question as it is in duty bound to do, where it justly and rightly belongs. to the voters, in the elec- tion to be held on Monday next, and will cheerfully abide by the result.
 "JOB GOING.
 "R F. LOVELADY. "J. ED HAIGLER.