The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1913-04-15
Wants Unbiased Commits
sion Named to Go Into
the Whole Matter
NAMES OTHERS WHO
SHOULD BE CALLED
Intimates That There Are Other De-
partments of State Administra-
ton Which Need Attention.
Reiterates Farce Charges

Tom L. Long last night gave out an
other statement adding one more chap
ter to the controversy between himself
and Governor O'Neal regarding the con-
Wet probe. At the time Mr.. Long made
his statement he had not read the one
by Governor O'Neal, which was wired
from Montgomery last night and ap
pears elsewhere in today's Age Herald.
Mr.. Longs statement is as follows:
Il see Governor O'Neal is credited
Under date April Ia as follows: Gov
ernor O'Neal announced today that ne
would issue reply at once to Tom
Longs statement I'll take his hide off.
too, said the governor 1t is hard to
conceive why the governor of the great
state of Alabama would use such a
vulgar expression. It is to be regretted
that such is the fact, judging by this
special from Montgomery.
Probably l deserve to have my hide
taken off for ever having supported
the present governor. l realize, too,
that it seems that l have stirred up a
hornets nest for having dared nearly a
year ago to state some truths about
the mismanagement of the convict de-
partment 1t can be likened unto a
man taking sides in family scandal,
the family sometimes turns upon him
for having dared to suggest a remedy.
So in this case. | only wish that all
the people of Alabama could see and
judge for themselves the farce inves-
tigation now taking place In Mont
gomery. Any fair minded man can
see that it is a farce, pure and simple.
Even some of the newspaper re-
porters are not blameless because they
seem to give more prominence to EVIL
dence showing a clean board of health
for the convict department rather than
damaging evidence. They have tried by
several witnesses to discredit my state
ment which was the first evidence.
and the reason for the subsequent dis
covery of the frauds in that depart
ment Why was it that the evidence
which was brought out by me on last
Friday which showed plainly that the
governor of Alabama met in his office,
to-wit, on July 81, 1912, and held
private investigation over my protest
and promptly whitewashed the family
of his own selection, the convict de-
partment of Alabama?
Produced on Written Demand
"This evidence was produced on a
written demand. made by me on last
Friday and the governor stated that
he furnished the sworn evidence in the
case and not copies, although l dis
covered the fact and made 1t public
and asked the reporters present to
publish it to the people of Alabama.
but 1T failed to appear in print as far
as I know. The governor rendered his
verdict of whitewash on what he said
was sworn evidence and the very pa
pers he furnished showed the fact that
only one of the papers had any Sig
nature, to-wit. that of John Gamble.
The other two witnesses. James G.
Oakley and o. II. Waits. showed no
signatures whatsoever written or print
ed and none of the three statements
showed that they had been sworn to
before anybody. This looks like fair
deal, doesn't 1t?
1.-THE people of Alabama have no
confidence in the investigation now 60
ing on at Montgomery and they should
have none The governor is afraid to
call q special session of the legislature
and he doubtless has good grounds Tor
having fear l suggest, therefore, as
a remedy for this obstacle, that he
give power to Hon. Walter d. Seed,
governor, to name three
members OIL I'LL iiiftSti6dei SStAAAe
tee from the membership of the present
house of representatives; the. president
of the senate, Hon. Hugh Morrow 10
name three members of the Alabama
senate: the present speaker of the
house. Judge Almon, to also name three
members from the house of represen-
tatiyes, thus constituting board OF
nine members. This committee to meet
in Birmingham with power to summons
Rirmln cham be-
cause in that event they will be nearer
the center of population and will be
removed from the influence of the adj
ministration as Is SO plainly seen at
Montgomery. Then whenever this conf
mittee renders a full report the peo-
pie of Alabama Will know the facts
and be satisfied with the verdict.
Investigate Other Departments
"Thcn and not until then will one
fourth of the scandal ever be known.
I Suggest further that the governor
empower this committee to investigate
certain rumors about other departments
of the state. think also that some OF
the state examiners qualifications as
examiners should be Investigated. Why
Is it that the convict department has
on more occasions than one since Gov
ernor O'Neal took charge of the affairs
in Alabama been given a clean bill OF
health of their conduct by one or more
present examiners employed by tho
governor? This shows negligence and
ircompetency and certain examiners
that give such reports should be re-
moved for cause. Had they done their
duty or been competent to discharge
the duties of an examiner the state
would have discovered the great frauds
at Speigners, where something like $29.-
OOO was stolen from manufactured
goods to say nothing of the cotton and
even merchandise that has been stolen.
This would have saved the state
many thousands of dollars. would have
prevented the defalcation of Lacy,
" ould have exposed some of the ras-
ca months and months ago and would
have saved me the embarrassment of
being branded by the governor of Ala
bama as falsifier for making certain
statements asking an investigation of
the convict department months ago.
ut would have prevented an assault
on me at the Baltimore convention, be-
cause the rascality started as Is shown
almost Immediately after the present con-
Wet department was organized. Yet all
was well said certain state examiners
Again, certain state examiners reported
that all was well with certain contracts
made by the state convict department.
Very poor watchmen. indeed Yes. in
deed, said Robert Reed. Living under n
republican form of government and being
democrat that has never subscribed to
.be popular doctrine in England and else
where thar has prevailed for centuries
that the king can do no wrong-therefors
|, as an humble subject of the present
king in Alabama humbly request that
even the throne be Investigated. Certain
charges and rumors fill the air about the
,.,.,,a oot,,op- from, the fountain head