The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-06-07
Not Unlikely That the Next Legislature Will Call Con- venti0n to Write New
 Organic Law
PROVISIONS OF THE
 1901 DOCUMENT ARE
 PROVING A BURDEN
Acknowledgment Now Made That Chief Object of That Convention Was EliminationA of the
 Negro From Politics
 of Alabama
n, HUGH w. ROBERTS

The fact is generally recognized that II Alabama through it's cities and counties is to grow there must either be several amendments to the constitution adopted or an entirely new constitution adopted. It is considered highly probable that the legislature in it's next regular session vii, call constitutional convention. new constitution is needed beyond all question: so badly needed that the people could well afford to tolerate a long ses- sion of constitution carpenters, to De loi- lowed by an election in which consloer- able difference of opinion would of neces- sity prevail.
 At the present time cities, counties and state are handicapped py constitutional inhibitons For instance the people would demolish the convict lease sys- tenn and by putting the eonvicts to labor on the roads, build magnificent highways from one end of the commonwealth to the other. But the constitution prohibits the state from engaging in internal inn proyement At the present time Birming- ham-and many other Alabama cities would increase its tax rates in order that \ it might secure sufficient capital on which to successfully operate. But the consu. tuti5n prohibits. Section 80 of article reads: "The legislature shall not have <(power to authorize any municipal cor poration to pass any laws inconsistent with the general laws of the state"
 The most urgent need In Alabama at the present time Is some arrangement whereby representative men will be will ing to make the financial sacrifices which service in the legislature entails
 The constitutional convention wilks~em- edy this evil. Various schemes Have been suggested Some have argnsd that the body should be made more. axol,sive and that the remuneration sns,,d be ,,,ora ad- equate. The governoTs of inc state of Alabama has suggested the creation of iesislators from tlnae state at large, body ol men WIZ, will look to the good o .'le s.assz as a whole, body which vii no. pc handicapped by local conditions, .s N. yhe present time the Alabama legis S%f.te is. as a rule, made up Of youni men who believe that public service vii give them certain pre-eminence. of mel who are in need of the wage of s4 pel day, and of men who have an abundanc, of money and desire quadrennial tolli fcation with "the boys" As result enough serious work of a constructive nature is not accomplished. The legisla- tors look out first for the interest of theii respective counties. and as a result, the state is sometimes made seriously to suffer.
 There are great many other matters which require the attention of consti tutional convention. The educational sys tenn of the state needJ immediate treat ment. There are schools of a certain nature too many, and schools of a cer tain other nature too few. There is dupll cation of study and piling up of burdensome, unnecessary expense.
 The same criticism can be made of tn of wi | Alabama has steadily increa sed withou or quality of labor accomplished. Tn necessity confronting the state each yea of paving it's judges and solicitors An justices and special attorneys hangs lik millstone about the neck of the bod, corporate.
 should be local taxation fo
 }. There should be an abandon
 bf the heartless convict lease sys
 Cities should have the right to ta, tt elves with the permission of tn nts thereof. There should be al
 ? tax and an inheritance tax Ant nl should be many other blessings fol ate and counties and cities whicl
 bme only as result of new e.a tution. or an innumerable list O rir ms of very doubtful issues.
 e is every reason to believe tha
 gislature will call constitutions
 ntion. Fear of female suffrage an,
 'ition will scarcely prove grea
 h to cause men to hesitate in tn
 of solemn duty. The convention a are all conventions which have befor them the business of revising the organi law of a commonwealth, will be stormy The new instrument will be submitted t, the people. The campaign will be of in tense interest, and, mach feeling will