The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-03-24
Jefferson County Legisla tive Delegation Will Be Pledged to Effort to
 Abolish System QUESTION IS THE
 REAL ISSUE IN
 THIS CAMPAIGN Judge, Shapiro. Brewer. Snyder, Hogan, Drennen and Bodeker, All Candidates, Express Them selves as Opposed to the System

" conv1ctS out of the mines.
 This year public sentiment in Birning- ham and Jefferson county will elect a legislative delegation pledged to exert itself in an honest effort to secure the abolition of the convict lease system as il concerns the felons of the state.
 Prohibition, railroad regulation. corpor- alton control-all staid issues on which candidates have secured office-will yield place to the real issue-the abolition oi the lease system Every legislative can didate from this county will be required to give his position in regard to this issue
 There is no question but that in the next regular session of the legislature the convict question will be one of the most important questions. Sentiment in Jefferson county is ripe Practically every man talked with by reporters yesterday was outspoken in his opposition to the lease system.
 Some of the statements secured follow:
 Thomas J. Judge
 Thomas J. Judge, candidate for the senate: 'I desire 1t understood right now that l am opposed to the lease system. The only argument in favor of the sys- tenn is the most sordid argument-that of dollars and cents. We cannot afford to grind human beings beneath the earth and thus put tariff on crime It is de- eidedly dollar diplomacy which constitutes opposition to working convicts on the roads. Public highways of merit are to be desired by the people of a state more than any other one blessing with the ex- ception of health and schools"
 Isadore Shapiro
 'I am for the reformation of the entire prison and convict system" said Isadore Shapiro. Take the convic,s out of the mines, work them on the farms and the public roads. Set aside portion of their earnings for their dependents and have a probation system for adult first offenders. Convicts in the mines compete with legiti- mate labor and the system should be abol- ished''
 Walter s. Brewer
 .'fhe plank in my platform in which am most in earnest about is one which calls for drastic changes in the convict system of the state of Alabama" said Walter $. Brower 'I believe all county and state convicts should be worked or the public roads of the state. Their labor should be used to open mp highways which would be of direct benefit to the farmers, instead of the present system, which is for the enrichment of the mine owners. Leasing convicts is reactionary method of handling the prison system and l strongly favor it's abolshment. Let us have good roads, increased farm valu- ations and modern and humanitarian system of penal servitude."
 Roger w. Snyder
 T believed all county and state con victs should be removed from the mines and the turpentine camps" said Roger W. Snyder. They should be worked on the public roads where their labor would be of benefits to the entire state. If elected to the legislature l will work and vote for any bill which will abolish the convict lease system and take them out of the mines.
 Dr. E. P. Hogan
 Tn my announcement I stated that I was the candidate of no faction, and was naking no pre-election promises there fore 1t would be inconsistent at this time to make any promises on the sys- tenn of leasing convicts in the mines. '' said Dr. E. P. Hogan. However I will state that whenever conviets have been
 
 results have been attained
 w. M. Drennen
 Ycs, I favor working county and state convicts on the public roads, said w M. Drennen. This is fully set out in my state senate from Jefferson county. which appears in The Age-Herald I have always been against the convict lease system because it competes with fl ee labor''
 George H. BOdeker
 For years I have ardently endeav- ored to persuade all my friends to the realization of the evils of the convict lease system,' said George H. Bodeker. Whenever l had the opportunity I urged in speeches and in interviews the abo- ishment of the convict lease system and tho placing all adult county and state convicts on the public roads. Placing the convicts on the public highways is something of material benefit to the citizens of the entire state Better roads means closer intimacy between the termer and the people of the city. Bet ter roads also means large increases fin farm valuation and greater wealth for the state. And again, working convicts on the public roads where they are in the open air and in practical freedom Is humanitarian way of treating pris- oners. Placing them in the mines whers they compete with free labor is a primi- tive system, and should be. abolished. II will be by the progressive voter of this county.'
 Robert A. Brown
 ''I am convinced that convicts on the roads are the most economical and most practical proposition" said Robert A. Brown. They have demonstrated in my own state of South Carolina unusual efficiency. and effect 6 considerable say- ing, I am informed. I believe in Jef- ferson county where the roads. while not the worst I have seen, are below a great many states. The convicts would he able to effect wonderful change. I hope that the members of the Jefferson ce unty delegation to the next ,legfsla- ture will endeavor to have state and county convicts worked on the roads. It will prove of vast benefit and will help this state progress
 "I believe for the correction of crime that convicts on the roads would be of unusual benefit. I believe in fixing the stripes so big that they can be seen two blocks away. am of the opinion that convict forced tU work the road of his neishbor would be made a greater respect of the law than by shutting hin, ur in mine or penitentiary of any sort
 'Another thing. the convicts should be given the air and the sunshine that God himself created for men. To deprive them of such sunshine and fresh air which are two of the great health givers is to take away something that right fully belongs to every man, even though felon.''
 Dr. Walter Scott
 T have been waiting to rec if any pub