The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-03-26
THE RELIC OF A LESS
 ENLIGHTENED AGE
Some Have Warned Go Slowly" and Others Fear for State Finances, But All Agree in Con-
 demning System

in his opinion, the lease system should be continued. Some have declared that it should be gradually abolished. Others have professed to be doubtful that the state could continue to make both ends meet without the financial returns from Its convict system Others have warned -"Go slowly
 The great bulk of people. however, have not only declared the system to be relic of other and less enlightened ages, but have urged forward those who are leading In the movement to secure ths abolition of the system. The great ma jority of people are hopeful that the state will abolish the system as soon as 1t can be abolished.
 Others who expressed themselves on the subject yesterday follow:
 N. w. Scott
 N. w. Scott of Ensley. candidate for the legislatures The convict lease sys- tenn is bad. am in favor of abolshing that system-gradually. We should not cut off the revenue from the second greatest revenue department all at once. The shock would be too great for the sNdtt SoNti tO NltiiSbdDu. iloWtN1it l feel sure that in time, the system can be abolished, and the convicts put on the roads, without financial distress to the state. From a humanitarian stand point, everybody. practically, is opposed to the system.''
 H. U. Sims
 Henry Epson Sims, candidate for the Ia -t,bi should have careful study because it is an economic question. I have so far not studied sufficiently to have an opn- ion worth very much to the public. My instinct like that of everyone else is to have the convicts on the roads rather than hired out. But, I find from all over the United States the cost to the counties of working convicts on the roads rather ways varies so greatly-being 60 cents per man in some states to Sl50 in others that we ought to know what we are doing before we turn out all of our col- victs the roads,
 Dr. Felix l. Tarrant
 Dr. Felix l. Tarrant, candidate for the legislature said: T am against the sys- tenn of leasing convicts and keeping them in the mines. However we must study the subject carefully before turning out all the convicts on the public roads. But if it can be arranged satisfactory to everyone concerned, why l am most heartily in favor of working convcts on the roads"
 D. R. Copeland
 D. R. Copeland, candidate for the leg islature, said: If it can be shown that turning out all the convicts on the roads will not prove too costly to the state, why l am in favor of the experiment. I am against the lease system and will re- gard with favor any measure that will look to its abolishment."
 James Walker
 James Walker candidate for the legis- lature, said: 'The board of revenue of Jefferson county will be called forward by the next legislature to explain it's ex- pertinent with convicts on the roads. If it is shown to the legislature that the experiment has been a success, l am sure that the legislature will vote for it's con- tinuance. If the experiment has not been a success then some other method will have to be devised to handle the con victs. l am, however, very much against the present convict lease system"
 w. E. Haskins
 w. E. Haskins, candidate for the legiss
 
 of placing the county and state conviots on the roads. To my way of thinking there is no economic question so impor- tant to the average man as better roads Men versed in scientific deductions are able to convince one that the question of better roads is the greatest and most important problem that we have to face. I quite agree with them. I cannot tell of anything that is of more vital interest to na irdi thou the question of better roads.
 T am convinced that the tests that have been made by the board of reveue of this county are of such lasting charac- ter and of such thoroughness as to need no further argument in that connection. President Lovelady has said that the trials of this county have exceeded the most sanguine expectations of the board. If that is correct. as I am sure 1t is, then the legislature which is to convene should certainly go into this matter care fully and place the men that have snned against society on the roads and thereby contribute to the general welfare of so- ciety and the progress of this county"
 John L. Parker
 John l.. Parker said: T have been one of the most consistent advocates of the plan of putting convicts on the roads. 1 believe it is the best way to solve a very hard question, as we are due the convicts the duty of providing them with the proper environment and this is denied under certain lease contracts. I believe In better roads and this has not been ac- complished in the past. If the men who are against convict labor on the basis that free labor is cheaper why is it that they have not provided free labor here tofore and thus given Us a good road system cannot understand I believe the trials made in this county have been long enough and satisfactory enough .o prove that convict labor is the best and that it should be employed"
 Lee Whitehead
 Lee Whitehead said: T remember that at a good roads convention there was ;i unanimous sentiment for convicts on the roads, and I do not think that law makers of this state would err if they placed the offenders against society on the highways. It would cost less, l be- lieve, and would give us good roads. h the event 1t cost more we would get good roads, a proposition that has been denied the users of roads for some tinl,,. I certainly hope that every man offering for the legislature will pledge himself to this movement and that we will ne able to see this great work accom- plished under the administration of the county officials"
 Dr. George Eaves /
 Dr. George Eaves said: T most cer- l-T-