The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-04-19

of brutality and oppression of helpless human beings, for the sake of profit and
 gain Shameful are the records of the convict lease system when applied to individuals, is it not more shameful when
 applied to state, which by it's laws deprives man of his liberty, sells him
 of his sale into the state treasury and
 leaves the wife and children of the un-
 fortunate to starve.
 In speaking of this question, Joseph
 Hyde Pratt says: "In considering the con-
 vict question, two general principles must
 be kept in mind. First, that a convict having committed a crime against so- ciety has been during his arrest, trial
 and conviction a large expense to society and therefore he should, as far as pos
 sible,' recompense society for his crime
 and this expense. Second. 1t Is necessary in the treatment of the convict and the
 work he is required to do to keep in mind that 1t is to the best interest of society
 and of the state that the convict should
 be in better condition physically and mor-
 ally at the end of his sentence than when
 he began it, in order to take his place as
 a member of society,"
 Money Making Object
 There has been unfortunately, too much
 tendency to consider the convict as a col
 lateral of the state, out of which just as
 much income should be derived as pos
 sible. regardless of the effects that the methods employed might have on the con-
 vict himself. Public opinion is becom- ing unanimous that the leasing of convicts shall be abolished, and there is a growing
 demand that it shall cease
 When the question comes to be consid-
 cred as to the disposition of the convicts if the lease system Is abolished, the finan-
 cial proposition will have to be consid-
 cred and properly dealt with, but with
 the growing agitation for good roads. with
 the disposition of the state and govern ment to aid in this work. why not take | the working of the convicts on the public roads under careful consideration? What better work can a convict be em- ployed in doing than in the construction of public roads, considering it first from
 the greatest good to the citizens of the
 state? A public road is a public neces- sity and it belongs to all the people of
 the state. Everyone has the right and
 privilege to ride and drive on the public roads. A public road is a blessing to
 every community through which 1t passed Citizens Voted Change
 By popular vote the citizens of Jefferson county said the county convlcts should be taken out of the mines and worked on the county highways. The members of the board of revenue pledged themselves to carry into effect the wishes of the people Despite attempts of anonymous opposers l of the system seeking to prevent the board ! of revenue putting the system into effect | the board of revenue went ahead and 1 provided a plan to work the county con- victs on the roads. With from 300 to 40t convicts yearly to provide for the board ] faced a grave proposition, for it meant a | large outlay for equipment and main l tenance The system has been in effect one year, however. and not one of the ! calamties that were so freely predictC 1 generally by some one financially inter
 ested has developed, and the system is proving success beyond the fondes | hope. Of course, this is the crucial veal l for the system. for the heavy outlay foi | equipment and supplies was cause fol serious consideration, but so far tho | financial condition has been met. and met | in a business way~by the board
 1 What Jefferson county has done shows ! that convicts can be worked successfully | on the public roads, and will doubtless
 prove the lever that will prize away the
 rock of sefshness and personal gain thai
 is at present a barrier to the abolishmeni | of the lease system with it's attendant in. | iquities.
 | Review of the Work
 ! review of the work of the Jefferson | county convicts will convince the most ! skeptical as to the practicability of the
 system. The board of revenue began
 working the eonvicts on the roads or April 1, 1913, taking the misdemeanor con-