The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1915-01-13

from four elections that the people of
this state are still firmly committed 80 the
essential doctrine of our race-local self
government,
THE state has received since the pas
sage of the Smith and Parks bills annu-
ally the sum of ss5.3l2.s4 from the legal
lied sale of liquor. If this amount of rev
snue is cut off by statewide prohibition
bill the state must default upon some Of
its numerous trusts and obligations I'M
less, to supply the deficiency heavier taxes
than those under which the people now
sroan are imposed. 1t occurs TO me that
1t would beIa most Ill advised action of
the legislature at this particular period to
cut off from this state an annual income
of ss5,Sl2.S4, and substitute heavier tax
alton to replace it.
Education
The state has made commendable
progress during the past four years in
the cause of public edcation. For tie fis-
cal year ending September 30, 1914, the
state paid for the public schools and
higher institutions of learning the total
sum of 1885, $500, and as the total re-
ceipts of the state for that fiscal year
were Sc, CSC, 1927, 1t is evident that over 50
per cent of the entire revenue of the state
was expended in the cause of education
State Prison Inspector
"The office of state prison INSPECTOR
created by the act of April s, 1911, has be-
come one of the most valuable and i'm
portant departments of the state govern
ment.
Prior to the creation of this depart
ment, not only the condition of our jails,
but the treatment of their inmates had
become a reproach to our civilization
There was an utter absence of sanitation,
hygienic conditions or healthfuiness and
cur jails had become prolific breeding
places for disease.
Pensioners
The money appropriated by the state
Tor Confederate pensioners, is d sacred
fund which should be paid only to those
who rendered actual and faithful SER
vices to the state or the Confederacy
during the war between the states Any
payment of this fund to those who de-
serted the Confederacy in it's hour of
need, to those who are not eligible by
law, simply results in lessening the
amount which should be received by
those who were faithful and worthy
Working Convicts on Public Roads
There has been considerable agita-
ton in the state in favor of working
the state convicts on the public roads
This power, however, is denied the state
by the expressed provisions of the pres
ent constitution. Even, however, If this
constitutional inhibition is removed, we
must not forget that the adoption OF
this policy would require an enormout
outlay of money.
"A change so important and far
reaching in the policy of the state
should be wrought ont only after care
full investigation. study and considera-
ton of every phase and aspect of the
subject.
Fee System
AT the general election in 1912 ar
amendment to the constitution was
adopted authorizing you to fix, regulate
and alter the fees, commissions or sal
aries charged or received by the Of
ficers of jefferson county. The evils re-
sulting from the fee system have al
ready been fully discussed in this mes
sage. 1t is we'll known that the salaries
now received by the officials in JeSer-
son county. owing to the fee system
are excessive and there :, an urgcn
demand from the people o that county
that the present fee system be abolished
and adequate salaries ne fixed by law
II urge your careful consideration q
this question.
Conclusion
MY failure to mention 9spe, ally
the recommendations contained tn;
reports of the various departments doe:
not mean that they nave not received
my approval They will all be sub
mitted for your careful consideration
My message has been lengthy but thu
is due to the fact that by the provisions
of the constitution | can submit to yoi
only once in four years the condition
of the state and such recommended ion'
as may be expedient. I will shortly re-