The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1919-09-03
GARDNER F. GOODWIN

IaNOr PeltuS county because II Will
subserve the convenience of about TO-
600 people in the southern end of JEFF
fersonN county, and would work no in
justice upon any one. Jefferson county
is top-heavy, its public offices are con-
gested. it's courthouse and Jail are in
sufficient to properly care for the coun-
tvs business. our system of public
roads appears to be too large and ex-
tensive for proper care and mainte-
nance. A new county will greatly re-
lieve these undesirable conditions the
convenience of the people generally to
of more Importance than the glorifica-
tion of a city.
I'VE want Fairfield because 1t has al
ways been in Pettus county. The Bes-
semer courts jurisdiction line was
drawn Where.it is in 1892, long before
Fairfield was built, and then Fair
field wants us. This talk about the new
county interfering with the operation
or extension of the county sewer sys-
tenn is only to frighten the timid and
unthinkfng, as most people know that
city has ample power to condemn and
take over such rights of way as are
| necessary for public purposes, but the
sewer system is also provided for in
the Ross bill
"Pettus county will come eventual
ly, why not now?'
I'VE want local self-government. we
want to select our own officers and not
be governed by Birmingham appoint
ments.4 We are sticking to Fairfield
because they want to be with us in the
new county. We are not so particular
about the lines of the county and
would rather not antagonize Birming-
ham If we could get together. We
really want to be good neighbors to
the big city, if they will let us. What
we want is Self-gOyernment"
1T would be for the good of the en-
tire district 1t would undoubtedly bring
smaller communities in closer touch
with Bessemer. The small county has
been tried out in Georgia, and look at
the change! Georgia is like a different
state. The roads are improved, public
buildings have been built and civic
pride has been promoted. North Caro-
lima is also making divisions of coun-
ties much to the development of the
state
J. B. MORTON
Eve want Pettus county for the same
reason the Americans fought in the
Revolutionary war, taxation without
representation If it were left to the
people affected by the change the vote
would go in favor of Pettus county over
whelmingly. AS for Fairfield, we want
to spare her the fate of Ensley."
Wo Will 1cttuS Tor the Qe-
velopment of the district. We have the
population, area and wealth for a new
county and are a sufficient distance
from Birmng ham to be county seat.
and we think we are entitled to have
it."
1T will help business in every way
in fact, it will be the making of Bes-
semer We have been fighting for it
for 20 years, and when we do get
Pettus county it will be the realiza-
ton of the dream of the best business
men of the district"
Jefferson county is entirely too large
for one set Of officials to manage the
county affairs. There is no doubt but
that the small county is the best way
to develop the state. and l personally
would like to see Alabama have twice
as many counties as it now has. 1t is
essential to the best development OF the
state"
Birmingham boasts that she pays
the greatest portion of the taxes. Why
keep us in Jefferson? As to Fairfield,
she is as anxious for the new county az
Bessemer is. and has repeatedly dem
onstrated the fact. Fairfield legiti-
mately belongs to the Bessemer dis
trict; they pay taxes here. have their
court proceedings here, so why not be
included in Pettus county,"
1T would mean SO much for tht ~