The Birmingham age-herald., 1919-06-29

no better service has ever been rem dered to this state in its entire h.s tory. Entirely impartial, Jealous only for the general welfare and anxious to service, they have performed duty whose lasting benefits will be felt not now only but by children yet unborn"
 CONSTITUTIONAL CHANGES
 That constitutional changes will be necessary if the recommendations of the body of United States governmen; men are carried out is the admission of the state commission. But in the main we concur with their recom- mendations relating to change in our existing statutes. as will be seen by comparison of our recommendations with theirs"
 Methods of taxation which will not work hardship upon the people can be devised with the assistance of the governor. the commission believes. Negro education comes in for brief reference. "In the very important mat tor of negro education, it is of course, best that we should proceed in a way calculated to do justice to this large portion of our population without, at the same time. doing anything that will dis turb the harmonious relations now exist ing between a majority of the members Of both races,' says the statement. Tn most of our counties the white race is overwhelmingly predominant; in others the bleak race is overwhelmingly pre-. dominant. Conditions are thus materially different in the different sections of the statc. At best the question is sensi- tive one. We must do all that honor re- quires. Even more, this matter must be considered from the standpoint of indus- trial efficiency of a very large portion of our citizenship. It is obvious, there. fore, that we must proceed with caution, hot e1n ,nt tn 60 great and so delicate a subject with single stroke of the pen"
 Alabama has made rapid progress from an educational standpoint the past few years, but to make the system better. and to provide nine months schooling each year, money is needed, says the re- port.
 Continues the statement:
 'The conclusions that we have reached and the recommendations that we make deal in the main with matters that can not be contested. and they represent an earnest effort to wisely mes. a great need in the best methods that can be found. In our opinion, the crux of the situation may be stated in two words more revenue. Educationally, we are happy to report that we find that Ala bama has made marked and rapid prog ress in recent years
 "The results of the elections held for local taxation in the several counties of the state, and in the numerous school districts of these counties, since the adoption of the recent constitutional amendment, indicates beyond all per- adventure that the people of Alabama are earnestly in favor not only of great ly improved facilities for the education and training of their children, but also that our people are substantial unit in demanding that in this vital matter their children shall have advantages not bet ter than the worst but equal to the best in this country.
 And yet in this matter our people have not been and are not even now free agents. Under the present constitu- tion, and, In fact, since the constitution of 1875, we have found ourselves moro school support than any state in the union. That we are not at the bottom in the character of our schools is clear proof that the people themselves have demanded the best facilities possible under the circumstances, despite consti- tutional limitations and restrictions. In come cases they have passed laws and voted taxes notwithstanding the fact that the courts have held that they did not have the constitutional power to do so. Likewise, they have voluntarily paid fees that they could not lawfully have been compelled to pay. It has been a long struggle against tremendous odds.
 PROVIDENCE GENEROUS
 Providence has been generous to this state. It has endowed it with a splendid climate; with rich and fertile lands with mineral wealth well nigh incalculable; with navigable streams unsurpassed among the states; with forests that rank eighth among those of the several states