The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1922-09-08

the money of the state is used in sup
port of schools, including the higher
institutions of learning, they will not
complain, il they believe the system
to be efficient. They will also ap-
prove all appropriations for the deaf,
the blind, the insane and other wards
of the state, but they insist and have
a right to expect that you will de-
mand a system of taxation for all
these legitimate and worthy purposes
that will adjust the burdens of gov
eminent with the utmost equality and
all possible fairness.
Since we last had state eonven-
ton our people nave been divided
upon the great question of the best
method of regulating the evils of in
temperance. That has now been set
tied. and we hope settled forever.
Prohibition is the general law OF the
land, and any attempt to weaken the
effect or change the laws that have
been made for the enforcement there
of should be looked upon with dis
favor and as useless agitation.
judicial offices
Our party is supreme in Alabama;
we are responsible, for its govern
ment, we are responsible for all of
its officers, and as consequence
we feel the responsibility and must
meet the obligation of giving to the
people such a system of selection of
officers as will best meet the needs
of the situation and result in the
election of the highest type of eff
eient men. 1t is desirable, In SO far
as the same can be made possible
under existing conditions, that our
judges should be free from even the
suspicion of political ENHANCEMENT
and partisan bias. If a method can
be worked out by which the judges
of the supreme court shall no longer
be compelled to make canvas for
votes amongst the people, 1t will be
admitted by all that such a scheme
should be adopted.
Candidates for administrative off
ces are naturally expected to be
elected in accordance with the pref
erences of the people for what they
announce as their Individual platform
iof policies. Candidates for judicial
office can have no such platform.
The only possible legitimate claim
he can have for election is what his
friends may think of his learning, at
tainments and his integrity. A gem
eral statewide primary is admittedly
not good way in which to select
them. 1t is for this convention to say
whether under existing conditions a
better method can be devised.
Since we last had a state conyen-
ton the legislature, with a bona fide
purpose of purifying primary elec-
tons, have enacted many laws reg
ulating the conduct of such elections
and suppressing, insofar as the law
can suppress, the evils that natur-
ally grow out of corruption and NAL
practice. In the main, these laws are
good, but some features of them
have proved a failure. In an attenre~
to provide a method by which no
democrat would be deprived of his.
vote on account of his unavoidable
absence from home on election day.
law was passed providing for a.
method by which absentee voters
could vote by mail.
Majority Vote
All the good that could possibly
come out of this system is more over
balanced as is shown by the practical
operation thereof. by taking adyan-
tage and the fraudulent use of the
system. No doubt in your defiber-
atoms you will recommend its repeaI
For several years we have had the
experiment of permitting the voter
TO express his second choice. This
was thought to be good provision
in the interest of economy and
s--S eftS eiouplc u d uouple prl-
mary Its results have accomplished
no good purpose. However, much
trouble it may be, and even at some
increased cost, provisions should be
made that every one before occupy-
ing an important office should re.
ceive the vote of majority. Other
wise we will have and continue to
nave people In office, selected there
to by mere plurality. supplemented
IN some instances by a few second
choice votes. No doubt this conyen-
ton will give due, consideration to
this important matter.