The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-05-01

to the club members, stating that 1t
was one of the states chief sources
of revenue. The state accepts the
highest bids offered for convict labor
by corporations. firms or individuals
The prisoners are then placed in the
mines or other places and are
worked under wardens not officers
of the state, but employees of the
company to whom the prisoners are
leased. The present penal system
makes prisoners worse when they
return from prison than they were
when tEey entered. I'VE must work
out a system to care for our pris
oners. Organize a good and practi-
cal way and the state legislators will
see to it that the man who violates
the law will be kept under the ex-
elusive power of the state, and its
officers will be made responsible to
public opinion so that we may not
fall into disgrace lin the eyes of the
clusion the speaker said, THE Axis
club was properly named and might
be the axis by which the wheel of
government would be turned round
and Justice be done"
Urge Legislative Committee.
Resolutions urging that legisla-
tive comNtee of five be appointed to
cooperate with other organizations
in the effort to destroy the convict
lease system in Alabama, was intro
duced by Mrs. Lloyd w. Josselyn, and
was unanimously Endorsed by the
club. The resolutions cited in part
that the convict lease system in Ala
bama was a relic of barbarism,
species of human slavery, and
crime against humanity. 1t was
further urged that all Alabamian5
who sincerely believed in justice and
humanity should join in an effort to
secure the passage by the legislature
when it reconvenes in July, an act
totally and promptly destroying the
lease system, and make 1t unlawful
for human beings to be sold or leased
by or to any person. firm or corpo-
ration in Alabama.
Mrs. Angus Taylor, president of
the club. then appointed Mrs. Lloyd
w. Josselyn, Mrs. J. A. Bowron, Mrs.
Morris Newfield. Mrs. NJ z. More
land and Mrs. Louis Mackenzie as
legislative committee to represent the
Axis club in this matter.
Mrs. Scion Jacobs, second vice
president of the National League of
Women Voters, extended an invita-
ton to the club to send a committee
to the meeting of representatives
from women's organizations and CIV
ic clubs, which will be held in Mont
gomery and go before the state legis-
lature in a determined fight to wipe
out the convict lease system. Inc
legislative committee appointed by
the president was instructed to rep
resent the Axis club and cooperate
with the League Of Women Voters In
this work.
The annual report of Mrs. Angus
Taylor, president, was read from the
chair. A brief outline of the ac-
complishments of the club during the
past year was given and showed that
the organization had done splendid
work for the betterment of condl-
tons in Birmingham from social
moral and cultural standpoint.
The president then made the fol
lowing recommendations that the IN
coming president be provided with
raid secretary, necessitated by the
growth of the club that each de-
uartment be given puuget' ina.
baby week be repeated, and that the
club hasten the work OF buliolng an
auditorium. A number of other NIL
nor recommendations were maue ny
the president
Reports for the past year were
made by Mrs. w. ]. Wheeler, secre-
tary and Mrs. w. |. Grubb, treasurer
while the annual reports OF the oe-
partmental heads were also MADE.
AS a testimonial of their love anu
admiration for their president, the
hoard of directors presented Mrs.
TAYLOR with a handsome silver pitch-
err. while exquisite spring flowers
we're presented to her by members oil
her staff and of the club.
Mrs. Taylor, the outgoing pres
ident, then called the newly elected
officers to the platform and IN d
most attractive manner Introduced
them to the 500 members present.
Included In the guests on this occa-
sion were aanumber of the Jefferson
county members Of the state legls-
lature,