The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-07-18

made in Alabama which would in crease the demand of the public for the abandonment of the system" he said.
 Senator Brewer asked why Ala
 bama cannot find a means of solving the problem when every other state
 in the nation has solved 1t. He men
 toned that California works it's con victs without guards on the highways under an honor system whereby one day is cut from sentence for each two days served
 He said eight years have passed since the report on Alabn5ua pri-oG conditions was made. and aIabanla is still Investigating in an effor, "to find 8 way"
 The only way to abolish this sys tenn is to hand the convicts to state officials and they will find a way
 to use them,' he continued
 Recognition must be given sooner
 or later to the rapidly growing sen timent for abolition of the system, sooner it is ended the better Senator Brewer read a list of the state or ganiZations and local clubs which ap-
 pealed for abolition.
 Peoples Right Denied. He insisted that the senate should
 not adopt the resolution because it would seek to deprive the people of
 their constitutional right to be heard by the legislature, would adjudge a
 measure not yet introduced and would be construed as the establish ment of a gag rule" against the
 people who desire to present peti- tions.
 Senator G. Ernest Jones of Barbour,
 who followed Senator Brewer, warned the senate that the adoption
 of the resolution would create a po- | litical issue which would elect a gov ernor. other state officers and legis- | lators three years hence. He insisted
 that the adoption of the resolution | would not end the agitation, but would accentuate 1t.
 Senator Teasley offered his sub
 adoption of the resolution would be
 ''an act of cowardice." and would be
 passing the buck" to legislature | of the future.
 i Senator John w. Overton of Ran dolph opposed the resolution on the | ground that 1t Is not fair to deprive | the people of the right of letting
 their views be known. He said he had not determined how he would
 vote on the convict lease bill, but de-
 sired to give all persons the right to | be heard. ,z4sAs
 Senator Beasley offered his sub stitute for the Long resolution which would provide for the submission of the convict lease issue to the people. In an address supporting his sub stitute, Senator Teasley said he could not see how any members could op- 1 pose any measure intended to give the people the right to express them selves.
 He said the resolution is a farce money by the keeping of convicts in the mines, and that he is opposed
 to the convict lease system for tive reasons: The loss of revenue through continuing 1t; and the inhumanity of 1 it. He insisted that the lease system can be abolished without taking the convicts out of the mines and that
 the state can acquire a coal mine for 1 operation by convicts at a reasonable price and pro Cbably without dollar
 of cash.
 Senator J. M. Foster of Tuscaloosa administration floor leader, opposed the Teasley substitute and insisted that the constitution does not provide
 for referendum. He also contended that the resolution would give coal companies a way of disposing of the
 mines to the state.
 Gives Kilby Cherdit.
 He discussed the history of convict leasing during the last administra- tion, gave Governor Kilby credit for attempting to end the system and | cOntended that time Is still needed in solving the problem. He said the state is now losing money daily On
 it's contract for shirt manufacturing at Kilby prison.
 Senator Melvin Hutson of Morgan declared he would not bind himself
 to abide by the resolution and would introduce and favor bills at any time he saw fit. He expressed the opinion that friends Cf Brandon had made a mistake In offering the resolu
 tion.
 He said the resolution isa farce and one which could destroy the Brandon administration. He expressed the opinion that some wise political guy" had made one serious mistake. and that some enemy may have started the agita- tion with a view of breaking up the administration
 Senator Hutson moved to lay the substitute and the resolution on the table, but Lieutenant Governor Mcdowell held that the rules did not permit a double motion.
 Senator Foster then moved to table
 the Teasley substitute and it was tabled. The senate then adopted the Long resolution as it came from the he use.