The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-09-29
WHY MUDDY THE WATERS? {?

Nothing could have more accurately measured the administration miscon- ception of the convict leasing ques- tion than the legislative effort to place the major stress and emphasis upon the manner of punishment. AL though it is believed that the flog- gings at Banner mine were unneces- sarily severe and given without due regard for the laws defining the major prison infractions as subjects for regular trial and conviction, yec they are chiefly important as calli E renewed public attention to the con vict leasing evil itself. The people of Alabama know that these convicts were whipped to compel their serv- ice to private corporation for its private profit, on pretext that the state might enjoy the blood money thus de- rived. The people of Alabama have vainly protested against being placed in the position of being forced to ac- cept public revenuies from this source, especially as such revenues are employed as a cloak to cover up the administrative deficiencies with respect to tax collections and equali- zation.
 Alabama is the only state in the Union that leases convicts on the base less pretext that the state needs the revenue-Alabama, the state that ranks among the very lowest in tax rate and per capita taxes! The people of Alabama resent the false position in which they have been placed by Governor Brandon and his acquiesceft legislature.
 The people demand that Governor Brandon cease his obstruction of the efforts of justice to investigate the Banner mine situation and all other convict camp situations where such in- vestigation is deemed by the courts as necessary to the carrying out of the law. Whom is the governor try ing to protect, that he should resist the processes established by law for the discovery of the very facts he seeks to conceal? The people of Ala bama demand that he cooperate in this inquiry as his public duty com mands him to do, if he would regain in any degree the lost confidence of the voters who elected him to office by such a cordial and trusting ma jority.
 It is time that Alabama swung again into the course she was following when Governor Brandon took over the executive functions of this state. It is time that Alabama resume her ee- forts to establish 8 modern, humars and intelligent penal system. This system has made progress in every stration-except the adminis- tration of William W. Brandon. He not only called halt upon this prog ress along civilized lines, but actually forced this commonwealth into re- luctant backward steps. There is rG argument in defense of his policy, no matter how much the issue may D. beclouded by those who seek to pro- tect him, or who seek his protection against exposure of convict conditions as they exist when men are sold into licensed slavery.
 It Is no maudlin sentiment that counsels such course, but the united and concerted voice of civilization. The people of Alabama hear that voice and earnestly desire to follow it. Why should Governor Brandon and those whom the system privately profits per sist in thwarting the evident and uu- mistakable public will, and seek to make the leasing system appear other than the reprehensible and indefensi- ble thing it is7