The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-07-14
Euiidence
CONVICT LEASING. BILL HITS A SNAG. IN STATE SENATE.
Long Measure To Drop Sub- jeCt Goes Flying Through
 House
tContinued From Page one.)


 of the rules committee. In one min ute after the house had declined to suspend the rules the committee re- turned the resolution tC the house with q favorable report. Fifty-two voted for it's adoption and 22 in op- position. No record vote was taken, the resolution being concurred in by a standing vote of the members.
 Those favoring the abolition of the lease system were anxious to put the members of the house on record on the issue. but in the general confu- sion no genera! demand for a roll call was made.
 Resolution Adopted.
 The resolution which waS intended to stop legislation prohibiting the hiring of convicts follows:
 ''Resolved by the house, the senate concurring. that it is the sense of the legislature that no change in the law relating to the system of working ccnvicts be made at the present ses- sion of the legislature" However, the adoption of the resolution would not prevent the continuation of the fight for the abandonment of the con vct lease system. Ii only expressed the present view of those who are opposed to any change in the system and nc resolution could bind the mem bers of the legislature as to their actions in the future.
 Following the recess of the senate until Tuesday afternoon, Senator Brower let it De known that he will not be bound by any resolution and that he will discuss the convict lease issue when he feels it should be dis cUssed.
 That's just a bluff" said Senator n 20 pn and do nothing with the lease sys- tenn The opinion seems to be that If the resolution is adopted nothing can be done l am here to represent Jefferson county and if, at any time' I want to get up and talk or introduce d bill l am going to do it.
 T am going to talk Tuesday until l have said everything l want to or the chair beckons me down. The res olution seeks to stop all legislation on the lease system. It seems as IT it would be just as easy to say noth- ing should be done with it for four terms of 40 years. It got by the house easily because no record vote was taken.'
 Senator Brewer continued: "The ef- fort to adopt this resolution Is Tn dl- rect violation of the state constitu- ton. The constitution says that Ala bamians have the right to present to their law makers any memorials or petition regarding Legislation. At thls time we find those opposed to the abolition of the convict lease system acting in disregard of the constitu- tion The people of Alabama have a perfect right to be heard by the leg islature and the legislature has no right to Ignore them or to say to them as some now are attempting 10 say that we have already made up our minds and your memorials and
 
 with us
 Fort Urges Hearing.
 About the time the resolution of the house reached the senate Judge William r.. Fort of Birmingham, chairman of the citizens committee which is urging the abolition of the lease system, wired members of the legislature an appeal for the right to be heard on the issue. He requested a postponement of decision until such time as the committee may pre- sent their argument. Judge Forts telegram said: Our committee, rep resenting various organizations or men and women from practically every county in Alabama, respect fully urge hearing from the legls- lature and time to present a petition signed 1y many thousands of citizens aLainst the continuance of the present system tefore definite action is taken on the resolution approving the pres ent plan."
 The resolution will become a spe- cial, paramount and continuing order for the senate at o'clock Tuesday afternoon and will remain unfinished business until defeated or adopted
 w. A. Gibson, legal representative of the Pratt Consolidated Coal com pany, and an avowed opponent of the abolition of the state convict lease system, is given credit for or ganizing the lobby now seeking to prevent the consideration of meas ures which would bring the lease system to an end at a fixed date dur ing the administration of Governor Brandon.
 Gibscn Steady Attendnnt.
 Mir. Gibson came upon the legis- tive scene before the adjourned ses- sion began last Tuesday and has re- mained here since that time. An other representative of coal interests which are employing state conVicts in the mining of coal in the Birming- ham district is J. l.. Davidson, Secre- tary manager of the Alabama Mining institute, which is made up of coal operators.
 The force of the administration has been used squarely in opposition to thu consideration of any bill which would change the system. Cover nor Brandon has informed his friends in the two houses that he does not believe the state government can af- ford the loss of the revenue now coming from the present system. Those who have sought to obtain the views of persons holding offices in the capitol by appointment have not 2 found any appointees who favor the abolition of the system.
 Representative Tunstall, who aided Mr. Long in his effort to put tbroucrh rnSOlnftOp expressing the opposition of the legislature to any abolition bill. was chairman of