The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-04-22
PEOPLES FORUM


sisters. let me implore you 1t is
time we arose in arms and did
all within our power to prevent
the present Legislature from per-
hitting the leasing Of convicts to
any one or for any purpose what
soever: thereby avoiding n re-
currence of the horrible atrocities
brought to light in the brutal
death meted out to the ls-year-
old youth. Martin Tabert. Who
was the great offender, the big
brutal guard. or the youth whose
spirit of adventure filled him
with a desire to see his country
and led him to commit an offense
no more serious than a hidden
ride on a freight train? Result
Ing in an arrest, a conviction, a
fine which he could not pay. a
sentence to Imprisonment to per
form a task beyond his weakened
condition. He was surely tor
tured to death by four-inch
strap-10 blows at time, his
face buried in the sand until his
nose was broken, beneath the heel
of brute.
Think, people, as you saunter
along the streets. or ride the cars,
breathing in Gods glorious sun
shine and fresh air, or loll In the
comforts of your magnificent
limousine, that such heinous
deeds are being committed and
YOU not once raising your voice
in protest against it. Where are
our missionaries; can't we spare
a few from China and Africa
while we remove some of the
notes from our own eyes? Why
not send a few of them to these
places of torture and appoint
them guards whereby their holy
influence may prevent such bru-
talities and lessen the crop Of
hardened criminals. Could you
or ] serve prison term for a
vive such inhuman treatment.
and come forth with love and
respect for law and order? 1t
would be a herculean task.
Alabama could direct the Ia
bors Of her prisoners into various
profitable channels. manufactur-
ing, agriculture. dairying. etc.
Other states are doing so and
adding wealth to their treasures
besides doing a humanitarian act
,,ndarstp 20 iSo 80 30 ,a aiis
III 'he ih'lies anu turPeiitine
where FREQ 1.bor will ,ot rysL
such nerils
People. won't You please write
Just rev 1nes TO the represen-
td.INe or senator from your coun-
~ OF district asking that he
ndNe I'd" enacted preventing
,ne leasing OF conNlcts! III TINS
IS not zone "lthln rev short
uass, ms same horrible condl-
sloh VIII remain In ERECT again
loi me next -FOUR years. Please
40 your nit-"rlte today-not to-
morrow OF get up a petltion--t
am sale oHiy the most ne I 1ss
:. rel Use 20 sign no set
~ peLure me lesls'ature at Mont
: : oIheI! Which conVenes in June.
SET aside a day If you wish. call
ne aiiti-coiiNict leasing day
spreaa me news OF It, turn the
dark deeds and weak points in
our government and they must
VANISH as mold exposed to the
peneficent rays of sunshine.
MRS. ROY MANN COOPER.
Birmingham, Ala. April 13, 1923.
Harhcn As Profit
To the Editor of The ge-Herald:
| have just read your editorial
in Fridays paper in which YOU
designate Macmillan Harden as
the German prophet. Your ar
ticle SO we'll represents my views
about Mr.. IIardens ability that
| thought this good time to
write and say what | have for
some time thought of doing That
is why Mr.. Harden's services
could not be given to your read
ers weekly as formerly.
When his articles were onnear