The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-07-18
DENIED
 CONSTITUTIONAL
 RIGHT BY SENATE
Vote Puts Bar To Further Legislation For Abolition
 Convict Slavery
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the state of the right of petition and would prevent the legislators from listening to the expressions of the people.
 Senator Teasley's substitute was in line with the appeal of the Bir- mingham Age Herald and Mobile Register, which urged the law makers to submit the convict lease issue to the people in order that the expression of their wishes might guide the legislature. It proposed that any legislation affecting the convict system during the present session should be submitted to the voters for their acceptance or re- jection at the next general election.
 Senator Foster of Tuscaloosa moved to lay the substitute on the table and this motion was carried by vote of 19 to IA.
 How They Voted.
 Those who voted against the sub stitute, which would have given the people the right to express them selves, follow:
 Senators Brooks, Caffey. Carlton, Duncan, Ellis, Foster, Garth, Harlan, Hildreth Howle. Johnson, Jones (ConecUA), Oliver, Pelham, Powell, Randall, Slone, Tunstall. Wad- dell-19.
 Those who favored the submission of the issue to the people follow:
 Senators Adams, Bonner Brewer, Carmichael. Griffith, Horton, Hud- gems, Hutson, Inzer, Jones (Barbour), Martin, McNeil, Overton, Teasely-14
 After Senator Teasley's substitute had been laid upon the table the original resolution expressing the sense" of the legislature that there shall be no legislation on convict lease during the present session was adopted.
 Those who voted for the resolu- tion follow:
 Senators Brooks. Caffey Carlton, Carmichael, Duncan, Ellis, Foster, Garth, Harlan, Hildreth, Hudgens, Jones (Conecuh), Martin. Oliver, Pel- ham, Powell, Randall, Slone, Tunstall, Waddell-20.
 Those who voted against the reso-
 Adams, Bonner, Brewer, Griffith, Horton, fiowle. Hutson, Inzer, John son, Jones (Barbour), McNeil, Over ton, Teasley-13.
 Those who did not answer roll call either on the Teasley substitute or John Craft of Mobile and J. P. Mid dleton of Marion. Franklin and Col bert.
 Guessing At Weights.
 In his address In opposition to the ItSOAubIOh anu III ldNOI OL leS Sld- tion abolishing the convict lease system Senator Brewer created ex- Citement by a statement that he had the word of a member of the house of representative who had made re- cent igations, that convicts are now being worked in one of the coal mines II hours day, that they are being sent into the mines before sun rise and are not permitted to leave until after sunset and that the coal which they mine under specific tasks fixed by the state is not being weighed, the weight being guessed at" by an employe.
 Senator Brewer also charge that lobbyists representing the companies employing conVicts in the Birming- ham district have organized the movement against the abolition of the lease system. 'They take the train which I take in Birmingham to come to the capitol where they spread their slimY trail through legislative halls" said Senator Brower
 Senator Brewer started the fight against the Long resolution when 1t was taken up at 2:40 D. m. He charged that the adoption of the resolution would deny to the people of Alabama a right guaranteed by the constitution and would deprive them of the right of submitting peti- tions to those who were sent to the capitol as their representatives
 This resolution would say to the people that they need not file their petitions because we have already reached a conclusion" said Senator Brewer.
 States Livest Issue.
 He referred to petition urging the abolition of the convict lease system which had been signed by citizens Of 49 counties and declared no issue had ever created so much general interest the convict lease issue.
 Senator Brewer insisted that the presentation of the resolution indi- cated fear on the part of those favoring the present system that public sentiment would bring action during the session.
 He charged that the resolution is an effort to establish gag rule which would prevent legislators and citizens alike from using their own discretion regarding pending Ieglsla- tive issues.
 Senator Brewer read excerpts from the report of the legislative commit tee which investigated the convict lease system in 1915 and charged that some of the short sentences imposed on men are in reality death sentences because the convicts go to their death in the convict worked coal mines. lie referred to mine reports which show that deaths from accidents in con vtct camps are three times as great as those among free miners.
 He said a member of the house had informed him he was In convict mine during the past few days and found convicts were being worked II hours a day and that the coal they dug was not even weighed, an em- ploye merely guessing at the weight
 Senator Brewer declared the tune had come when convicts should be taken from the department of finance and placed in the department of jus flee and charged that bills relating to conyIcts during the present ses- sion of the legislature have been re- ferred to the committee on finance and taxation and not to the commit fee on penitentiary and criminal ad- ministration.
 Lobbyists' "Slimy Trail"
 He charged that lobbyists repre- senting the coal companies now nrofting from the system board the train when l do and come to Mont gomerv where they spread theid slimy trail through the legislative halls"
 Senator Brewer. admitting that ne had prosecuted many persons In Jei ferson county, said never again would he raise his voice in another effort to impose a prison term as long as inc nresent system Is continued.
 "1'm wondering if those who are fa+hering this resolution did not have the thought that exposure might be