The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1924-04-14
BOARD MEMBERS
ARE CHALLENGED
TO OPEN DEBATE
H.C. West filings Political
Gauntlet In Faces OF
Lords And Masters
COURT HOUSE ISSUE
TACTICS CRITICIZED
Aspirant Calls On 'Ins' To
Give One Valid Reason
For Reelection

Charging that the five men nov
serving on the board of revenue have
ignored the voters who elected them
and set themselves up as lords and
masters" Henry G. West, candidate
for the board, has challenged them ID
give zone valid reason why they should
be returned for another term.
81 invite them" he declared, Jointly
or severally. to debate the situation
with me. However, I do not look for
an acceptance. They have no ground
to stand on"
West leveled sharp criticism at the
new court house tactics" of the board
asserting that removal of the court
house to Woodrow Wilson park would
be unfair and unjust to the people
who have purchased property in the
neighborhood Of the present court
house"
These purchasers. he continued,
never contemplated that the revenue
board, "in secret sessions" would at
tempt to move the court house.
Flags "Inferests'
Certain interests" he went on,
would like to buy and sell court
house every day. Shall the people work
everlastingly for the bond holders? /
say it is high time to restore our coun-
ty government into the hands of the
people and get back once more to the
essence of acknowledgement by
the consent of the governed
West declared that the board mem
bers bitterly opposed referendum on
the court house question until primary
time drew near and the people began to
smoke them out"
Even now" he added, "they are
merely are adopting course of politi-
cal expectancy
Continuing, West said
Situations like this are too frequent
in our county government. Officials
are merely the agents of the people,
commissioned to conduct public bust
ness. Entirely too many officials con.
ceive the idea Immediately after their
election that they are lords and mas
tiers. They forget they are public serv-
ants, paid by the people to administer
affairs with equal and exact justice.
Economy Is Need.
with Is billions 81 wealth ana III
tniIli0hs Of tax money, Jefferson cosinfy
should have better and more perma-
nent public improvements. Economy,
honesty and efficiency in public office
can bring this about, and it is my be-
lief that the voters will take decisive
action on May 49,"
Vests attack, according to talk in
political quarters, is the forerunner
OF other challenges that shortly will be
fired at the present board. Twenty
four candidates are in the race and the
fire thus far has been concentrated on
the insiders" Indications are that this
condition will remain unchanged
throughout the campaign.
w. B. Copeland, Thomas e. Huey
and Lacey Edmondson, the present
board members who seek reelection.
have, refused to be perturbed over the
situation.
'"The outsiders who want to get in
are spending much time assailing the
old board" said Copeland, .'but not
enough time in taking four-square po-
sition on the campaign issues.
With only four weeks to 20. activi.
ties In all the political Gamma will 20
into high gear this week, with politi-
cal rallies scheduled in various parts
of the county.
The court house issue thns far has
been the storm center, with tthe ner.
manent roads issue, which Candidate s.
r. Batson injected, taking second
place.
The League Of Women Voters on
Tuesday week will continue its quiz
of candidates on issues in which women
are most interested, and the doctors and
labor leaders will continue their fight
IN behalf of the States" they have
adopted.
The coming month Is certain to wit.
ness some Of the most spirited political
activity Jefferson county has known
in decade.