Birmingham age-herald., 1894-07-04
LAW AND ORDER. Representative Citizens Meet to Discuss Lawlessness.
STRONG FEELING PREVAILS
A Committee Appointed and Another Meeting Called for
 Saturday Afternoon.

Despite the efforts of the evening paper to prevent meeting of citizens to discuss what they might do or ought to do to help in stopping the reign of lawlessness in Jeff terson county, a large body of representa- tive citizens, over 150 in inter, met at Erswell's s hall last night.
 Captain Martin was elected chairman and MT. Frank Smith secretary. The purpose of the meeting, as understood by those at whose suggestion it was called, was stated by MT. F. V. Evans, of THE AGE HERALD. It was time the good and law abiding citi- zens of Birmin gham were meeting and counseling together, and determi ne whether they are lacking in any portion of their duty in helping to suppress criminals. and to concert measures by which tbe whole force of public sentiment and public eff ,rt may be brought to bear against the outbreak of bridge burning aud att tempted murder now terrorizng the county. It was strictly non-political, and he WAS glad to see present men of all parties.
 Col. A. K. Shepard made some appro- priate remarks on the daties of citizens in times like these and moved that when the meeting adjourn it mees at some other time after more extended notice.
 Colonel Hawkins followed with a strong speech, and moved as an amendment the appointment of committee to formulate plan of action for bringing public senti. ment together on remedss for present and deplorable evils.
 Captain Stanley spoks next, and spoke in a telling way of the imperative necessity of the courts standing between the people and uiderers who roam at large.
 Captain Frank White followed and de- scribed in strong terms the deplorable con- dition of affairs, with the criminal element turned loose on the community to destroy h,,f,1 la hoA no fault to find with the courts, but said the remedy must come from the great body of the people who make the jurors, the witnesses and public opinion. He said he sympathiZed from his heart with the strikers, and if they stood any chance he would say, "Go on and win " But 1t was evident to every man they had losG the ii ght. No man would say the strikers were di- rectly responsible for arson and attempted murders now afiiict- know that the strike is indirectly respon sible and is now the cause of all this law lessness. The men had no right to subject this community to such conditions by merely stubbornly fighting after all hope was gone. And he said this as man who was on their sue from the beg inning.
 Dr. Beard was called on and made some remarks. [
 The meeting then adopted the following resolutions:
 Resolved, That it is the sense of this meeting that we favor a full, exact and rigid enforcement of the laws of our state and pledge our support to uphold the same: We depIore the widespread and general violation of law in Jefferson county, and for the purpose of procuring more full consideration of this subject by the many classes of our citizens who, from want of notice, are absent tonight, we call for meeting of citizens of Jefferson county to be had in this hall on Thursday afternoon at o clock to formulate practical methods and plans of action; also that the chair ap- point committee of seven to report to that meeting.
 The chair appointed the following com mittee: A. K. Shepard, chairman; Frank Evans, Frank s. White, Capt. A. L. Stan ley, w. s. Brown, Oliver Chaifoux, M. V. Joseph.
 The meeting then adjourned to meet Thursday afternoon at o'clock at Frs wells hall.
 The committee above appointed will meet at the office of the United States district at torney at II o'clock Thursday, tomorrow morning.