The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-04-20
THE HIDING PLACES OF CRIME.
REV. A. VI. WILLIAMS ARRAIGNs
THE POLICE AUTHORITIES.

A Lax enforcement of the Laws
Largely Responsible for the Ex-
fstenee of Crime in savannah-The
Police Taken 20 Task for Their
Failure TO Report Open Violations
of the Sunday Liquor Law and the
Wfde-Open Gambling ROOms-POI-
titles and the Introduction Of Re-
Iigion Into Politics Responsible.
Too, for Many Iniquities.
The subject Of Rev. A. N. Williams ser
mon at Wesley Monumental church last
night was Hiding Places Of Crime" A
strictly local application was given the
subject. The text was from the 21st chap
ter. 9th verse OF Deuteronomy: so shalt
thou put away the guilt of innocent blood
from among you. when thou shalt do that
which is right IN the sight OF the Lord"
Rev. Mr.. Williams opened his sermon
with some remarks on the organization Of
society and its objects and duties. Law, he
said. is the judgment of society as to what
is best for the interests Of all its members.
Society is under obligations, he said, 10
protect the rights of all its constituents.
Mr.. Williams said that he would not en-
ter into a general or historical discussion
of the subject, as there is so much in the
local surroundings TO which il is appli-
cable. Are the laws Of our country and our
state executed with hdelity by our
S ofsSsg he show 1naui tSsi i he ps9
not in his opinion, and to give evidence
in support OF his position. He had two let
tiers, one of them received in the morning,
he said, which he proposed to read The
first letter was from a woman, and stated
that she had seen the announcement of
his subject, and wished to furnish him
with some evidence for use in his dis
course, as she was one of the victims of the
failure to enforce the laws against Sunday
liquor selling. The writer stated that
there were Two places where liquor was
sold on Sunday and gambling was conduct
ed in the rear, where her husband spent
his earnings. The names OF the proprietOrs
OF these places were given in the letter, Mr..
Williams said, but were omitted by him.
The second letter was from a man who
stated that while walking about the south
ern portion of the city on the previous
Sunday he took his seat near place
where liquor was evidently being sold and
he counted 1E men, mostly negroes, who
entered the place during the short time
that he remained on watch. He could hear
loud talking and cursfng inside and dis
tinctiy heard hVe beer kegs tapped. He
saw policemen at a distance, but none
came near the saloon.
Mr.. Williams discussed the statements
IN these letters as evidence of the failure
ON the part OF the police authorities TO
enforce the law against Sunday liquor sell
Ing. He remarked on the fact that instruc-
tons were regularly given the police on
Saturday nights by the chief acting under
instructions of the mayor and more re-
Gently OF the police commissioners to be
Vigilant in enforcing the law. There are,
no doubt, many officers on the force, he
said, who are willing to do their duty, but
who find no encouragement to do so. "One
OF the sureSt hiding places of crime" said
Mr.. Williams, lis behind the backs of
those who are sworn to execute the law"
Mr.. Williams next paid his attention to
gambling, which, he said, is conducted
with the full knowledge Of the police and
other officers sworn 10 enforce the law.
The gamblers have been fined regularly,
he said, and the fines have gone to in
solvent costs Filming the gamblers, he said.
Is a good way to blind the public and
license gambling. He had been told on
good authority that one gambler who had
been fined $1,000, stated that If he were
given a week he could make the money
TO pay the fine. Not until a fearless Judge
had announced from the bench that no
conviction would be followed by imprls-
onment had any check been given to
gambling, he said.
He criticised >the chief of police for his
action in refusing to have cases against
liquor dealers Investigated at the request
Of the recorder, as showing his sympathy
with the liquor dealers. Mr.. Williams said
that policeman had reported two men
for selling liquor on Sunday with equal
evidence against both. One man had been
put on the docket aud the other had been
left of
Can you expect the law to be enforced
when the chief shows such respect for
yiolatcrs? l wonder If he delivered an adj
dress on How Not to Do It when he was
elected president Of the state association
of chiefs of police
Mr.. Williams said the police con1 mission
ers can enforce the law If they are inclined
10 do so. If they only take a passive
view OF their duty, however, they Will be
worth as much as the clock on the city
exchange in putting down evil" said he.
one OF the greatest reasons why crime
Is Is not punished, he said, is the indifference
OF church members, well-to-do respectable
people. Another great hiding place for
crime, he said, is afforded by the intense
party par spirit prevailing n this city. the re-
PIE INTO factions and placing the welfare of
party above the enforcement of the law
SAID; 1t appeared to him that both were
placing the success of party above the well
Iare or the community. What chance of
success, he asked, would any party have
IN savannah on the following platform:
An honest determination to enforce ali the
moral laws; an honest intention to en-
force the code of Georgia and the princi-
Piles of the state constitution; an honest
desire to advance the interests of the civ
and to consider public office Spublic trust.
man who would endeavor TO Organize a
party in savannah on such a platform
would be considered wild-eyed ideaIist.
he said.
Another device of the devil for the nro-
lection of crime, Mr.. Williams said. is the
introduction of religion into politics. The
SSbuuest uay IN une history of this country
mas come, said he, when religion is fore
ed into politics for partisan purposes. Re
ligious feelings are The deepest and strong
est OF a mans nature, as 1t is right they
should be-" ~
de expressed his contempt for men who
would ride into office on a religious issue
anu sald that Il was infinitely worse than
corruption and bribery at the nolIs 10
bring such an issue into a political sam
paign, he said, was Counting iriolrstv ana
compromising with crime "
Mr.. Williams smoke 1f he
zens who allow their material Interests To
blind them TO the moral interests OF the
community IN winch they lived, and closed
with an appeal to all citizens 10 mite FOR
the welfare of the community, the enforce
ment OF the law and the protection of their
homes. ~ 'i'S'i