The age-herald., 1897-11-10
WHISKEY QUESTION
 CAUSED HOT TIME MF. Lesser Said Liquor Has Sold on the
 Sabbath Day. AND THE POLICE KNEW II The Arrest of Saloon EmplOyeS PFeClpl--
 tated the Discussion. WANTED TO KNOW THE AUTHORITY For Chief McDonaId's Action in This Matter He Made Defense-A Resolution
 Preventing Other Arrests
 Was Passed,
AND THE POLICE KNEW IT
WANTED TO KNOW THE AUTHORITY

The charge was made in the meeting of the police commissioners last night that whisky was being sold on Sunday with the knowledge of the police.
 There was a lively time, and the fun was not less enjoyable because 1t was unexpected.
 Emil Lesser precipitated the discus sion bt referring to the arrest of the parties attached to several saloons for cleaning up their respective employers premises on Sunday.
 Those present at the meeting were Chairman A. H. Stevens, Emil Lesser. A 0. Lane and w. C. Garrett. Desk Sergeant John c. Rowlett was the sec rstary. Chief Mcdonald and Cap.. Weir were also present.
 The Sunday Law yioIaters.
 Mr. Lesser brought up the ordinance forbdding the performance of worldly work on the Sabbath and said it was obnoxious.
 ''Se much has been said," declared AIr. Lesser. lon the arrest of the saloon porters last Sunday that Gov. Johnston saw fit to make an investigation. He summoned several witnesses today, among whom are some of the gentlemen present.
 About fifteen years ago this ordi- nance was tried" he continued. but only for few weeks. It worked a hard ship and was allowed to become a dead letter."
 f"The saloon keepers have the sym pathy of every thinking man." he ear nestly remarked. '"rhey must clean their places, and Sunday mornings are the only times lable."
 "Who issued the order for these ar rests?" queried MT. Lesser. "The board did not. Either the chairman ordered them of his own accord or Chief Mo Donald acted on his own responsibility. Chief Mcdonald is not supposed to act on his own responsibility; he must abide by the rules of the commissions.
 Birmingham Not a Church.
 Since I've been a member of this board" MT. Lesser exclaimed, there have been no orders issued for the direc- ton of the police force by the board. All we have done is to meet here and elect officers to vacancies when any oc- cur, distribute funds as rewards, or try the violators."
 "Rirmingham is no Methodist church" ;" he continued, "and the other merchants in the city are as much violafors of the law as the saloonlxeepers. Th4y all clean their premises on Sunday mornings
 \ slam at the Police.
 Tn Birmingham there are places sell ing beer and whisky every SuneDay ito fn'e knoledge of the poMcs department. The  a heavy Sunday businSss IA man goes : iin pays the nickel and gets his beer.
 ''This is allowed to go on, yet by the vigilance of the officers men who pay thousands of dollars for hcense are pre- vented not only from selling on Sum- day, but from cleaning up their places on that day.
 1.-The police are assisting the clubs to coin money, and these clubs are com posed of men who pay nothing into the city'S treasury.
 .iThe order to arrest these porters must have emanaIted from some source. What l want 10 know is who issued that order and by what authority"
 Mr. Stevens Takes Hand.
 AS AIr Lesser resumed his seat the look of astonishment caused by his re- marks did not entirely disappear from the faces of some of those present. MT. S-evsn.s arose and made a short reply. T believe I know my duty." he said, "and understand what it is. At least, l think I understand It. When I am in doubt on a point 1 always consult the other members of the board. es "Chisf Mcdonald repolts to me daily and receives whatever instructions I deem advisable to give him. I have all ways done my duty as I see it.
 Did Not Instruct the Chief.
 q did not instruct the chi.f to make these arrests nor to dig deep into the waste basket to scrape up this old ordl- nance. l was as much surprised as any one when the matter was brought to my . attention yesterday.
 "The chief and l are in direct ccFn- munication daily. Yet he meyer fnti- mated to me that he intended this ac- ton. Chief NIcD Donald acted solely on his own responsibility. and is directly re- sponsible to the commission for the af- fair"
 Chief Mcdonald Explains.
 'I was not aware, gentlemen" calmly said the chief as he gained po- session of