The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1897-03-24
THE DESPISED POLICE.
A Voice From ChnrlestOn-A Lament.
able State Of Afiairs-Greater Eff
cheney Needed in Police Circles.


Editor. The Press and Banner;
with to commend you highly. or, In Other
words to say that am almost entirely In ac
cord with your editorial OF the llth. SUNNI eC
up, that editorial practically says lhat II the
movement Tor the removal or the metropol
itun police in Charleston springs from de
sire for Local seli-gOvernment, then the metro
poliian police should be removed: II 1t Is 8
scheme OF the blind tigers to be released
from restraint. then the metropolitan police
should be retained.
Speaking from an intimate knowledge o.
the lacts, can assure you that IL Is the liberty
loving people, those In who the spirit o.
true American principles Is strongest, who
are most ANXIOUS Tor the removal Of the
metropolitan police.
The blind tigers are satisfied They could
not fare better. They flourish on every side
There is every reason To believe that they
preler The present order OF things TO thai
which would follow the removal OF the metro
uoliunn police. 1t would be too much for me
io that SAYS Chief Martin does not attempt tC
utorce the diSpensary law. 1t is not toe
much tor me to say that he does not enforce IT,
One of the kings among the beasts said II
me "Chiet Martin Is a gentleman. We do moi
want him removed. Make another man
chief, and the blind tigers will have TO 20 oul
OF the business" The person referred TO-
was somewhat under the influence OF liquor
al the time, but IN Vino est rerttdS.
There are those who say that they believe
that the whoe police force is in the pay ol
certain of the blind tigers. There are others
who say that the metropolitans do not en-
force The law because they wish to make pol.
itical allies OF the element represented by
the blind tigers. There are still others who
believe that the law is being enforced as well
as IL Is possible for it TO be enforced. ! do mol
say which is tue correct view, but what do
know Is that there is absolutely no enforce
mcnt and that liquor Is sold almost openly
IN hundreds PAGES in the city. You may
think my estimate large, but from my obser-
walton in the city would say that liquor
can be had In AT least five hundred places In
Charleston. There are scores of places which
hardly even make II pretense OF doing any.
thing else. Which every one recognizes as
"bnrrooms.' You can order liquor over the
phone, and have IL sent TO you through the
streets in day light. These are facts.
Here is another fact you must not over.
took. Chief Martin was chief four years he
lore the metropolitan police was inflicted on
Charleston. lie was made CHIEF by "re.
form" dmListraiion, and when ''eonser.
vnlive" administration succeeded the "re.
fornl' mayor the full of 1898, and 1T become
evident that ChirI Martin was 10 lose his
place then our most highly despised COVER.
uor john Gary Evans, made Chief Martin
chief OF the metropolitan police "becauSe the
dispersary law WAS not being enforced" 10
Charleston. Certainly IL was not being en-
forced, but II was not being enforced by
CnIef Martin, and 1t has not been enforced
Whether IL could be- better enforced or moi
by another man can be decided only by CIV
Ing another man chance. Chlef Martin
certainly has maue u most lT0ODle lallure.
Again, suppose the metropolitan police
were removed. Does 1t not>stand TO reason
that the Mayor and police officers would be
cum PEELED 10 make all reaS jnable efforts t
Ell force the law To prevent a re-establ.shmenl
OF the metro Joliau system? All sincere
patriots, who regard the metropolitan system
ns most desplcable, and as contrary TO ali
principles OF free government, and as Ut
lerIy repugnant TO every American senti
mcnt, would not only stand by the Mayor and
police force In enforcing the law, but would
use AL of their moral and political power tC
require it, in order that system SO thorough
ly deSpised by them should not be inflicted
upon Us again.
As an American, and as O loyal South
Carolinaian, who loves his State, and wishes
to sec every command OF her law makers re-
spected and enforced, appeal TO you TO her
us. Our condition is humiliating in the eX
treme, and the imposition of this tyrrany or
Charleston Is a disgrace 10 South Carolina.
Simply because Chief Martin Is recognized
as one or the most willy politicians that ha,
ever raised his head in South Carolina, auC
the reform" party consider his retention al
chief of police as necessary to the life of the
party" In Charleston do not aid In the re
tention OF the metropolitan police in Char
lesion.
AS for the petition Of the ministers, Chic
Martin and his friends simply played upon
them. They are as Innocent az babes and al
ignorant in the matter at hand.
AS the man of Macedonia said unto Pau
"Come over and help u.s." SO say unto you
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