The age-herald., 1899-06-08
Judge F0aSin Sentenced Him fT Con-
 tempt of Court. SEQUEL TOF0RMER TROUBLE When Captain Weir Refused to Arrest
 His Superior Officer. SEVERAL COMMENDATI0N LETTERS Were Received by the Chief Yesterday and Many Callers Came-He
 Will Apologize to Court
 This Morning.
SEQUEL TOF0RMER TROUBLE
SEVERAL COMMENDATION LETTERS

Chief of Police Connie w. Austin is a prisoner in the city jail under a five days sentence for contempt of the inferior court, imposed by Judge Feagin
 The looked-for storm followed the calm of the previous day, and at the opening of the inferior court yesterday morning the greatest sensation in the history of the Birmingham police department was en- acted.
 AboHt S15 o'clock Judge Feagin slowly walked across the court room and took his seat as calmly as if nothing out of the or dinary was about to occur. As the time, S:30, was announced. the judge quietly re- quested all of the policemen to stand out side of the railing which surrounds an en- closure for the use of attorneys and of- fioers of the court. This was somewhat of a departure from the usual procedure and the officers then got an inkling of what was coming. All of the policemen immediately lined up outside of the railing, and Chief Austin, who had just come in, joined them. The judge then read them the act covering the authority of the inferior court, and dwelt particular on the section relating to
 
 the acts authorizes the presiding judge to impose a fine of not more than $50 and con- finement in the prison for not more than five days. Having finished his reading of the law, Judge Feagn looked up from the book in his hand and requested all the men who were willing to obey the dictates and orders of the court to step inside the rail ing. Not an officer faltered. To a man they walked inside the enclosure and faced the judge.
 Sentences the Chief
 Chief Austin was among the first to en- ter. Judge Feagin then stated that as pun ishment for his contempt on Monday after noon he would sentence Chief of Police Austin to five days imprisonment in the city jail. Officers Langston and Bodeker were ordered to make the arrest. Officer Langston reached the chief first and plac- ing his hand on MT. Austin's shoulder said "Chief, I will have to arrest you by order of the court. I will have to do my duty. l Leave your weapons on the outside" The chief had, however, slightly preceded him and drew his pistol from his pocket and laid it on the judges desk and quietly sub mitted to arrest.
 He was carried into the prison through the door leading from the court room, but was afterwards permitted to come outside of the jail proper and take a seat in the wardens office. Warden Gourley was then ordered to the court room. Judge Feagin read him the law governing con- tempt proceedings and told him that if the chief was allowed to leave the jail he would also be punished for contempt and Cor to
 The case against Chief Austin is No 3i26, l and the following is the text of the decis- I ion: 1.-The court is of the opinion that the defendant is guilty and a fine of ten dollars is imposed and for non-payment of fine he is ordered conined in the city jail for five days for said contempt. Just below the decision the words 'allowed no bail' were written.
 Visitors to the Station
 The story of the sensational drama en- acted as a curtain raiser to police court soon reached the streets and the news spread like Wildfire. On every street cor ner groups of men were discussing the in- cident Some took the side of the chief. and upheld him for his pluckiness, while others leaned towards the court. Within an hour visitors began pouring in the po- lice station and the chief was kept busy all day shaking hands with his many friends. Those who could not come sent letters. Many of these were kept by the chief They all upheld the chief in his action and the text of two Of them is as follows:
 Bessemer, Ala, June 6. Chief AuStin:-Please accept my appre- citation of your manly stand Stand up to them. Right always wins. You are right l Don't weaken. While I have never had the pleasure to meet you I admire your manly stand, hence this acknowledge ! ,ment Yours truly, (Signed) JEFF CLAY. I
 Birmingham, Ala, June 6. l O. w. Austin, City Dear .Sir:-Your action yesterday even il ing is commended by the best people of l Birmingham. Davis by his own confession H was guilty of violating the Sunday law, I yet he was discharged while others have Il been heavily fined on less evidence.
 It is useless for you to spend your time l arresting these violators of the law when I they are discharged. in the face of such I evidence As an officer of the law sworn to do your duty, yet handicapped in this more impeachment proceedings becomes eminently proper, and your course will be endorsed and sustained by the best citizens of Birmingham. (Signed) IAN OBSERVER" fV11.. ,i1P ole ctot