The age-herald., 1900-07-14
CITIZENS HOLD
 A MASS MEETING Resolutions Commenting Chief
 of Police Austin Passed. POOL SELLING CONDEMNED Chair Was Authorized to Appoint Com- mittee to Advise With the Chief and Police Commission in Emergent Gases
POOL SELLING CONDEMNED

The mass meeting at Seals hall last night which had been called by number of citizens for the purpose of getting an expression ~ public sentiment against pool selling and gambling, was attended by nearly 400 men representing almost every class of business in the city. There was considerable enthusiasm, and the mere mention of Chief Austin's name was the signal for an outburst of applause.
 After the adoption of a set of resolutions commendatory of Chief Austin and the Po- lice Commission, the meeting adjourned.
 Frank Leslie called the meeting to order at S:30 o'clock, and in doing so stated the purposes for which it had been called. He said those assembled there had been called together by some citizens of the town, who were impelled to ask that the good people of Birmingham give expression as to cer- tain things for the good of the city. Con tinuing he said:
 We are here for the people who favor law and order as against outlawry. We are here to back up a good and brave of ficial who tries to conscientiously enforce the law"
 MT Leslie stated that nominations for chairman were in order, and the names of Captain James E. Webb and John McDou- gal were placed in nomination.
 Captain Webb received about three- fourths of the votes cast, and was declared chairman of the meeting.
 Captain Webb Chairman
 On taking the chair Captain Webb called on Dr. J. w. Newman to open the meeting with prayer In his prayer pr. Newman invoked divine blessings upon the officers of the city and the citizens generally and especially upon those assembled to give voice to law-abiding sentiments.
 At the conclusion of the prayer Captain Webb said that the honor of presiding over the meeting came to him without his bid ding, He said that a few years ago a srm- liar meeting was held in Birmingham and A committee was appointed and went to the Legislature and had the law passed that prevents pool-seling in the state. He paid a bieh tribute to Chief of Police Austin, who. he said, was a conscientious and brave officer. This reference to the chlel was vigorously applauded.
 Captain Webb said he believed the sale of intoxicating liquors and gambling over topped all other evils He charged that there were countless gambling dens in
  men and the youth. He declared the meet ing ready for business.
 J. R. Hornady was elected secretary.
 On motion committee of five on reso- lutions was appointed as follows: pr. Q. P. Fitzsimons, chairman; T. H. Johnston, Frank Leslie, s. L. Weaver and Dr. A. N. Ballard.
 Dr. A. B. Curry, pastor of the First Presbyterian Church, in response to a re- quest made short speech, in which he pledged himself to the cause espoused by the meeting. He urged all men to stand by the officers of the city in enforcing the laws and suppressing crime.
 Major John w. Johnston was called on to address the meeting. He said that he was not fully advised as to the details Of the purposes of the meeting, but he said he did know that the time had come when something must be done. He said the law against pool selling had not been uniformly enforced, but he was informed that de- termined effort would be made to prevent it's further violation. He said the officers charged with enforcing the law should have the support moral, financial and physical, if necessary, of every law-abid- ing citizen of the community. There was time in the history of Birmingham, he said' when had the officers not stood up and en- forced the law, it would have been imDos- sibe to live in the city.
 Intelligence Should Govern
 pr. J. w. Newman. presiding officer of the Birmingham district of the Methodist Church, was the next speaker. He said government should be by the intelligent. The evil-doers are much disturbed, he said because of the vigilance of the off, cers. Continuing he said:
 "If Birmingham is to be run by the gamblers, the thieves and the demi-monde, we should know 1t and then let the better class get out and go elsewhere. But there are enough good people in Birmingham to control and they should make themselves felt"
 Dr. Newman alluded to Chief Austin as A faithful and efficient official and said he should be sustained. The audience applauded.
 l. E. Wilson was called on by the chair and said that he always stood ready to do his duty to his town, his state and bis country He said the work was not alone for the present generation, but for pos terity He said the great majority of the people in Birmingham believed right and wanted to do right, but they were afraid it would hurt their pocket-books. He said that Chief Austin had backbone enough to do his duty and that he had been doing it.
 Dr. J. T. Coulbourne on being requested to say something, said that he was op- posed to gambling in every form, whether it be the crap shooter in the alley or the card player in the top floor of the sky scraper. He said if he had building and man conducted a gambling den in it he would burn it down if necessary to stop the gambling.
 pr. L. s. Handley, pastor of the Central Presbyterian Church, said: "A few years ago when our city was threatened with cholera we got together to protect our selves and our city" He said a more dangerous enemy is now being faced gambling-and he wanted to get rid of it.
 Captain J. w. Lee of the MoMillan-Lee Company said he came to the meeting to enlist under the banner of genuine reform, and that he wanted to stand up for the good officers
 Professor s. A. Ellis said he came to the meeting because he was told that every moral man was wanted. He said if the men would listen to their mothers they would soon put down gambling.
 The Resolutions Committee came in at