The age-herald., 1900-08-16
ASK AUTHORITIES
 TO ENFORCE LAW
Want Women Stopped from
 Visiting Saloons.
ACTION BY MASS MEET TING
Better Element of Colored Citizens Pro test Against Evil Practice -Peti- ton Presented to Council
 Last Nlght-The Protest

The better element of colored people, led by the colored ministers of the city, have inaugurated a movement to bring about moral reforms among their race, and ask the support and cooperation of the officers of the law and the white people of the city. The first step in the direction was taken Tuesday night at largely attended mass meeting held at St. Paul's A. M. F. church. which protested against certain class of women visiting barrooms and the practice of sending children to saloons for whisky and beer.
 The meeting was called to order by Rev. R. H. Keller, city missionary, who was elected chairman. Dr. J. Q. Johnson was made secretary.
 The object of the meeting was stated by the chairman, who urged immediate ac- .lon. Speeches were made by Rev w. R. Pettiford, J. e. Johnson, William McGill, W. r. Smith, Tom W. Walker, S. W. bachelor and Mrs. J. R. England. The speeches were all earnest, the speakers urG- ing that every effort be made to bring about the reforms for the moral uplifting of the entire race.
 The Protest
  petition in the shape of a protest was adopted and a committee appointed to bring it to the attention of the city au- thorities:
 I've, the colored citizens of Birmingham, in mass meeting assembled in St. Paufs Methodist Episcopal church, protest against any colored woman visiting bar rooms, or so-called ladies wine rooms, or any other public place where whisky, beer or any intoxicating liquors are to be obtained.
 We protest also against the allowing of any bar rooms restaurants adjoining to sell whisky or beer other intoxicating liquors to children sent to these places to purchase the same. We regard this as se- rious corruption of the morals of our youth, and a menace to the welfare of our homes; also this practice results in the increase of youthful criminals, and is against the well fare and purity of our fair city.
 'We most soemnly petition our honor- able Mayor and Council and the police au- thorities to enforce such legislations as bear on these points, or, if no such ordinances exist in our city code, to immediately enact such special measures and execute the same. The evils above mentioned are known to all good citizens. They stand as a dis grace and public nuisance, which must be plotted out to maintain the good name of ous city.
 I've pledge our moral and political sup port to all who unite with us in stamping out these evils. We call upon all good cit izens to join in this
 Fully 1000 people, the majority being women attended the meeting. The Wo- mans Christian Temperance Union also presented re. olutions which were adopted unanimously. They read:
 ". C. T. U. Resolutions
 ''Whereas We, the Woman's Christian Temperance Union and coored ladies Of Birmingham, find the drinking of beer among the colored women of this city and going into the bar rooms is becoming so prevalent.
 And, whereas, We feel that this habit is degrading to any woman, and we are doing all can as Christian workers, and ask the cooperation of our ministers and every good citizen to help the ministers and the Womans Christian Temperance Union to stop this great evil
 Be it resolved, That our worthy Mayor and Chief of Police enforce this law, as it's violation is degrading to any people.
 HALLE T. JOHNSON, M. D.
 MRS. J. R. ENGLAND,
 State Superintendent of the w. c. T. U."