The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-01-19
LETTERS TO EDITOR.
Question of Carrying Weapons

To the Editor of the Age-Herald
 Since discussion of the bearing of arms has been invited, l trust you will allow me few other words In your columns
 There seems, on the part of some, a disposition to secure the passage of a blll depriving the citizen of even his con- stitutional right to carry a revolver open ly, unless 1t be weapon of a certain pattern and that only and always in the hand.
 Such law may be regulation" and not prohibition, but It Is hardly prob able that the voting masses who form Alabama's third house. will regard it otherwise than as an outrageous in- fringement upon a constitutional guaran- tee.
 If such statute as referred to enters our code, why should not such legisla- ton be pushed to it's logical sequence and allowance be made only for the carriage of 22-calbre rifle or 12-inch cannon?
 When the word "arms" was inserted in our organic law by the rramers of the constitution the pistol was well known and plainly covered by the term.
 Much of the solicitude expressed con corning the possession of pistols by the people is about as consistant as would be a refusal to recognize that razors have a legitimate use because the vicious fre- quently resort to them with murderous in- tent.
 The real cause of cheapness of life lies tn ha fao ha of law iG too prone to expend its force In crusading against such minor evils as the conceal ment of weapons while the cold bloodcd murderer walks out of our courthouses free to claim fresh victims.
 Too often the county convict for some petty offense in the hell of mine or camp, is legally executed by the .u- bercle bacillus. while inc man whose sin is infinitely worse goes free as bird.
 The remote planter and contractor whose turbulent hands respect only pres ent force; the drover who needs must carry roll of money in his pocket or saddle bags as he rides through the coun- try to buy up cattle; the railway con- duetor, the escort of ladies forced to
  country road encountering, as he fre- quently must. the desperate hobo or per- haps negroes tired by lust or whisky. will doubtless be consumed with gratitude toward the temporary powers by whose edct he goes on his perilous way help less as a sheep, or, as an alternative. clutchng in one hand a heavy revolver, while he performs the necessities of busi- ness or journey with the other.
 Conditions of oanger for many who are not the bulles. towards and mankilers of theory do frequently. certainly and unmIs- tions the public mind comprehends 1t more than ever before.
 The judge who perhaps tries more criminals than any other on the Alabama bench and who Is said to De less ire auently reversed by the Supreme court than any other has, with MT. Blackburn. prepared a bill which Is conservative and based on large observation and common sense. The average Alabama expression Is in its favor, and 1t is undoubtedly the best measure proposed to meet the condi- tion.
 do not carry a weapon, ana write this chiefly for tmpersonal reasons, because do not like to see our state afflicted with an unjust law which good men will be likely to break in response to the call of necessity which, In the last analysis. Is the sternest law of all.
 ROBERT JEM1sON HARGROvE.
 scaloCsa. Ala.