The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-05-17
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Editor The Advent
 On Saturday at 5t End we had a killing, on Sunday we had 2 cutting and on Monday we had a general fight, and as result, one man was killed and another attempted to commit sui- eide, and this is not the first time such acts of lawlessness have been permit ted by, those whose duty 1t Is to pre- vent them. l use the word permit be- cause no provision is made by. the Council of Montgomery for enforce ment of the city ordinances in this portion of the city, notwithstanding the fact that additional issues of li- cense for. the sale of whiskey have in- creased the necessity, for guardians of the peace. The condition that exists in 'The Bottom" on Bell Street Is not only reflection on those whose duty from every citizen of Montgomery qualified to vote. For several weeks there has been. a petition before the City Council signed by many of the the urgent need of officers of the law west of Bell Street bridge. It died the death of all such petitions from this very much neglected portion of our city. Perhaps there is not a town anywhere that \has granted a single license for the sale of whiskey and failed to supply that community with here in West End, formerly an incor- porated city of 5000 inhabitants. with Mayor and other officers of the law, @Gs GreaeT aGM t wpth pafa no S5 policemen at all and bar rooms to let. Think of it! Seven bar rooms from a license, stuffs the money in its pock- ct and leaves the citizens of West End to whistle-for a policeman that never done. and the battle is lost or won" unless perchance some unfortunate ones escape has been rendered impos- sible by a murderous bullet or a death- a la nf ha And yet some of those having the power to make the needed appropria- tion offer the fiimsy excuse that the city cannot afford additional police. If the city can afford to protect the lives and property of it's citizens in one por- tlon of the city 1t can and should offer % nesdsd and 1t has Ghs5 not anG 5sPtsns dan not be denied that regular policemen are necessary to keep the peace in a con community wherein seven par rooms and on leap year S66. and a fraction over.
 There may be some things Tor which a city cannot afford to spend money but whenever the conclusion is reached by the officers of any city that they are too financially poor to render req against lawlessness and withhoids that protection, you may look with certain ty for that city's treasury to become still more depleted for this would ll--
 
 purposes less urgent and appropriate. The people are the source from which q city draws all of its strength, hnan- cial and otherwise, and high and above all other considerations is their per sonal safety. and the treasury of no city can with credit to those who steer Its finances be without ample means for this purpose.
 Yesterday we had a scene at West End that would have made the Jesse James gang green with jealousy In their palmiest days-five or six men threaten to run a man from his store ito avoid which the proprietor tele- phoned to police headquarters for an at present to send" and then the bat tie with brick-bats and pistol with a loss of two lives, striking terror into he hearts of a neglected people.
 Will Councilmen continue to stand up and say we are GOO poor to help you? We have no money but plenty of lives to spare? We have no money but inmates of homes who must listen to the noise and curses of the inebriatO who roam the street every day and Sunday too. We have no money but numbers of fair daughters who are forced to walk In the dusty and muddy streets because not room enough for them and whiskey soaked men on the mothers who tremble for the safety of their loved ones from the time they leave home until, they return.
 No, gentlemen, let it not be said that Montgomery has money enough for all purposes except the protection of it's people.
 West End,