The Montgomery advertiser., 1906-10-07
Carrying Weapons.

ro tho Legislators of Alabama:
 Al il time when our country IS d rms with the turmoil of mob violence: u,i,. hi z
 of other crimes was vastly IsSeisiaters s do our t ln the .n n'e everIas sting service in the en-
 actment of a law that will. in a HenS
 large degree. render fa~lesnfif ffaas~u',sntWif not not
 fr,me pr,nracticabie. aITne law to prevent the he
 narpmirious rlsip, and promiscuous practice t, O, pperrvine concealed weapons. ana in
 regulate the carrying or ,,igbt be in
 n,nded knives and razors. would ac-
 complish that result. .xact
 Were it possible to gather the eA. sh .
 figures ouf frem sTpemse wn.ca the State undergo . annually in apprehending and proseIhIi. ing crimes. which are attrlputapifr. .a |.
 either directly, or indireetts fs I.s astounde inp and we would wonder why an in :, teiiigent people should have permdi'',co pnd ,,' such practice to have been ehsaseo i' in this day of civiiizatlon, ,n,ov som. aoo negroes in this county; and were [ to carefully search thelr quarters |
 ould find as many pistols phod aHG witb uI.. th,. eTowed eTc% ed intent. or thought: of shooting
 some man. if the opportunity presen,.d itself: and my experience Is not uni!ks K that of others in any se sectloh Iehor oi Th,, % practice. ] however. is not so prevalent h, In
 the cities where they are liable to De
 arprehended on .a,d that geT or same amy strn fe
 charge If rseuiating we feuin stf this evil. the
 i;eb,esa Eeh, sd~ nenaIfy for this violation to he several years in the penitenliary
 and fee of s25 to "a any cyonTIet one bsieV..
 we would be greatly relieved of this ir, r,iouitous indulgence: And a resuia . ton of the sale and ownersnlp or u ua
 r "ii = ti,o neynetrators of riot1 and mobs in their inability to get the mum tinns of war, as well as to prevent Vlo fence in times of strikes.
 Afrina. where we are liable to De srranp upon by some vicious animal or venomous serpent. then We might nay day and time I have yet 10 SC" whers anything good can result rom '"''
 practice. ,, .ho. the h;rv will not convict. If the ev'-
 Gence Is sufficient to show violation.
 of the law. I fail to see how the lurN
 can fail to convict. But, granting
 there is truth in the argument. W"
 must educate our jurors to realiHa .
 ton of the enormity of tn" crimes re n oral effect of a stringent law here will have wonderful result.
 It is the custom of our courts in this section to assess a fine Of S5o TOT tniS violation, which Is usually raid. But
 wcro the party accused of tho crime
 caused to realize that the fact of his being in possession of the means, wit: which the crime is committed: wouit receive equally as gle eat punishment as for computing the deed the horror of his punishment would ne doubled would recommend law tn TO
 ouire every man owning n gun of any character. to register same with some county official. and on sufficient proof orlv that he intended to us. It m in cf.p nth mate and speci1" purpose.
 Let the Legislature divest the negro of his Implement of war. and you will have gained a great victory iowa settling the questions, so imminent In ihe minds of our people at this time. Very truly,
 w. T McGowin. Mobile. Ala, Get. sth, 1906.