The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-09-14
A CONSPIRACY AGAINST LAW pr. Dickinson on Blind
 Tigers. INVESTIGATED THE SITUATION Charges Officers of Law With
 Neglect of Duty. Declares That the Majority of Rumors About Blind Tigers Is Gotten
 Up For Campaign
 Purposes.
INVESTIGATED THE SITUATION

Birmingham. Sept 13-(Speclal)- Rev. pr. J. A Dickinson. pastor of the First Baptist Church of Birmingham, and former president of the Pastors Union. one of the most active minis ters in Birmingham. has given out an Interview in reference to the blind ti- ger problem Says he:
 T have taken occasion to investigate the situation in this city with refer ence to the blind tiger evil. Possibly some of the findings may be of inter- est to the public. The majority of those one hears about are utterly fic- titious and the rumors of their open existence Is gotten up for campaign purposes. It is an effort to deceive the people and make them believe that t is not possible to enforce the law: and so lay a predicate for a movement for it's repeal. If the enemies of the law are to do anything to bring about its repeal, they must do 1t while they have the police power of the city for next May they will give place to q police commission which is pledged to en- force the law. So they are trying to make hay while the sun shinea
 Failure of Omcera.
 But 1t is as plain as daylight, that any failure of enforcement in the pres ent situation is due entirely to the failure of those charged with the en- forcement of the law. and not to any defect in the law or lack of provision for execution in it. If prohibition other cities, and so it is a part of the campaign in other places to render the law as nugatory as possible in Birm, ingham. Hence. the advertisement Of fictitious blind tigers in this city -Ir campaign purposes. But there are some genuine blind tigers in this city. Thee are for the most part operated under the direction of ex-saloon p-oprietors Every one I have investigated may be traced to the ingenuity of an ex-saloOn man. He knows the ropes and the trade: and he alone can organize and operate such an institution. They usually hide behind the veil of a sot. drink establishment.
 "A blind tiger Is one of the most interesting social organizations. It's social structure is about as follows: An old saloonist who knows the liquor trade from long experience and how to get the goods. gets license for soft drink stand. He employs some ex-barkeeper or patron. who knows the drinkers among the people. to serve behind his counter. He then gives his employees directions to serve only this constituency and such others as will pledge themselves to secrecy. No one else can get a drink and have advertised in vain for any one who can show me how I can get one. I did
 
 the conspiracy can be served at blind tiger. Prohibition does prohibit the sale of liquors now except to tae man who will enter Into conspiracy against the law. But men whose thirst ia so oyerweaning and control ling that they are willing to compro- mise their manhood and citizenship by entering into conspiracy against the law, may through that conspiracy edu- cate themselves yet more in the es- tate of drunkenness.
 Such buns. on account of their un- eontrollable thirst, will not let them selves be saved from their drink. But the open defiance of law through the formation of conspiracies strikes at the very foundation of all law and order and is blow at all social or der If the State Is going to declare itself helpless against conspiracy, 1t might as well cease to deceive the people by calling itself 8 government.
 An Extra Session.
 Tt is the duty of the Governor in view of the struggle which Is on with reference to this law, and If the pres ent agencies and legal instruments are inadequate, to call an extra session of the Legislature to proHida. means for the rescue of society from these conspiracies. Look at the situation In this city and county. Here we have a number of men, adopts at the busi- ness, COnSplf1nS together dSdlnSL Ln6 law of the State to render it of non effect and so far as they can, they have under their duress the power of the police of this city and county and thereby render nugatory the machin- cry for the execution of law; they openly advertise the inability of tho State to execute the law against them. Shall the State of Alabama submit to this indignity? Here is a strike of the saloonist conspiracy against the State and a defiance of its power to help itself. If the executive power of this State from Governor down sub mIts to be held up in this fashion, then woe betide law and order in this State.
 "The law ought to be amended so that the executive officer. sheriff. con- stable policeman or what not, who falls to do his duty may be removed at once and one who will render com petent service in the office be put in his place by the Governor. The pro- hibition law, though admirably adapt ed to prohibit the saloon, is not so efficient In the case of a blind tiger and 1t ought to be amended so that the purchaser may be exempt from prosecution when he testifes for the State. On the first of January next every part of this State will be ex- posed to these conspirators against the law and will need efficient legal instruments for their protection. Sure. ly the Governor. who has shown him self so heroic recently In meeting his official trust in seeing that the law is enforced. will not stand by and see the whole State held up by the multi tudinous conspiracies after this fash ion Such a confession of weakness would be Indeed humlliating both to him and to the people and do an in- jury to the enforcement of the law which 1t will take generations to over come