The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-02-23
Sheriff Hood Visits St. burban Montgomery. 7
FINDS ALL SALOONS CLOSED
Absence of Idle Negro Commented
 Upon.
Fact That Liquor Places on Edge of City Are Out of Business Proof
 of Improved Conditions.

Relative to the report which gained oredence on the streets of Montgom- cry several days ago as to a conIer- snce which took place between GOV ernor Conner and Sheriff Hood or Mont gomery county as to the enforcement of the prohibition laws, SheriH Hood made a tour of the suburbs or Mont romery Sunday with most satisfactory results.
 Sheriff Hood states that saloons, which prior to January l were places where the idle negroes congregated in large numbers. has been entirely dis continued, and to his mind shows all most conclusively that the prohibition laws are being observed in the city of Montgomery.
 In an interview he says:
 "I had occasion to visit suburb of Montgomery yesterday where, prior to the first of January, before prohibition went into effect. a large number or saloons kept in connection with family grocery stores and around which places gathered on Sunday hundreds of idle negroes" said Sheriff Hood to-day. "but yesterday these stores were all closed tightly and there was not negro to be seen anywhere.
 This, to my mind," continued the sheriff, "is proof that the prohibition law Is being. observed by the former suburban saloons, in fact, that they have gone out of business. as hither- to Sunday was their best day for whiskey sales.
 The absence of negro loafers from these places where liquor was hither- to sold not only shows that the law is being observed. but 1t furnishes proof that the law is doing much in improving conditions, and that good effects are far reaching. The negro who has been in the habit of loafing about these suburban saloons espe- cially on Sunday, Is a natural-born criminal and has given the authorities more trouble than all other classes combined.
 within the past few days con- tinued Sheriff Hood, 'T have been compliment by many ministers of the Gospel on the splendid condition of, affairs that exist in this city. One of the most noted and best beloved diyines In Montgomery stated to me that he had daily passed up and down the streets of the city, and he had ob- served no runkenness, no violation of the liquor law and he believed that the law was being enforced here in way to command respect for the law and without needless friction, excite ment or grand stand plays. think you are doing all in your power, and all that you should be expected to kdo,' said the minister, to enforce the law. and 1t is gratifying to know that thus early in the campaign against iwhiskey so soon after the law has gone into effect, there has been such Ia general and quiet yielding and obedience to the law"
 1T do not pretend to say the prohi- tbition law Is not violated" said Sheriff Hood, "for we all admit that: lbut do contend. and with reason and knowledge of the facts, that the law lis being observed remarkably well in the capital city of the State. more generally than in Birmingham or Mo. bile, and the man who asserts to tho contrary islanders the community and brings the law, consciously or uncon- sciously. into disrepute. He either seeks to discredit the law. knowingly and wilfulIy. or he speaks without knowledge of the facts"
 Tt Is true there are rumors that the law is being openly violated. but accept as better testimony than idle rumors coming to its knowledge, which found only three true bills: and this. too. after every possible effort had been made during the session of the grand jury to ferret out and get at the facts that the guilty might be brought to justice.
 q think the law officers of Mont gomery county including the judge and solicitor, congratulate themselves on the law abiding spirit of the com munity, and especially with reference to the prohibition laws. But so far as I am concerned, I will relax no efforts to maintain the dignity of the law and to secure its rigid and honest enforce ment and in this I am gratifed to know that I will be able to work in thorough harmony with Judge Arm stead Brown and the no less able So- licitor, Captain Phil Stern"