The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-02-04
DETECTIVES TO work.
uisdoa wiIl Take New start on Pre-
 kahstton Law.

a a4sl e1.f.'
 Birmingham. Feb. 3.--tSpeciai. )--- Sheriff E. l.. Eigdon announced to- day that there was no secret in con- nection with the daily visits that are being made by deputy sheriffs to so- ciaI club rooms and gambling houses. He said that It was not hts province to make arrests without warrants or unelss his men happened to see viclar xions Of the law. but that he had per- feet right to send his men to places freQuented by others and that he would find out why his men could not get Into a certain place where they were refused adfnittance. He declared that maybe the next grand jury could ascertain what was going on behind doors that would not open for deputy sherfffs on their nightly. rounds to places where the law is said to be fiagrantiy violated.
 For some time squad of deputies have been around from place to place. taking notes on everything they saw, Names of persons, seen in social clubs. either as employees or visitors were taken and turned over to the sheriff. He has a record of all these things and the book will make interesting read fng. ik Is said, although the sherim will not divulge eny,o of the secrets.
 'T propose to make daily visits to the places where whislIey and beer is said to be sold.,, declared Sheriff Hig- don. But this I mean that a certain number Of deputies win be assigned each day to so from club room to club room and get notes on things neen and persons there. Of course, when the law is violated In front of the deputies arrests will follow; but the purpose of the visits will be largely to get acquainted with every person connected with such places and ascer- tain the naraes of people who frequent such resorts.
 sAna want to say that when we arrest a man in such places 1t is not with view of prosecuting or anything of that sort. It is not our fault when a good citizen happens to be found sitttng at . poker table or perchance drinking q bottle of beer over the counter. But 1t is our sworn duty to arrest him. It makes no difference to me personally nor any of my men what becomes of the case. and we do net like to be placed in the attitude of trying to persecute any one. But when any man through 8 strong personal 'pulf or any other means crawls through a loop hole and then tries to give me trouble. want to be prepared for. him. That is one reason why l am familiar izing myself with the ways of so many people who either operate social clubs themselves or may be found in them most any time. .s
 The Multiplicity of Suits.
 T do not hesitate to say that a null ttplielty of suits have been brought against me for doing my duty as sher- iff. These suits do not bother me in the least, and think I can take care of myself when they come to trial. or I'll know the reason why. When man sues me l like to find out something about him, and think I know most of the plaintiffs who have thus far sought the courts because they happened to be where they fell into the drag nets of the sheriff.
 Sheriff Higdon said that he was not asleep and that he did not propose to be bullied by men who persist In vio- lating the law. He said that some one had gone so far as to write to his bondsmen about all the suits that have been brought. The sheriff said that he felt assured that he could take care of himself in the matter of bonds and that the gamblers and blind tiger peo- pie could not frighten him in that way. He lntimated that many substan- tial business men of the city had call ed to see him ana pledged their per- sonaI support ffnEhoially or otherwise if 1t were needed.
 While appreciate my friends said Sheriff HigdOn, T don't think <. will have to call on any of them to make a new bond for me-
 Sheriff Higdon said that it was his purpose to place secret service men al the entrance of some of the places ir Birmingham and instruct them to as' certain who frequent the places. He said that he had in mind one place whose attorneys had advised, 1t wa: said, that admission be refused to th' deputies.
 The deputies made another rount Tuesday night and reported to th' sheriff Wednesday just what they saw and all the details, Names of many persons in the places were furnished and the sheriff says he is learning more and more every day.