The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-09-06
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sweeping and exhaustive charge, in which no form of law violation in Jeffer- son county was left unmentioned was Criminal Judge w. E. Fort to the grand Jury empaneled for the September term
 The grand jury was organized as soon as possible yesterday morning. J. A. Eastis, recently elected state legislator from Jefferson county, was chosen fore man. The + other veniremen who com pose the jury are:
 Lee Cotton, Howard Lacey, Oscar w. Goodson, J. Thomas Saulter, Alex Poss, Ellis, John A. Going, Ped A. Hickman. Clyde c. Harris, John A. vandeburg, Fred Pledger, Joseph T. DeJernett, Charles E. Lint, Lucien Harris and James A. Berry.
 After the usual exposition as to the technical points of jury work, Judge Fort launched into discussion of the viola tion of laws in Jefferson county More stress was given the matter of violation of the prohibition laws than any other, although murder. robbery and the other offenses enumerated above were given ample discussion.
 Summary of Charge
 q have faith to believe that the people of this growing and prosperous county want all their laws respected and upheld" said Judge Fort, and that they prefer to have the water bailed out of the boat, even, if it locks the boat a little.
 Yet I venture to say no man really be- lieves that a number of our laws are en- forced so as to be feared by the vio- lator thereof. On the contrary, every one knows that the laws against carrying concealed pistols, reckless speeding of au- tomobiles, selling liquor and gambling are trampled under foot many times every day, thus causing an unwholesome dis respect for all lava
 These laws are misdemeanors, pun ishable by fine or by fine and imprison- ment or hard labor for the county; and we are told that they cannot be enforced be- cause they are against public sentiment.
 Public sentiment is a good thing when wisely directed for the good of all; but until it is crystalized into law by the legislature of the state it should com mand no mans obedience
 Mob law or law by passion, with all it's uncertainties and it's evils, will sure- ly arise when public law is cast into contempt and spurned by the people There Is no further need for courts when the sentiment of the hour nullihes the statute; for courts will have no written standard by which to measure justice. The sentiment of today may change to- morrow, and thus all orderly government be destroyed
 Let us bring this question home to ourselves. Is 1t a wise public sentiment that permits men and boys to carry dead ly weapons concealed about their persons to slay or wound their neighbors upon some rash impulse or trivial pretext?
 Are not many of the unlawful homi- cides so prevalent in this county, direct ly traceable to the habit of carrying con- cealed weapons?
 Reckless Speeding
 ''Is 1t right for men to run automobiles like madmen along our public streets where hundreds of men, women and chill dren are passing and repassing every hour? Are life and limb so cheap that they must be jeopardized and often sac rificed for the idle pleasure of the hour?
 If you are not familiar with reck- less speeding in your locality, you have only to risk the integrity of your limbs on some of the most prominent streets in this city.
 "Is it for the public good that liquor is sold without license restraint Or rep-