The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-09-06

ulation in the very homes of the people and along our principal streets; notwth- standing the law forbids 1t?
 Present conditions are. offensive to social order and will soon breed graft and corruption. It has ceased to be a question of whether the prohibition law is expedient; for upon this question men may honestly differ. The vital question of the hour Is the menace to the entire community, caused by constant and un- controlled violation of this public law.
 "It is well to remember, in connection with the prohibition law that before the legislature of Alabama passed the state wide prohibition law, the people of Jeff ferson county held a local option cleo ton and adopted prohibition.
 What the legislature has done since that time is largely to provide laws, in- tended to enforce the law against the sale of liquor, which the people of this county has adopted by majority vote.
 ''The sale of whisky. wine or beer is a misdemeanor; and this, like every other unlawful act, should receive no encour-' agement or countenance by law-abiding people; and certainly not from officers of the law.
 'Is there no public sentiment against the gambling house, where young men, weak men, reckless men or speculative men, are invited to lose their salaries and their earnings for the benefit of pro- fessional violators of law. Are the fam flies of these men, who can ill-afford to lose their money in so-called games of chance, entitled to no protection against light-fingered artists, who live by their wits alone without lawful occupation?
 If these laws are neglected and al- lowed to go by default, what guarantee have we that the laws against murder, burglary or robbery will be respected?
 oIi vyOyIld have orderly V- ernment, conducted by their officers for the good of all is 1t not time for public sentiment to demand government by law and not government in the interest of those who grow rich by violating law. A loose administration of law, by which law breakers are encouraged and screened will not long be tolerated in this great county, I am sure.
 ''I believe that the violation of all laws can be diminished by proper diligence but if we find that one law or set of laws is difficult to enforce, shall we weak ly throw mp our hands and acknowledge ourselves incapable of self-government as to such laws? Or shall we take our stand for decent administration of law, and make an honest, practical and earnest ef- fort to drive out the brasen, professional law breaker who now f1ourishes in broad daylight on every hand, through some- body's neglect or design The present condition of affairs in regard to the en- forcement of these laws is a reflection on every one connected with the admins tration of the criminal law.
 "So long as laws are on the statute books they should be held sacred by self respecting people and self-respecting off, fcers.
 Otherwise the pillars of the temple of justice will be pulled down admidst general contempt for courts and law.
 Tt Is for you to investigate these con ditions; and if you find that any of these laws are being fagrantly violated as al leged the law leaves you no discretion but to indict the guilty parties, if the evidence justifies you. and it is, in my judgment, necessary for the good name of the county that something be done by this grand jury