The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-05-03
GADSDEN POLICE
 FORCE SHAKEN UP Council Is Intent Upon Pro- hibitiOn Enforcement.
 ViOlatOr Sentenced

Gadsden, May 2.-(Specal.) )-At a meet ing of the council last night, which last ed into the early hours of the morning, two of the patrolmen, Thomas and Huff man. were suspended from the force be- ing charged with alleged drinking while on duty. There has been considerable trouble brewing in police circles for some time because the laws are not being en- forced as they should be. M. F. Roper was put on the force to take the place of Thomas, and as Huffman was serv- ing extra no one was named to succeed him.
 The chief was called before the council end questioned as to why the laws were not strictly enforced, and claimed that he did not have men enough to properly police the city. The council also consid- cred number of other matters that have been hanging fire for some time, chief among them being the running of street cars on Chestnut street. where no cars have been operated for more than a year because of quarrel between the city and the street car company which is now still unsettled. although the supreme court has handed down a decision sustaining the city in it's contentious
 County Superintendent of Education J. E. Williams stated today that the ap- piopriaton for the county schools would be $2500 short for the coming year be- cause of the falling off in the payment of poll tax. MT. Williams favored local taxation for the use of the schools and was much disappointed by the failure of the bill that should have provided the way.
 Judge Bilbro of the city court this morn- ing passed sentence on D. T. Weir of Ala bama City, who was convicted last week on two charges of selling liquor illegally He is an old man and also an old offender who has insisted on openly defying the law. The jury assessed fine in one case against him of $50 and in the other one sS5O. To this the judge added imprison- ment and work on the county chain gang for six months in each case
 Notice of an appeal was at once given and the judge fixed the appeal bond at 5000 in each case. Weir is still in the county jail In passing sentence the judge spoke for an hour and gave the prisoner some wholesome advice. He also said that he had withheld sentence for several days in order that he might in quire as to the general reputation of the prisoner as he wished to deal as lenientlv as possible with him on account of his age.
 At meeting of the court yesterday the county commissioners decided to hire drivers for the wagons on the roads and keep ! q convicts at work with the pick and shovel as it is deemed urgent that more and better work on the roads be ac- complshed. Ten teams and wagons are employed by the road force. and 10 men will be hired to act as drivers for them.
 Mayor Bellenger announced today that hereafter the stock law would be Enforced within the city limits. Heretofore there has been an agreement that in certain sections the stock might run at large because 1t was thought to help the poorer people of the city, but the state law makes 1t the duty of the mayor to en- force it if complaint is made, and there has been considerable complaint.