The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-09-18
OFFICER ASSAULTED CHIEF
 AND WENT UNFINISHED

We find that Officer Melton,
 while drunk on the streets of Bes-
 semer. assaulted the chief of po-
 lice without cause and without pro
 vocation. disgracing his position
 and bringing discredit upon the en-
 forcement of law. order and de-
 cency. Although complaint was
 made to the police committee by
 the chief of police We cannot as
 certain that any punishment what
 ever was inflicted upon this off
 cer We are also informed that his
 son Is a member of the board of
 aldermen of the city of Bessemer.
 "We find that Cephas Ross, who Is A brother of George Ross, president of the city council and member of the police committee. a policeman on the force. has been found In a drunk en condition on three separate occasions by the chief of police and that although complaint has been made to the police committee no action has been taken.
 "We further find that pistols which were confiscated from prisoners and which were their property were di- veded up among some of the police men of the city of Bessemer by R. J, McCabe. former chief of police. We also have evidence of criminal condi- tions existing in Bessemer that could have and could now be remedied if all the officers were alert and diligent in the discharge of their duties.
 We do not mean to indicate by this report that there are no good people connected with the administration of the municipal affairs of the city of Bessemer, an we think that to a large extent these reprehensible practices have insidiously entered into the ad ministration of the municipal govern ment. It is doubtless true that these facts are not known in their entirety, to any individual member of the board of aldermen. which board Is composed of citizens in various walks of life. busy with their own affairs. We do sincerely trust, however. and urge in the interest of the ignorant. illiterate, poor and oppressed, people who are ordinarily the chief sufferers In the hands of cruel. incompetent or unscrup- ulous officers. that steps be taken Inn mediately to stamp out the evil prac- tice which the most casual examina ' tion by the board will discover. We feel sure that no more Is necessary than to direct the attention of those who are charged with the serious re- sponsibi1ity of protecting the weak unfortunate and humble. as well as the rich and powerful. to the inhuman practice of beating and wounding pris- oners who are entitled to the protec tion of the state. In statement of
  herein made. we hope to be of some benefit in the suppression of an evil which we cannot too strongly condemn. man does not forfeit his life because he has been guilty of a misdemeanor and seeks to escape. nor does he forfeit his right to be treated as human being by reason of the fact that he is charged with or an officer suspects that he is guilty of a crime. Instead of being ready and waiting to strike a prisoner in his custody. an officer should protect him. The third degree methods are not approved by law by custom. nor by conscience and until the time when men are selected as off cers who are too brave. too generous and too honorable to take advantage of helplessness and misfortune even good officers will be viewed by the public with dscredit and suspicion Such practices are dishonorable. tyran- ical and despotc and such rights must not be surrendered to any officer or set of officers, so long as human life Is held sacred and human liberty and human safety of paramount import ance. Respectfully submitted
 "OTTO F. MOONEY.
 Foreman"