The Greeneville daily sun. (Greeneville, Tenn.) 1918-1920, 1919-08-11
TO THE MAYOR AND ALDERMEN
OF GREENEVILLE:

Il
one as to whether the laws made for
the protection of life and property
are obeyed or disobeyed in Greene
vile, whose inhabitants boast of the
greatness, beauty and grandeur of
the town. This is a good trait of the
inhabitants of Greeneville or any
town, city or country, if this distin-
guished character is to be supported
by facts. But, on the other hand, #
what is rough, uncivil, dangerous OF
disgraceful should be considered, first
by the civil officers, by the Mayor
and Board of Aldermen, Marshal, and
all the officers Of both the corpora
ton and of the county-the sheriff,
judges, and justices of the peace-if
these all play truant or are silent,
nom efficient, then the taxpayers
should speak. If all are silent, then
those endangered by the lapse of
the law should speak. These can
speak by using the public press, or
by suits in the courts, against the cor
poration, or against officers, who by
their negligence, lay themselves liable
to pay the damage, if any.
On yesterday l only saved myself
from collision with an automobile
near the intersection of Depot and
Loretta streets. This nigh have
proved fatal, or caused me serious
and painful bodily injury. l did not
know the chauffeur or occupant of
the car. But evidently he was care
less chauffeur, bad citizen, and a
criminal that ought to be behind the
bars of the Jail.
Money damage or criminal penal
ties will not restore life when lost.
It will not make a sound person out
of cripple This particular car was
turning the Garner from Loretta street
west of the Southern Railway depot,
and running at a most rapid rate of
speed-probably, at least, the rate
of SO miles per hour. Such violation
of law ought not to be allowed. /
got out Of the way by only a bare
escape. | sought to obtain the num-
Der of the car. There was no rear
number, and if numbered at all, the
car was running so fast aud out of
distance so quick, could not see the
number. l do not believe it had
number to the rear end of the car as
required by law,
The corporation of Greeneville
should make pedestrian conveyance
safe on every street and at every cor
ner.
The rate of speed should be fixed
at slow rate miles per hour at
corners and miles in the crowded
business streets, and not faster than
the speed of 10 miles per hour in the
corporate limits. For the violation
Of these laws, the fines should be high,
with Jail penalties attached for sec
1nd violation, and no escape from its
execution.
No child or incompetent person
should be permitted to operate car
as chauffeur The car should be lev
led on and sold for the payment Of
fine and costs.
Let the corporation employ watch
man, marshal clothed with the au-
thority and the means to determine
The speed of cars by the use of
'peedometer attached to an elegant
y equipped motor cycle to determine
who violates the law, and arrest him,
Johnny on the spot"
Some of our neighboring towns
rave thus enforced the law; have
made life safe from these vicious at
,acks from wicked, thoughtless, mean,
leartless chauffeurs, who now swarm
,ur streets.
There is one. other remedy probably
more effective than the one ! have
lurriedly set forth.
The right of self-defense is a well
,nown right, and is as old as human
ty. A man when attacked by anoth-
r with a deadly weapon, or one la
lie to infict great bodily harm, or
ven death, has the right to repel
orce by force. He could shoot the
and save his life and be
trictly within the law of self-defense.
sometimes it takes drastic measures
o effect remedy.
The footman has legal right to
urn a corner or cross a street with
ut doing it at the risk of his life.
What steps will our officers take
D insure the people against automo-
lie destruction? 1t is a very live
uestion. Some of our neighboring
owns have been checking this daily
rowing evil. / speak in defense of
le hundreds of little children that
'ayel our streets every minute of
lie day. ] speak for the aged. l
ant to see what action is taken.
po.voo+F,,lI,,