The Columbus commercial. (Columbus, Miss.) 1893-1922, 1919-09-21
OPPOSE THE OUTRAGEOUS
MORAL CONDITIONS
IN COLUMBUS.
MEETING is HELD
Movement is Started to Have
Laws Enforced Within City
Limits.

Although Columbus has been put
on record as having all the while
stood for law enforcement, clean city
administration, and moral support of
every effort at good citizenship,
movement has been started by a
number Of most prominent citizens
seeking a better enforcement Of the
laws against such fragrant evils as
lewdness, Illicit sale Of intoxicants
and gambling, and a quiet meeting
was held at the First Methodist
church Thursday evening, at which
time the matter was discussed. Rev
]. H. Felts, pastor Of the First
Methodist church, presided and was
elected chairman. Mr.. T. l. Gum
was named secretary.
The following document was heart
lily endorsed by those in attendance
and was afterwards presented to the
city officials:
To the Mayor, City Council, and
Chief Of Police:
We, citizens Of Columbus, whose
names appear with this document,
after full and untrampled discussion
of the local conditions that obtain
in our city, hereby pledge ourselves,
insofar as our influence may go,
to the heartiest and most sympathet-
ic support Of the officers Of our
town in a definite and sustained ef-
fort TO enforce laws against such fla
grant evils as lewdness, Illicit sale
of intoxicants' and gambling. CON-
monty reported to be prevalent in
Columbus.
Further, we desire 20 put our
selves op record as having all the
while stood for law enforcement,
eean city administration, and moral
support Of every effort at good cit
izenship.
We call special attention also to
the fact that we have 3 great inst-
tuition in our city. known as the l. l.
and c., where many of the girls Of
our state are being educated, and
that we deem this fact an additional
incentive to deeeney and a whole
some atmosphere in eur city.
Whatever may have contributed
to the present state Of affairs, o.
whoever may be responsible fOi
same is now not of moment; we
call on every man and woman who
loves deeency and stands for law and
order, regardless of church affilia-
tion, or whether they be members OF
any church, to let it be known to
those in authority that they are not
only ready to give moral background
to law enforcement. but to make a
fight, if necessary, for common de-
cency in our city without fear or
favor.
We have sufficient information
to be more specific and definite, b.
deem it the part Of wisdom, desir
ing to be fair to all pa.ties concern
ed. to let this suffice at present.
But be il understood that this is thc
beginning Of a crusade against the
flagrant and outrageous moral con
ditions obtaining, and a call to our
officers and citizens to stand for a
moral cleanup.
Resolved that a copy Of this doc
ument be given to the Mayor, Chief
Of Police, each alderman. and to tn
two papers for publication.
Signed, J. H. Felts, Pastor Fir
Methodist Church, chairman; 7.
Gum, secretary; R. S. Gavin, Pas
tor First Baptist Church, W. F. Nett
Pastor Christian Church; 7. W
Gregory, Pastor Central Methodist
Church; E. Lucien Malone, J. D. Nc
Cullough, 7. NJ. Pullen, E. R. Hop
kins, W. S. LindamoOd, W. N. Puck
EFT, J. W. LipseOmb. J. W. Jones
R. o. Brooks, D. F. Baker, J. A.
PerkersOn. G. T. Blackburn and W.
q Wann.hn