Americus times-recorder., 1919-11-24
UP TO PEOPLE
.TOUPHOLDLAW.
GRAND JURY IS
TOLD BY COURT
Crime Wave No Cause
For Alarm, He Assures,
However


''If there is an apparent wave of
crime in Sumter county there is no
need to be alarmed. 1t is little em-
barrassing to listen to the remarks
that are made, especially from the
outside, but the condition is not
really alarming, and it is something
that is liable to happen to every
county"
These were the remarks of Judge
Littlejohn, of the Sumter Superior
court, as prepared to bringing his
charge to the fall grand jury, which
convened this morning, to a close.
''In other counties with which |
am familiar, and in one of which /
recently held two-weeks term of
court when | had expected one week
to suffice, this crime condition has
flowed directly from violations Of the
prohibition law" Judge Littlejohn
continued. "And in these viola
tions the lard can still has played a
big part.
1.-The other day in another county
I was conversing with man and he
CHANGED to remark: 1T seems like
OLD Nick is in charge in your coun-
ty.' | told that man that / expected
to be back in Sumter in two weeks
holding court and expected to have
a grand jury whose work, if Old Nick
Lad got in charge, would quickly de-
throne him.
Up To Public and Juries.
"There need be no special alarm
about this so-ca.led wave of crime if
we can get the people to enforce the
law. 1t il matter that is entirely
up to the juries. Under our form of
government men are indicted and
tried only in the counties in which
the crime las been committed. This
means that law enforcement is
matter absolutely up to the people
themselves. Whenever the public be-
comes aroused to crime and decides
it must be suppressed they do it and
do it right. IN Sumter county we
have citizenship that am sure will
net countenance the continuation Of
crime"
Earlier in his charge Judge Little
john took up specifically the subject
of enforcement Of the prohibition law,
as he is required to do under the
law
eve are all aware that there is
some differences of opinion on the
prohibition subject held by good citi-
Gems. But | will say that never saw
man who stood for law and order
and for right living who was unalter-
ably opposed to the enforcement OF
the prohibition law Boiled down, the
Georgia law prohibits the manufac-
ture, sale or possession of alcoholic
beverages. This law, drastic as it it,
was developed only as those who OPP
posed enforcement of the law forced
it's development. We are seeing some
of the effects of violation of the pro-
hibition law all around us, and the
= people are going TO stop it. And
when they do stop it they will stop
great many of the offenses that now
find their way into our courts.
How Jurors Hinder.
81 have been greatly embarrassed
> recently in dealing with cases of this
kind. Coming down off the bench at
= the close of trial, | have been told
by laymen that there would never
be a conviction in thise case because
certain juror or jurors would never
find a verdict against man for viola
ton of the prohibition law. And this
in face of the fact that he had taken
an oath as to his impartial mind as
I between the state and the accused.
And / am sorry to admit that what
Y was told me has proved to be true.
n And it has happened in more than
one instance | want to say that as
It long as this condition exists We will
o have violations of the prohibition
n law"
r. The grand jury organized with
IT Prof. J. E. Mathis as foreman, and
: Judge Littlejohn began his charge as
it soon as the body was sworn by the
solicitor general.
"The action of the grand juries,"
Judge Littlejohn began, Every large
ly fixes the moral standard of the
s county, so far as the enforcement of
the laws is concerned, I wish to call
" to your attention first the gaming
It law, which the code says must pre-
,e sent to you. This law should be Wig
II orously enforced. The law requires
10 me to call to your attention a NUM-
q ber of misdemeanof crime. of which
Is this is one. The reason Tor this IS
d that there Is almost nsrcr roseSa-
ttgort.aued Oh Page Eight