Americus times-recorder., 1919-12-23
WHO'LL HELP THE SHERIFF?


WHO'LL HELP THE SHERIFF?
A new step forward in the enforcement of the
prohibition laws both state and national seems to
hsVe been taken in Sumter county In fact Sum
yer appears suddenly to have taken the lead in Law
enforcement or efforts for law enforcement in
Georgia.
On the first page of this edition of The Times
Recorder is reproduced a signed statement by
Sheriff Harvey challenging the sincerity of the citi-
zenship of Sumter county. 1t is manifestly impos-
sble for him and his limited force of capable depu-
ties to police and spy on all of Sumter county in
addition to performing their many other necessary
duties. But with the genuine cooperation of the
public, they will be able, supported by the courts,
to strike terror to the heart of the blind tiger and
making moonshining the most unpopular pastime
ever practiced in Georgia.
Whenever enough people of Sumter count
make up their minds that the moonshiner must go
he'll go and go quickly. There is no question
about it. 1t lies easily within the power of the
people themselves They have the machinery of
law now and they have the officers. 1t is not neces-
revenuers to raid these offenders who are break
lating any federal statute.
Some planters profess to hold the belief that
it is necessary to wink the making of WHISKY L
tenants in order to keep tenants and farm hauds
from leaving them. Other planters declare th;s
to be either mistaken idea as it is undoubtedly on
the part of some honest men, or a deliberate m
statement of condition. A prominent planter OF
this section, who, however does not live in Sum
ter county, discussing this phase of the Houo,
menace recently.
When the white landlord gets ready to stor
the making of liquor there will be no more liquor
was the substance of his conclusion. Il own con
siderable land and have number of tenants.
put every of them on notice from the start tina
anyone caught making liquor on my place will hav,
to leave instantly. But do not stop there | tel
them further that don't want to hear of any liquo
making going on, and that if such reports come tt
two three times enough to indicate to M
that there is something doing, I'm not going t.
wait to prove it. but that tenant will have to leave
They all understand it and don't have any troubl
with moonshine my place. And have no trou
bic getting and keeping good tenants"
That moonshinings can be made unpopula
is proven by the innovation of Judge Lttlejohn a
the recent session of the Superior court in sending
offenders to the chain gang without the alternativ,
of fines This alone is declared to have resulted il
stump liquor taking suddenly to cover and to bt
more difficult to obtain hereabouts just now thar
at any time since the enactment of the rigid pro
hibtion laws.
No doubt many good people who gladly
would have co-operated with the sheriff in run
ming down liquor violators in the past have hesitat
ed to do so, not knowing whether their effort
would be appreciated or we'll received. But tn
invitation of the sheriff for cooperation shoult
doubt in the mind of any persons as t,
whether his assistance in uprooting this source O
murder and other forms of crime will be wei
coined.
Those citizens who stand for law and orde
are to be congratulated upon having in office
sheriff with courage and conviction sufficient t.
cause him to declare himself openly for suppression
OF this serious evil and call upon all citizens
aid him in running down and breaking up. this in
iquitous traffic