The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-12-19
.OFFICEHOLDERS
 UNDER SUSP|C|ON;;
 INQUIRY STARTED
Attorney General, With Judge Wilkinson Assisting, Begins Grand Jury Investigation
 of County Officials
By FRED H. GORMLEY Montgomery Bureau, The Age-HeraId 22I-2 First National Bank Building

221-2 First National Bank Building
 Montgomery, December B.-(Special J. Judge B. K. McMorris on Saturday called a special term of the Elmore cir cult court to begin at Wetumpka Tues day morning for an investigation of complaints made against Sheriff John Strength as a result of investigations conducted by Judge Horace C. Wilkin- son of Birmingham.
 Judge Wilkinson was retained by the state as special counsel for the investi- gation of alleged practices of various public officials and his preliminary re- port caused Judge McMorris to issue an order for an immediate session of the circuit court and for the empanelling of a special grand jury
 Names of those composing the grand jury were drawn Saturday and sum mons were placed in the hands of two representatives of the state law en- 1orcement department. Judge Wilkinson, who prosecuted the lynchers in Baldwin county in 1919. went to Wetumpka Sat urday morning and was present when lthe grand jurors were drawn. More than l50 witnesses have been summoned by the state to appear Tuesday and give testi- mony in support of the charges, which have not been made public
 THOROUGH PROBE
 IIdDS TOT d WnOleSdIe lIlNeSllSdllOIl Pl alleged irregular practices of public of Ificials were made before Governor Kilby went to Mexico late in November. The first inquiry was in DeKalb county and was directed al the office of the sheriff. When Judge Wilkinson was ready to make his report the sheriff rendered his resignation. As soon as the Elmore case lis disposed of Judge Wilkinson will take up other cases
 In speaking of the Elmore county mat ter, Judge Wilkinson said:
 There have been numerous complaints made in reference to the sheriff of FL more county, and this investigation will | be conducted for the purpose of aScer- taining the real facts If the evidence warrants it. impeachment charges will be promptly instituted in the supreme court for the removal of the sheriff. If the evidence does not warrant it, the sheriff will be eXonerated.
 This is only one of a few cases that have been referred to me by Governor Kilby and Attorney General J. Q. Smith for investigation. Several sheriffs are under observation, and in each case im- Epeachment proceedings will be instituted as soon as an investigation discloses suf- ficient evidence to sustain such pro- ceedings.
 LAZINESS TABOO
 There seems to be an idea preValllnS among some officers that because thev are not making what they conceive to be sufficient revenue out of their office, they are justified is being lax in the dis charge of their duties. The law recog- nizes no such excuse. So long as the of ificer continues in office he must enforce the law, even at a loss or at expense to himself If the returns are not suffi- cient he has the option of resigning. and resign he should. If he wants to hold of flee and share the honors due a public official he must produce results. This wave of lawlessness must be checked, and the sheriff, in particular is the last man that can be permitted to be lax in the discharge of his duties.
 lowing to the carelessness and indif- ference on the part of some sheriffs, they have apparently ceased to become a ter TOT to law violators in their respectiVs counties The governor says such condi- lions will have to change.
 An investigation of two days in De- Kalb county three weeks ago reVealeJ conditions that should not be tolerated anywhere in this state I was preparing to leave Fort Payne for Montgomery to institute impeachment proceednga against that sheriff when he handed ma his resignation rather than face the sl- preme court
 "Just as fast as my business will per init it. | shall complete the investisa ton in each case assigned to me by the at torney general and take appropriate ac- tion"