The Brunswick news. [volume] (Brunswick, Ga.) 1906-2016, 1922-07-30
j. {. MERCER ON LAW ENFORCE
MENT.
Editor. The News.
Brunswick. Ga.


ment of law, especially in the obser-
vance of the prohibition laws, seem
mot to understand that neither Federal
officers, nor local officers, are mind
Ireaders and that there is no detective
or spy system available for every com
munity and every report of violation
OF the law 1t is not the practice nor
is it practicable for the officers OF the
law, especially the Federal officers, to
discover violations that occur con
stantly in all parts of the state
Sometimes an officer detects a crime
and discovers unaided a still or blind
tiger or a bootlegger's cache, but in
ninety per cent of the cases the infor-
nation is furnished by interested local
people. There are thousands of them
TO every officer and it is easier for a
private citizen to get information than
it is for an officer of the law, unless
the officer is in league with the evil
doers.
Let me say to your readers: There
are no mind readers employed in the
state or by the Federal government, no
miracle workers, and if an officer finds
a still and detects other crime, it is
done On information furnished by peo-
pie VINO happen TO know the facts ard
l,O i.,cr 10 bn inf ,,
ton to the officers; that can be done
either direct or through the office OF
the Georgia League or other agencies
actively interested in the enforcement
of the law. There seems to be gen
Gral impression that the government
may send several men into commun
ity to work several days as detectives
to secure evidence Of violations of the
law. II would bankrupt the country to
lido that 1t is much harder for the
officer, even if one should be detailed
10 your community to secure facts
than it would be- for a private citizen
to discover the facts, and it is bind
ing on your honor and pressing on
your interests to assist the officers in
experimenting breakers i'll backing
courts and juries in conyicting these
who resort to this means for making
money or their liviL while you and
Iall good citizens are devoting your
selves to usewul employment.
N a republic like this, the people
are sovereign; there is no higher au
thority than you and your neighbol
and you cannot escape the responsi
f,bility you owe to your government
Livery officer is entitled to your sin
IS ere supDor;, ana every law breaker
sAhould understand that you are not il
/ sympathy with him and his program.
If the press of the state will under
take to inform the PUBLIC OF the ne
/ cessity, first OF local interest. and o
the Importance of furnishing informa
ton of lawlessness to the law officers
we should. be able to do much NOR
chan has been done in the past to dis
FcoGrage the Iawbreaker. 1t i i simpl
! process after the laW-abiding cltizel
in his community understands tina
he is responsible and thta he must b.
willing to do something of a definite
nature if the spirit of laWlessness il
TO be overcome and safe condition
established. 1t is an easy matter t.
Surnish definite information to th'
law officers, and perfectly safe if tn
information is furnished federal Off
Ter or furnished to this Office of tn
Georgia League.
While no good citizen should fea
to have his name mentioned in cou
nection with any movement for SUI
pressing crime and discouraging Grim
. mails. it is true most of them prefe
not to so expose themselves, and 70
that reason we are very careful no
to say or do anything that will disclOs
. to the outlaw the identity OF the il
. lCl IlGl. l1lOl HidllDil Luz llIoAICu
, be of a definite nature. 1t is not suf
ciant to say that they are selling whis
vey in "a certain community or maxim
whiskey Gil a certain creek or in cel
tain county. You can certainly sa
= how many miles north, south, east, Q
west of the court house or the churc
. or some other land mark, and Civ
ri names even if you fail to give you
; own.
The Georgia League is anxious
( be Of definite service in every COT
Of the state. We constantly receiv
and furnish information that is va
; liable to the officers and have contri
l uted to the cleaning upkof some vel
ugly situations. The people who wal
the law enforced in their communit
or county should not hesitate to ca
. on us.
! JESSE E. MERCER, Secretary.
| Atlanta, July q, fd22~