The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-09-24
avoidable expense in my zeal to enforce the laws

avoidable expense in my zeal to enforce the laws.
 One impelling reason for my resigna. tion is my unalterable conclusion that there are great many people in this county who do not believe at heart in strict enforcement of the laws. do not feel that, after the vast amount of propaganda that has been spread by bootleggers, cheap underhanded, whispering politicians, whose only idea is one of personal gain, and the influ- ence of this propaganda on honest peo- pie, my efforts would prove of any avail in a continuance of the proper enforcement of the laws. I do not feel that the game of holding public of flee, under conditions like these, is worth the candle, and could not pos sibly earn out of the fruits of the of flee enough to meet the legitimate ex- penSe of this legal undertaking and treat my family with justice. I have two sons in college and I intend to keep them there at all hazards. I have an other son who will soon be ready for college, and it is necessary for me to get into some gainful occupation where by I may give my family the considera- tion they deserve.
 Much has been said about jail con- ditions under my administration and in answer to this I respectfully refer you to the reports of the four grand juries who have held sessions since my incumbency in office. Each of these has contained an excellent report on jail conditions. I have made every effort, consistent with the dilapidated condi- tion of the jail, to give prisoners a clean habitation, and l have always endeavored to give them a satisfactory quantity of clean, well cooked whole some food, such as any human being desires regardless of their condition of servitude.
 My friends have informed me that reports have been circulated to the eff feet that 1 have misapprOpriated pub lice funds. This is a lie out of the whole cloth. The only inspection my books have ever had by the examiners resulted in a report of no irregularities, and I have kept them up to date and 1 am requesting the Governor to send an examiner to check over my entire books
 If 1 had been so constituted, would have been able to make a vast amount of money, at no cost to myself and at no hazard whatever, by giving protection to bootleggers and rum run. ners, who would gladly have paid me large sums for protection. Instead of this, my diligent efforts to rid this county of whisky, in pursuance of my promises to the people before was elected, have made many deadly enc mics among the bootleggers and rum runners, their friends and henchmen who have not at any time failed tO diligently ply their wispering pro paganda, in order to rid themselves of me.
 II trust that my successor will be able to reap some benefit from the groundwork I have laid in my un- fortunate attempts to strictly enforce the law. He has my sympathy and he shall have my continued cooperation in assisting in the prosecution of cases al ready on the docket, and 1 expect tO give every aid necessary and possible to the constituted authorities in the promotion of justice in Walker county
 Il possess feeling of chagrin and modification that, for the reasons above enumerated, I have impellcd to take this step, but at the same time I have feling of good conscience and satis- faction thatI have done my duty where l saw it. and in the manner and to the extent l felt I had obligated myself to the voters of this county when promised strict enforcement of the laws, in prediction days.
 Tn judging my case, 1 am convinced that the general public always believes in ultimate fair play. Everyone of my actions have been purposely greatly magnified by my enemies. while at the same time unwarranted acts have hap pened on the part of officials and citi- zens that have passed unnoticed. I been charged with assisting in the assault of q citizen. while one of my deputies whipped him, and l have been charged with holding the crowd back at the point of pistol This is a lie out of the whole cloth, and it can be easily proven by many reputable citi- zens.
 Why should I have lies sworn on me, while at the same time the pro- bate judge should be allowed to whip peaceful citizen, who came to the court room, on official business, and at the same time no investigation or nc criticism. of his conduct has ever been made and won't be made? Why is that a band of hooded men should be allowed 10 kidnap an immature boy, and carry him before the probate judge, in the dead hours of the night. and force him to marry, and not n single one of them