The times-news. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1927-current, 1933-07-06
DO WE WANT THE LAWS ENFORCED?


The interview given The Times-News by
ESQUIRE w. L. Miller in regard to stealing
in Henderson county and this newspapers
comment on the same has aroused num-
her of citizens, who have spoken to Squire
Miller and The Times-News on the subject.
Nothing but approval has been heard OF
the suggestion that good citizens should
take concerted action to bring about a
change in conditions in the county. Mr..
Miller has pointed out some of the diff
culties connected with the enforcement of
the law against stealing and it is his sug-
gestion that the county be organized in a
systematic way, with all good citizens
banded together to cooperate with the law
enforcement officers in running down and
furnishing thieves and other law breakers.
The Times-News has this suggestion to
make for the organization of the laW-oD-
serving citizens, of the county for enforce
ment: A mass meeting should be called in
each precinct and an executive committee
of three citizens elected. This executive
committee should appoint secret commit
tee, known only to the executive commit
tee, to work with the officers and precinct
organization for law enforcement. The
precinct mass meetings should also elect
a member of a countrywide executive COM
mittee to formally head the county organ-
ization. .+.. g..
If this movement is undertaken it must
be non-partisan movement. Law enforce
ment is not partisan, or party problem. 1t
is at present one of the chief concerns OF
all the people. Good citizens of both po-
litieal parties are interested in law en-
forcement; and The Times-News believes
that they are going to be thoroughly
aroused, throughout the county; on this
subject within the next few months. Con-
ditions in the town and county are far from
satisfactory. This statement applies to en-
forcement of a number of criminal laws.
and is not confined to dissatisfaction with
the enforcement of the law against steal
ing. -+
A citizen of Henderson county who is
certainly in position to know what ne is
talking about made the statement to The
Times-News that, in his opinion, there has
never been a time in the history of Hem
derSOn county when there was so little Sc
curity for life and property as at present.
This citizen says that the spirit of lawless-
ness permeates the county; that it is grow
ing rapidly; that there is open and flag
rant opposition to the enforcement of the
laws, and, that this OPPOSITION is not con-
fined to the so-ealled unpopular laws, such
as the prohibition law.
The Times-NewS believes that in a large
measure the. estimate of this citizen is cor
rect, It is a dangerous condition and one
that must be corrected promptly and. it
must be done by the rigid enforcement of
all the criminal statutes of North Carolina
in the territory of Henderson county.
Now, there is one other matter The
Times-News desires to bring to the atten-
ton of the people of the county: That is
that a campaign for law enforcement in
Henderson county cannot succeed without
the backing of all good citizens. 1t cannot
be made a success by the advocacy of
Esquire w. l.. Miller alone or the efforts
of Squire Miller and The Times-News.
This newspaper stands ready to Coop
crate with the law-observing citizens of
the county in this movement, but The