The times-news. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1927-current, 1934-05-19
SOLICITOR SHEPPARD DISCUSSES
A COUNTY PROBLEM -. !.

.. A COUNTY FNO6LEM s,--:--
Solicitor W. r. Sheppard's address to
the Kiwanis Club, Thursday afternoon,
published in full in Fridays Times-NeWs,
is delverance that should have the care
full reading and consideration of every
good citizen of the county. The Solicitors
statements in that address are founded on
the bedrock of facts, figures and persona!
experience. He quotes from the records OF
the Recorders Court of Henderson county,
and from the statistics of the criminal
courts of North Carolina, to prove his case
As to law violation in the county in COM
parison with the State as a whole. .,
The figures from the office OF the North
Carolina Attorney General show that law
lessress in Henderson county is above the
average for the State and that it is approx
imately ten times as great as in Stanly
county, which leads the State in law OBJ
servance. That is not a record any good
citizen of Henderson county can be proud
of, but it is a record that stands until this
county improves its position in law observ-
anee and reduces law violations. l...
Solicitor Sheppard, in his address, point
ed out some of the difficulties in the way
of law enforcement. These are not peculiar
to Henderson county, but exist throughout
the State. That fact does not make them
more or less of problem here, however.
In addition to defects in court procedure
most of these difficulties could be over
come by the changing of the attitude OF
good citizens to court proceedings and law
enforcement. The Solicitor MAKES existing
conditions clear. Many good citizens 30 90
not want to be burdened with or disturbed
by the problems of crime and law enforce
ment. When it becomes necessary Tor
them to take individual action to aid in
the enforcement of the laws, they make
all possible efforts to escape that duty.
It is clear, as stated by Solicitor Shop
pard, that to have effective law enforce
ment, we must fill law enforcement offices
with intelligent, courageous men of the
highest character, with the will and de-
termination to fight fawlessness and bring
criminals to justice. These officers must
have the cooperation and backing of good
citizens, who must not fail in doing their
duty when it becomes necessary for them
to furnish evidence or otherwise aid in law
enforcement.
With the right kind of officers and the
right kind of citizens combining to stamp
out lawlessness, progress is certain. Viola
tons of the laws will not cease altogether,
but will be decreased by the honest coop
Grafton and efforts of efficient officers and
citizens who are earnestly interested in
this matter.
Solicitor Sheppard did not attempt, and
The Times-News does not attempt, to cite
reasons for the record IN law observance
which has been established by Henderson
county. The Solicitor cited the facts and
figures to prove his. case. If Henderson is
ten times as lawless as StanFy county, no
matter what the reasons for this condition,
there is great room for Improvement here
If all but a fraction of the people of Stan1y
county can obey the laws of North Caro-
Una, the people of anderson can do as
well-if the right course is taken to attain
that end. What's the matter with Hender,
son? Each citizen can answer the question
for himself
=, Perhaps the greatest need here is that
law abiding citizens, who compose ar
overwhelming majority Of the population
take more earnest and inteligentiy direct
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