The Lexington advertiser. [volume] (Lexington, Miss.) 1904-1985, 1947-05-15

HAZEL
EYES
BY Hdzei Brunnon

The tide has very slowly begun to
turn.
An informed aroused citizenship
is beginning to assert itself and de-
demand what every citizen has the
right to expect -. good law-enforce-
ment.
Last week a group of citizens of
Pickens called upon the Sheriff to
accompany them to various road
side joints which have long been re-
garded as nuisances by the people
of Pickens- This group told the
persons who operating these
places that they were not wanted;
that the people of Pickens wanted
them to close and remain close. The
visit was reported friendly" but
Firm"
This week a group Of citizens from
Durant, Pickens and Goodman orga-
nized a Holmes County Law-Enfor-
cement League. This organization
was made at the Durant School Tue
sday night. Marvin Mcclellan, OF Du-
rant, was elected to serve as chair
man of the League with Mrs. Walter
Durham as secretary.
The announced purpose of this
League is to rid our towns and Hol-
mes County of prevailing lawless-
ness; specifically to rid u county
of numerous roadside whiskey and
gambling joints.
Any Holmes County citizen inte-
rested in this objective is asked and
invited to join. The next meeting
will be held next Tuesday evening,
May goth. at eight o'clock, at the
Durant School auditorium. Sheriff
Murtagh will be asked to be present
at the meeting Tuesday.
There is one thing certain. II there
are enough men and women in Q
mes County who really want these
joints ~padlocked they a be pad
locked. An outraged citizenry can
accomplish just exactly what it
want to accomplish,
Our people are slow to act, perhaps
But once they make their minds up
they can accomplish wonders be-
lieve il or not.
1t has been brought to u atten-
ton that conditions in Holmes Coun-
ty should be Somewhat improved
The reason for this, so u inform
ant saws, is that the last Grand Jury
(the n which met in ApriD inst
ructed the Sheriff to tell the road
house operators that they must re-
spect Sabbath that is, close at
midnirht Saturday night and remain
sacIosed until Monday Inornfng.
Such instructions must have been
given the Joints from someone In au-
thority for most of them over the
county have been doing just that.
closing at midnight Saturday n re-
manning closed until Monday.
All of them around Durant are
understood to be observing the clos
ing rules except one which was
still open at two o'clock SUNDAY
morning. -
The intention of the past Grand
Jury in issuing these instructions
TO the Sheriff were probably GOOD
but ridiculous.
If the Sheriff can close these fpla
ces from midnight Saturday untli
Mondav then he IAN close them for
good. :, -
The only way it will be done, now
ever. is for enough people OF Holmes
County to tell the Sheriff they Wah'
It lone or demand his reslgna-
ton.
We have also been informed that
al least two of the former Rankin
County operators of hot spots nave
come to Holmes County to reside.
They were run out of Rankin Coun-
ty and probably have been led 10
believe they are welcome IN holmes
County as if we don't have e.
nough of our own with which 70
contend.
Holmes County went over the top
in its usual fine fashion in Ia can
Ger drive. We raised $1587,28 with a
quota or $4,000.
Mrs. w. D. Wilson, of Lexington
and her various chairmen through
out the county deserve most OF the
credit for this splendid work.
Miss Jean McRae was the very
capable chairman in Lexington,
where S57537 was raised.
Mrs. Henry Mckenzie headed the
drive in Durant which Melted S342.
80.
Other communities throughout the
county also responded in a fine way
to support this work which is so I'M
portant.