A call was sent out yesterday afternoon for a meeting of business and professional men to consider the advisability of forming a Law and Order League for Scotland Neck and vicinity. That it was the proper time for the call was evident by the attendance of more than 30 of the leading business and professional men of the community.
The meeting was called to order in the Directors Room of the Scotland Neck Bank by Mr. N.B. Josey, who presided. Mr. Josey stated that the purpose of the meeting was to discuss law and order. He stated that all knew the conditions existing today and how deplorable they were. He mentioned that 20 years ago Scotland Neck had a reputation second to none as a moral, law abiding town, but that now it was the laughingstock of all, and known far and wide as immoral and extremely lax in the enforcement of any laws. He then nominated Mr. S.A. Dunn as chairman of the meeting, who then took the chair.
Mr. Dunn stated that the significance of the calling of this meeting was that the people of town wanted law enforcement; that every one wanted to see the town as clean and orderly as it could be made and to be known as a town in favor of law and order. He stated that it was no question but that the morals of the town were at a low ebb and needed a strong stimulant and prodding to bring them back to normal. He stated that the purpose of the meeting and the proposed league was to create an interest in law enforcement, to urge the same upon the commissioners and police, to support them and then see that the laws are enforced in every respect.
He stated that he wanted to see the streets cleaned and the town cleaned morally and physically. Thought the time ripe and that he was strongly in favor of the movement. He then called upon Mr. Stuart Smith for an expression.
Mr. Smith stated that he had really come done to listen and not talk, but as he was called upon he could not fail to give his support and approval of the movement. He stated that every lawyer was sworn to up hold the law, and as for that phase he was necessarily in accord, and that he was strongly in favor of enforcement of the law. He stated that courage would be needed to carry it out and enforce through the operation of the law. He claimed that the mere name of the organization was not all that was required to make it succeed, but work and manhood. Unless these two objects were in view might as well not go into it. Saying that “cleanliness was next to godliness,” a town without either was in a deplorable state, and that even street cleanliness would have a certain moral effect on the community. He thought the way to go about the matter was to find out the sources of the causes of this condition, to find out what they were and where, and if enough courage was shown they could be ferreted out and results obtained. He stressed that it would take courage and that in carrying out such a movement as this one would probably be forced to prosecute maybe a best friend and make enemies for life.
Mr. M.A. Huggins was next called. He responded that while this was not actually his town, in that he was here only as superintendent of the school, yet he loved it as his own and was deeply interested in its every phase. Said he had noticed that there were certain influences affecting the older boys at school and that he could not just get at the bottom of it. Said that he knew there was some influence affecting them, and that the source of such should be investigated and removed. That it would require courage to carry such a movement through, and that he was in for it heart and soul.
Mr. J.H. Alexander Jr., being next one to be called, stated that the enforcement of law and order was absolutely up to the individuals of the town and that it depended upon the support which they gave the authorities. He said that all knew that there were certain things which were demoralizing the community and especially a bad influence on the young men of the town. He said the question was strictly up to each individual as to what he as an individual was going to do about it when; “that George was dead and there is no tomorrow.” He insisted that now was the time to do it and that it was up to each man to do his part and not leave it to the other fellow and expect him to do it.
Mr. Ashby Dunn was next called upon for an expression. He stated that it was a difficult proposition to break up gambling and monkey rum traffic unless public sentiment and the sentiment of the majority was behind the movement, and that its success depended entirely upon that sentiment. He used several illustrations, particularly that of shooting squirrels out of season. Said that no effort was made to enforce that law because public sentiment was not behind it. He said that if the heart of the people of the community was not behind this movement it could not be carried out to a success., but if that sentiment could be fostered and brought up to the proper point, it would be a success and that alone would make it a success. He said that if he joined the league to enforce every law of every kind he wanted to know it, and if he did then join the movement he would live up to it, as he believed every one else would.
A number of other speakers were called and expressed opinion and sentiment along the same lines as those quoted. In fact, there seemed to be no difference of opinion in the meeting.
It was then moved by Mr. Ashby Dunn that a law and order league of Scotland Neck be organized ofr the purpose of which shall be to create a strong moral tone in Scotland Neck and to cooperate with the officers of the law in the enforcement law and order, which was seconded by R.L. Hardy and W.H. White.
The following officers were then elected: S.A. Dunn, President; A.L. Purrington, Vice-President; R.A. Phillips, Secretary and Treasurer.
Resolution Committee: N.B. Josey, Stuart Smith, R.L. Hardy, Ashby Dunn, R.F. Coleman.
The Resolution Committee then adopted the following as the purpose of the organization:
“The purpose of this organization shall be to build up a strong moral tone, to cooperate with the officers of the law in maintenance of law and order and to foster a community and civic spirit in Scotland Neck.”
It was decided to have a public meeting next Thursday night at 8 o’clock at the School Building, at which the public is cordially invited and urged to attend. The following were appointed as a committee to arrange for the meeting: M.A. Huggins, C.S. Alexander, A.L. Purrington, and R.F. Coleman.
The following became members of the league at its meeting last night: S.A. Dunn, Stuart Smith, N.S. Smith, G. Hoffman, J.L. Josey, Jas. G. shields, J.B. Edwards, R.L. Hardy, M.A. Huggins, C.S. Alexander, R.F. Coleman, R.C. Josey, W.H. McDowell, C.F. Burroughs, J.A. Kitchin, W.B. Strickland Jr., A.L. Purrington, O.J. Moore, W.H. White, L.M. Pittman, R.P. Byrd, Bernard Allsbrook, R.A. Phillips, Chas. J. Shields, J.H. Alexander Jr., G.C. Weeks, Hugh Johnson, Clee Vaughan.
From The Commonwealth, Scotland Neck, N.C., Tuesday, April 19, 1921. Law and Order Leagues were formed in communities by progressives who opposed lynching and saw better law enforcement as a way of preventing lynchings, but this one was formed to clean up the streets and enforce Prohibition laws against laws against gambling.
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