"We didn't write them up because of the feelings of their families."
"You gave a column to 'Slim's' arrest and conviction. I understand that 'Slim' has a wife and three children. Doubtless the members of 'Slim's' family have feelings the same as the members of the families of these business men."
"If I had mentioned these men by name and they had objected, I couldn't have shown by the court records that they were charged with poker playing."
"Springer, you know that it wouldn't be hard to prove their identity. The police who made the arrest can give the names of every one of them. It was a shame and a disgrace that they were permitted to enter fictitious names on the record and forfeit small cash bonds. I tell you, Springer, that sort of a farce is making Bolsheviks. 'Slim' couldn't be made to believe that the laws are being impartially enforced, and they are not. It is just such partiality as this that makes the Klan necessary."
"What, you a judge and in favor of that lawless organization?"
"The Klan I am in favor of is not lawless. It is an organization that insists on the impartial enforcement of the law. In no instance would I be a member of an organization that takes the law into its own hands. I can see how an organization of the best citizens, who will co-operate with the officers by serving as private detectives and turning all information over to the officials, can be of great benefit. Furthermore, the Klan I am for is an organization that insists that the officers do their duty and supports them in the performance of it; and demands that the officer who won't do his duty get out. If we can have a Klan like that here, I am for it."
"I must be going, judge," said Springer, and the conversation was brought to a close.
Chapter VIII
The Reverend Earl Benton, pastor of the Methodist Church of Wilford Springs, took an active interest in the Klan. He made several speeches on Americanism and had publicly stated that he was a member of the Klan.