Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1888-02-02
CITIZENS LETTER.

council by petition OF citizens is entire
ly untrue. Any person who has read
same cannot fail to recollect that petit
ton was couched in respectful terms.
The citizens who signed the petition as
well as its author, could not and did not
believe that council had any knowledge
of facts stated in petition, and the
chief object was to call their attention
to the circumstances.
But Veritas makes assertion that if
many of the reputable citizens had
known the import and effect of the Pc
tition, namely, that it would call forth
discussion and examination of tile
subject matter of liquor dealers plying
their business openly without paying
the lawful tax and some of them none
at all, they would not have signed it.
Veritas, this may be so, but the public
would like to have some Of those re-
putable citizens referred to make
known such. above their signature.
There is no one who blames the
council for not collecting the tax from
the delinquent whisky dealers, but
every good citizen would expect the
council to put their brand of displeas-
ure upon officials whose duty it is to
see that the law is not violated, and
who will not perform that duty. Veri-
tas asserts that there are but two per-
sons within leaves of statute who are
charged with the duty of inforcing the
law;--viz, the supervisors of townships
and assessors Of villages. Veritas. you
are wholly mistaken, they are only re-
quired to make reports of parties doing
business to county treasurer. But il
Veritas will examine the Session laws.
1887, act No. 3l3. he will find that under
the latest legislation, the marshal of
villages is required to close saloons and
those places up, the owners of which
have not complied with the law. But
reputable citizens are warned not to
sign any more petitions until effect and
import are known. Perhaps Veritas
desires them to consult him--but where
would they find him? There are but
few citizens who do not know, and
many would not enter.
Veritas next tones up and calls those
who dare openly express their opinions
about the gross injustice and wrong,
OH part of village officials, in failing
and ignoring their duty, narrow-mind-
ed, big mouthed and intellectual abor-
! tons, who know no better than speak
vulgar things about the sovereign rulers
of our village. Veritas, it may he said
many of those narrow-minded and big
mouthed people believe you, Veritas,
have some weakness CT your own, that
would not compare favorably with the
lowest of them. But Veritas says he
wants both sides fairly represented.
Now, Veritas, is it fair representa-
ton of the subject to call citizens bad
names? Why don't you express an
opinion as to collection of this tax and
put yourself upon the record? This is
a public matter. suppose silence will
not offend your associates, nor commit
yourself to enforcing the law. Veritas
it is unfortunate that cooperation OF
reputable citizens has been secured t.
the side of right and justice. Good
citizens are not combined to rule vii
lagos to their ruin, they only demand
that liqnor dealers pay their tax like
other citizens. and all the varnish OF
cess pool stuff you can fling from YOU
pen. will fail to close their eyes to thu
situation. The battle line is drawn be
tween the citizens and the whisky ring
and their official abettors. Which vii
prevail is q question Of time.
J, Veritas claims the motive of autho
of petition was not to cure public evi
as he has never been noted for re
former. Whether or not citizens mo
tive was good or bad, or whether re
former or not, citizen don't play double
He isn't common gambler in low
dives and Sundays 2 white-washet
church goer,
Veritas evinces his and his associate
, uneasiness. Next village election is il
his vision. lie and they see the hand
writing OH the wall and hear the con
|; domination of outraged citizens. Thi
tax was collected last year under a Law
: far less favorable to enforce than tn
present law, Session laws 1880 and tn
plain common sense of the citizens vii
not approve of any course but one, col
lectthe tax. This is the business entrust
ed to the village officers. and its execu
ton will be required. Neither impu
dence, cheek, abuse or calling citizen
: big-mouthed vulgarities, will take tn
place of the collection of tax or reliev
officials of the just censure of thei
, fellow-citiZens. CITIZEN.
P. 7. Barnum's Own Gift.