Morning journal and courier., 1893-12-19

good, to share In the risk. It is
fair law. Inquiry, however, reveals the
fact that for several years past no bonds
In this county have been called In "a re-
quired by this law. cannot say whether
similar neglect has occurred in other conn
ties. lmake no complaint of the insction
Of county treasurers in this matter, for it
is to be presumed that their attention has
not been called to this statute and its man
datory character. But there stands the
law, and II q county treasurer, his atten-
ton being called to 1t. should fail to pro-
coed as the law requires, 1 presume q
mandamus could be made to fit his case.
These convictions for Illegal sales are a
matter of record in the courts; and the
large amount of moneys legally for
feited for years back is as legal
~ due the state to-day as any
back taxes are q claim upon property. You
moneys had been collected, as they should
be collected, enough would have come from
this source into the treasury to make sev-
eral miles of good country roads, and even
If some OF it could fall to the city, to rem
der our worthy mayor q little less troubled
at night In his dreams about the city hall
going into the hands of q receiver. would
not be hard on innocent men who in past
years may have ignorantly given liquor
bonds thinking they amounted to nothing;
but If any person is now on the bonds of
any man or woman who is selling Illegally,
the treasurer of the county is commanded
necticut Law and Order league Is orgsni7-
of existing laws.
I turn next for Q moment to the reepon-
sibility of the police department in the en-
forcement of laws relating to public morals.
I have no word of hasty criticism to make
of our police force. There is one fact,
however, which the public should keep
always in mind, namely, the responsibility
for the efficiency of this department in the
wise execution of the laws against Illicit
liquor-selling, gambling and vice, lies at
the door of the police commission. The
stream cannot rise above it's fountain; and
neither the policeman on his beat. nor the
captains of precincts, nor the chief, can be
justly expected to accomplish more than
the commissioners of police really mean
that they shall accomplish. No man
should ever be appointed to that
Office of grave responsibility who
has any business associations by
which he might be exposed to the ap-
prosch of men who make Illicit and i'm
moral gains; and it might be well if no po-
lice commissioner could be eligible by law,
term, to the Office of mayor. 1 would speak
with due respect of the gentlemen who
now direct the workings of our police de-
psrtment. I have no specific criticism
now to make and do not know what good
works they may be devising; may not
fully appreciate the peculiar trials of their
position. But when certain criminal
lawyer in q case of prosecution for viola
ton of q law for the protection of public
morals remarks with more emphasis than
I care to repeat that if he could find out
what policeman brought the complaint
he would make it hot for him,
the bystander may be excused from
wondering from what particular door
in the whole range of the department
he 80 confidently counted on bringing the
live Goals to make 1t hot for policeman
who did his duty. Section 267 Of the city
ordinances expressly enjoins that it shall
be the duty of the board of police commits
sioners "to encourage and sustain every
police officer in the faithful discharge of
his duty" And confidently appealing to
the honorable board, who would be the
last, I presume, to disclaim their reeponsi-
bility for the moral efficiency of the police
department, we ask them in behalf of the
poverty and misery of the city. as we'll as
Its virtue and happiness. and for their own
good record besides, to see to 1t that the
laws AGAINST selling liquors to
to prevent the Sabbath equander-
ing of the weeks wage, as we'll as the
statutes against policy playing and all
forms of gambling and too open and de-
FAINT vice are executed this winter in this
city as they have not been for long time
psst. We say to this board, Gentlemen,
we make no hesty complaints, but be as
sured this town wants from your superior
authority some good, clean lightning right
off I hold in reserve for the present vari-
GUS other facts and phases Of our city life
with regard to which I have made some
| investigations: but there Is one further
welfare which I viii not leave unmen-
toned. refer to the manner in which the
illegitimate business of the town black
lists the legitimate business of 1t. KeeI
| quiet and you can have our custom; speak
out and your firm goes upon the black.
list. It should be understood that any
profits made by letting an illicit interest
alone and retaining it's patronage is &c
much blackmail received. 1t Is hush-money
paid by the illegal to the legitimate bust
ness of the community. I will not take
| your time by relating specific instances OF
this which l have in evidence. The evil
| thing is not alone that the saloon domi
mates local politics; 1t is not merely that II
has power at more than one point tc
block the execution Of salutary laws
a worse evil is Detailing us, in that tho {
who make unholy gains out of the weak
nesses and sins of men and women are
blacklisting through and through, and
blackmailing, the whole business of the
community. Do you want proofa hold
in my hand one documentary proof. In 6
neighboring city list of names Of men
who belonged to law and order league
was suffered to get into the papers. We
shall not do that here; We shall take con-
tributions from friends. That list of good
names was placsrdsd in the saloons. One
man, pity his craven soul, begged off.
read this letter restoring him to the grace
| of the blacknailers of that town, sup.
pressing only his name in merciful con.
| tempt:
Dear sir: Please erase from your card
the name of ----, az have written
statement from the secretary of the Citi.
zsns' Law and Order league saying that he
| is not member of that organization, his
name having besn printed by mistake.
Instead of Withdrawing our patronage
from him can cheerfully recommend him
| to all. Yours.