Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1894-11-22
TOO NASTY ANGER


There have been many Instances IN
the history OF municipalities iu this
country when tue lelhatgy Of onloial.
IN enforcing city ordinances has 20.
qulfed prompt and vigorous action on
the part u CitlEsns, irrespective Of
creed or party, Ia order 70 secure
competent adminittfniIon Of hnaifs.
A case Of this kind IL shown Ia the
recent experience Of Chicago, where a
combination OF citizBns, known "a the
civic Federation, proved a necessity in
accomplishing municipal reform. On
this particular occasion, however, the
oitizens' committee referred to seems
10 have become possessed Of M ca.
tromo idea Of liz Importance aud
power, aud has performed an act that
robs II OF much OF ~ diguity and the
esteem In which It was held while II
conducted atfairs on a conservative yet
vigorous basis.
Less than three months ago the fed.
Grafton began ~ crusade against the
gambling evil which had grown 10
slupendoun proportions Ia Chicago.
The city authorities had shown an
Unlawful tolerance toward the wrong,
and there had been apparent an Uilioial
determination not TO Interfere with the
gambling fraternity Ia their netarious
calling. IL was announced by the
Civic Federation that "a condition
shocking " civilization cxisted-.that
Of tho oiiluofa anl appolutees selected
and paid by the people TO execute auu
administer tho laws constituting the
chiei obstacle 20 their oniotcrmrnl,and
even thcmtclves IN many instances
dtriving personal or political
revenue from the protected
otirndos; tho interest of the
criminal and vicious clatsrs
seemed TO dominate and control 20 a
great extent both the execution AMI
administration Of the laws nnd ordi.
nauces concerning gambling" Undor
this state OF affairs tho federation
called meeting at which Cily A..
torney Rubons, voioiug ths intentions
Of the mayor John T.. Hopkins, de-
clared that while MIR. Hopkins sto0d
AT the head Of the municipality public
gambling houses would remain closed.
Following this came PROCLAMATION
from the mayor, and the Objectionable
houses shut their doors. Then when
efforts were made to reopen them, they
had to meet the weight Of an official
crusade vigorously puuued.
This week there has beon another
development In the proceedings which.
a. the matter now stands, places
the Civic Federation IA The posi.
ton u proceeding upon unsub.
stantinted assertions and " having
acted hastily and lmpIuIenuy ia
launching a csusIio criticism Of the
mayor's conduct The federation sent
a communication to Mr. Hopkins, t..
citing that on his proclamation anu
the official energy which followed %,
the gambling houses were suppressed
Tor a tins, hut that recently all Of
,hem opened at the old stands, with
many new ones In other localities
while the assertion was made that "a,
tho time OF writing there were "hug,
drris OF them now wide open" Then
followed the charge Of lavE Of good
faith against Mayor H1pkln., aul
other accusstlons oouohed In very
sovcrs language. 70 this the mayor
vouchsufad d reply which placed at
ls,up every allegation Of the federation
TO the eject that th0rs had been any
leuioucy shown Of late u thg
gamblers. Ha called for the
proof " single instance where
gambling was ueing conducted openly
as asserted Doe also Insisted Ihat II hal
been suppressed and was being KEEP,
town as lar as piliUial power could ac'
complish II under tho circumstances,
auJ pointed OUT that spirit Of fairness
sud consistency would have suggested
/ that HuOh SERIOUS charges should uot