New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-06-29
THE ENFORCEMENT or LAW.


There may be honest differences of opinion as
TO the necessity or the desirability OF laws Tor
the suppression of the liquor traffic on sunday.
1t may be maintained, on the one hand, that they
are both necessary and desirable; first, upon Inc
purely economic ground that for one day in seven
there should be rest and cessation from labor
and business: second upon considerations OF pup
lie morals and social order the tendency or me
liuuor traffic being in the direction of immortality
and the disturbance Of the peace and third, upon
religious grounds-that ii is a violation Of the
Christian Sabbath. or these the strongest argl-
men, is the one first named its force being recog-
nizcl. the others need not be considered. III not
admitted. appeal to the others would be fruit
loss IN tbe other hand. it may he maintained
that III, use of stimulants, and particularly OF
mali iouors and the less fiery beverages Is so
,rivcrsaI and tho craving for them different
in character from other appctites or the ordinary
hunger for food, that the traffic i'll them Is an
execution to all other trades occupations ana
pursuits: that while considerations OF various
sorts make the suspension OF other industries
for one day in seven necessary ana desirapre'
this particular pursuit stands alone IN the heces-
sty for its being constant and continuous for all
hours Of the day and all days in the year. we
are not about to weigh these arguments or en''r
into their detail That is not pertinent To our
nrescnt purpose. nor does il relate TO the merits
If tho ouestion which has been raised concerning
,be action of the Police Board relative 10 the
enforcement of the Excise laws.
That question is not at all whether the laws on
This subject are necessary, desirable or wise 1t
is simply whether officials appointed for the pur-
yo,, tint feet and RESPONSIBLE
for their enforcement may at their discretion
select from the statutes such laws as they deehi
necessary and proper to enforce, and such as in
their Judgment may properly be consmereu nun
| and Of no effect and contcmptuously disregard
| ed This is what the contention OF various 'hui'
viduals and organizations. who have taken mp
| the agitation of the Sunday law in opposition 10
| It's enforcement. resolves itself Into when SUD
| iected TO the test Of examination. The com
paint is that the law is enforced, ana mat 'he
| enforcement interferes with the pleasure ana 'he
| comfort Of large classes Of citizens Consequent
" il should be openly dsregardcd and violated
with absolute IMMUNITY The Mayor, we are
| told. having heretofore announced himself as III
| favor Of more liberal Sunday law. Is To DE
| called upon by delegates representing. IL ~ sald
| 100000 citizens and seriously asked TO "cali OH
| the Police Commission from its declared purpose
10 REQUIRE from all citizens the observance OF al
laws. This means Of course. nothing less 'hal
| tho ossumption Of power on his part, and Tie
| ACCENT ON the part Of the Police Commission. Il
| nullify a statute law of the state. DO 'heS'
| gentlemen fully realize the meaning ana siSnlh
canoe Of their action? Do they mean to say iha'
the Mayor or any other elected or appointed OH
| cial may discriminate as to what laws shai ID
enforced and what laws may be dsregard"d!
The suggestion itself fairly illustrates the dc
| moralzation Of public sentiment growing out o.
| wears Of lawlessncss and misruic III winch we
have had lawbrcakers for lawmakers ana III
| associates Of criminals and abettors OF erin" Il
| arrest offenders and administer jus'ic" lndc
that system We have seen rank pcrJurcrs go uh
| puuished and unmolcsted, as II there were III
law against false swearing. and other Offences
against law ana order and the public peace com
mitted without the slightest danger Of arrest o
fear Of consequences The long continuance o
This condition OF affairs has had the effect to III
settle the minds Of many as to the meaning AM
effect of statute laws. so that now we have IN
strange spectacle presented Of delegations repre-
scnting. as they say. 100000 citizens deliberate
" requesting the Mayor TO interfere with tn
| action Of the Police Commission in order that
law which puts them TO some Inconvenience o
interferes with their pleasures may be rcattt
with contempt and openly violated. There is. o
course. but one answer 10 be made, and that
that all laws must be obcycd and none may b
violated with impunty. and that neither III
Mayor nor any other official can make any dl,
| elimination In the matter without grossly vic
lating law himself and inviting the censure am
contempt Of all law-abdng citizens