The Frankfort roundabout. [volume] (Frankfort, Ky.) 1882-1908, 1899-04-08

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While we might have some new
laws that would aid in reform, there
are laws upon the Kentucky statute
books at present the enforcement of
which will keep all our workers busy
for time at least.
The trouble is not that we have no
good laws, but that the la ws wehave
are not enforced, and that we ar enOt
electing to Office the class of men who
will see that the laws we have are
enforced. Take the Kentucky stat ute
and look over the laws relating to
the saloon, to gambling, to Sunday
dissertation, etc., you will be sur
prised at the many GOOD laws on
these subjects, and yet you never
hear of them in our courts. Why?
Simply because the citizens do not
demand their enforcement. This
they can do, first by putting men in
Office upon whom the public can de-
pend; second by seeing themselves
that evidence of wrong doing is car
ried to the right place.
Whose business is ii to bring to the
proper judge or jury the eviden' e
mentioned above? You cannot de-
pend on the officers of the Circuit,
County and Magisterial courts. They
say they are officers simply to carry
out the orders Of the courts and not
to bring guilty parties to justice.
They say this because they shirk
their duty, for many statutes point
plainly to those court officers as the
proper parties to see to their enforce
ment and to bring to justice those
who transgress. Look up, for ex-
ample, the statute on swearing. OF
course they would scOur the State
for a negro thief (if a reward was
offered) and pass by open saloons
every Lords day.
If we cannot depend upon the
court officers, we must place the bur-
den upon the citizen, so that it is
your business to bring to justice any
parties of whose guilt you are certain.
/ call your attention to few laws
: that may be transgressed every week
in your community. Ifso, it is your
duty, as citizen. to see that they are
properly enforced:
Sec. 1903. Liquors shall not be sold
on Sunday. Saloons shall not even
be open for business. Penalty from
$40 to $50.
This law has been satisfactorily
tested by the writer in the County
and Circuit Courts of Campbell
county.
Sec. 1904. Liquors shall not be sold
without license. Penalty from $40
to 500.
This statute has been tested in
many courts and places the respOn-
sibility upon the citizens in 'dry"
precincts, districts and counties in
abolishing "blind tigers"
Sec. 1906. Liquors shall not be
bought or sold within one mile of
places of public worship during di-
vine service, except when authorized
by law. Penalty 80.
Sec. 1906. Liquors shall not be sold
or given to minors without written
order by parents or guardian. Pen
atty $50.
This statute is very generally
violated.
Sec. 1907. Liquors shall not be sold
or given to inebIiates. Penalty $50
and liable to family for damages
when notice has been given.
These are but few of many laws
violated every week. They can and
should be enforced in every locality
where there is one citizen with back
bone sufficient to fight the battle.
The next number of the EndeavOr
will contain mention of other statutes
disregarded generally. Meanwhile
pray you take heed Of these things.
GEO. Il. KAUFMAN,
SuDt. Christian Citizenship.