The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-05-16
There Are Others.

The Post-Intelligencer expresses the
satisfaction OF the entire community
with the action of the city council in
revoking the license Of saloon that had
become notorious as a resort Of toughs
and a center for the concoctIon of crime.
We thank the council for this necessary
and timely reinforcement Of the move
ment to sustain the laws and put the
criminal element in subsection. And we
urge upon it the necessity OF following
this act with general scrutiny of IL
censes, and a revocation Of any others
that may have been used similarly as
a shield and cloak for evil deeds.
There was not shred of argument
for the opposite policy. The plea that
the license had been transferred to an
innocent purchaser who was conducting
an orderly business In an orderly way Is
mere moonshine. 1t is an insult to the
intelligence OF the men to whom 1t was
addressed. AS well claim that when
an article has been stolen and the thief,
with the officers of the law in full pur-
suit. passes it quickly to bystander.
it thereby becomes his property and
cannot be recovered by the lawful
owner. The character OF the place was
well known. The fact that the license
had been forfeited by breach Of Its con-
ditions was one with which any pros
pectve buyer Of the business should
make himself acquainted. There Is no
legal doctrine that covers a greater null
titude Of sins than that OF "the innocent
purchaser" Here Is one case at least
In which It could not be so much as
listened to.
The saloon business deserves the pro-
lection that the law accords to 1t. and
no more, 1t should be required to OBJ
serve the conditions prescribed in the
licenses under which 1t Is carried on
and the ordinances of the city that APP
ply to it. There should be no unjust
persecution and no unwarranted ten
derness. The police authorities have
complained more than once Of the diff
Guilty that besets their work in the ex-
istence OF low resorts where criminals
congregate, where many of their enter
prises are planned and where some of
them are consummated. 1t Is the duty
n hp cnunrn N hat -
vice. when they exist are deprived of
the sanction aud protection of the law.
That body must do its duty unfiInching-
ly. and then it will be quit OF all re-
sponsibility for infraetlons OF the law.
1t has done well We ask it now, in
behalf Of the entire community, IL its
work is complete. Are there any other
resorts where thieves and crooks and
confidence men abound? We ask the
police department. likewise, whether 1t
has any information or facts OF It's own
knowledge bearing on that inquiry? II
so, II is its duty to lay them before the
council without solicitation. In that Il
viii be acting for the whole community
Its course will be approved by the great
body Of those in the saloon business,
who are honest men. in favor OF law
and order. There could be no greater
service to them or to the city than TO
weed out every low haunt and accessory
OF crime. II is IN the interest Of every
| occupation, that Of liquor selling as well
as others In the interest % the public.
the enforcement Of law, the mainte-
nance Of order and the prevention OF
crime. \ good beginning has been
made. More power TO the elbows % our
police officers and counc,lmen. II there
are any other guilty parties. let the
blow fall