The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-02-14
ENFORCEMENT OF LAW
GOVERNOR MOUNT BEARS DOWN on
TERRE HAUTE POLICE BOARD.
Complaint Made by the A~nti-saloon
League-Governor Says the Laws
Must Be Enforced.

Another police board has been called to
account by Governor Mount. Several days
ago the Governor received a petition from
the Anti-saloon League OF Terre Haute
asking him to remove the police COM
missioners OF that city and appoint others
fn their places. The charges made against
the Terre Haute board are similar to the
charges made against the Elwood police
board.
The complaint set forth that the law was
being violated by allowing saloons to keep
their back doors open on Sundays, and fur
Their when a policeman's attention was
called to the violation he would make
promises to see hat the matter was at
tended to at once. and these promises were
never kept. AS a result Of the petition
Governor Mount sent for the police COM
missicners. and yesterday two Of hem-O.
e. Ready and John Barbazett, n DIR.
H~ollingsworth and Edward Dick, represent
Ing the Anti-saloon League. were given a
hearing in the Governors parlors- During
the hearing IL was developed that the board
had granted gamblers the privilege of run
ming their games during the G. A. r. en-
rampment In Terre Haute. When the Gov
ernor learned OF the willingness of the
board TO permit an open violation of the
law, he became very much incensed and in
very forcibIe language gave them to IN
derstand that the law was to be enforced
1T all times and under all. circumstances
The representatives of the Anti-saloon
League present stated that they had made
observation or the saloons on Sunday and
although many OF the bars Of the saloons
were exposed to observation from the
street, the rear Of the rooms were shut off
from View oy curtains. ana they had ire
quently seen men going in the rear doors.
The police commissioners maintained that
they were doing the best they could with
the small force OF patrolmen at their com
mand. They said there were $50 saloons and
II was almost impossible TO keep them all
closed.
At the conclusion OF the hearing the
Governor told the commissioners he was
not satisfied with the enforcement of the
law In Terre Haute. but he would give
them a chance 10 do better. He said the
superintendent was to be continued on pro-
baton and he would remove him IL he did
not do better. The Governor sent the fol-
lowing letter OF Instructions TO the police
board at Terre Haute last evening:
"The majority of the members OF your
board have this day heard read in my Of
fee numerous complaints of ~nonenforce-
ment OF the law In the city OF Terre Haute
Notwithstanding the difficulties that con-
front you In your efforts 10 execute the
Law. its mandates must be obeyed. Lax
enforcement OF the law begets contempt
for IL. and results in untold evil.
Il desire you 20 give positive instruction.
TO the superintendent. subordinate officers
and potrolmen TO faithfully perform their
duties. When violations of the law are
brought 10 the notice OF any officer I'm.
mediate attention. IL possible. must be given
10 such alleged violation and the guilty
parties arrested.
II trust this demand will meet with
prompt compliance and that the dignity OF
the law will be upheld and its provisions
enforced"