Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1901-10-09
THE oEAAr CONSIDERABLE N.

The action taken by the City Council
on Tuesday evening in reference to the
liquor traffic, was the only consistent
course to pursue under the circum-
stances. The resolution to enforce the
city ordinance forbidding the sale Of In
toxlcants on Sundays passed by vote
Of eleven against two, II requires the
Mayor, the Chief Of Police and the City
Council to see that the ordinance Is ex-
ecuted. The part including the City
Council ID the resolution could properly
have been omitted. But as It was em-
braced Ia the report OF the committee,
and debate over its exclusion would
have made division that might have
endangered the passage Of the entire
resolution, II was wisely left without
further contention.
II is a matter Of regret to all good
citizens, that II has been necessary 70
tale formal action In Council, to induce
the executive department Of this NUM-
clpality TO make an attempt to do Its
sworn duty as to one Of the ordinances
ci the city. The virtual refusal OF the
Mayor and the Chief Of Police to re-
spond TO the request OF citizens to en-
force that ordinance. was the real oc-
caslcn for the passage of the resolution.
II is simply amazing that executive Off
GERS have taken the position that they
may choose which ordinances shall be
enforced and which may be ignored.
This Is only equalled as a surprise to
thinking people by the assumption of
police authority TO turn loose arrested
persons without trial, on their rcstor-
ntlon OF stolen property The astonlsh-
ment Of persons with a legal mind In
viewing such proceedings, is almost be-
yond expression. That any executive
officer could imagine for moment that
lie has the right to assume the func-
tons OF court. or to make selections
OF what laws he deems right OF exped.
ent, and TO carry his private opinion
into public practice, is piece Of as
that Is almost paralyzlng. II
is time that such notions were stamped
out OF existence by the heel OF authorl- |
~ II reason cannot remove them.
Reference TO the city charter and the |
,tt.y nrlt,o roao ,,,il .hnu, ,hot k.,hlia IA /
q the duty Of the Council TO frame or
and regulations, it Is the duty |
II the Mayor 10 see that they are en-
forced. The City Council passes on the
right or wrong, the wisdom or mex
pedlency Of municipal measures. The
Mayor may do the same as to their
adoption or rejection, until they be-
come law, Then he has no discretion
concerning their enforcement. He must
see that they are executed, or he neg
ects duty which he has taken an
'faclal oath to perform. II he thinks
my public measure is improper
he can so inform the Council and make
suggestions as to It's amendment or re-
zeal. but he must not be permitted to
'hoose which laws shall be enforced
md which may be dehed or left as a
lead letter.
The Chief Of Police has no authority
u all as to laws and ordinances ex-
'ept 10 enforce them, No statute can
'e palmer than the law on that point.
ieis notclothed with any discretionary
'owers in this matter. There should
lave been no need for any action OF
he Council. requiring that officer to
10 what he has sworn 70 perform. But
he course Of that body. as stated by
councilman Beatty, was better late
han never. His remarks were exactly
o the point on this subject.
We agree With him. too, that politics
VI no figure in this movement to stop
unday llQuor-sellng. II is partlci-
ated in by members OF both parties
n the Council. It ala not original,
Nth a political party or faction. The
Tea that demand for the enforcement
I a long.siandlng law Is to be viewed
$ political trick Il not only ex-
remedy silly but reflects very harshly
n the party supposed to be affected by
. The more respectable portion Of
he cldzens, Of all faiths and parties,
re united in the demand that the or.
nance in question shall be enforced.
nd the same in regard to the sale Of
quor 10 minors, which Is dencd or
vaded alsust every day.
The Deseret News takes no part,
de on this question. Politics need not
ave been dragged into II at all. But
nce the charge Is made that this Is
he motive Of the supporters Of IN,
iovcneat we win say that suficlen,
official sentiment should. and no doubt
IN enter into the coming municipal
lection. to place In ofilce men who vii.
erform tier duty TO the public. and
ave knowledge enough and sense
aonsh TO understand what they may
: may not do, in their official stations
8 servants Of the people who place
rem IN power.
This ought to he done. no matter
hat may be the political party thai
laces them before the voters for their
inrases. We want good men and
lse meh IN municipal Office. and their
ailonal politics need cut no part.cula.
gare In their qualifications for local
uihority. We want an enicient city
oreinment; that should be the great
nd paramount consideration.