Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1901-03-06
A GOOD BEGINNING.

Il ia gratifying to the friends OF law
and order and the promoters OF pubic
morals to see that the Mayor and the
Police authorities are united, In ener-
getic efforts TO enforce the laws against
the vices which lnfest this city In com
mon with all centers Of population. we
do not mean by this, to say that SAT-
Lake City is as bad as most OF the
cities in this and other civilized coun-
tries We believe our capital deserves
It's reputation as one Of the most or
Derby and least criminal OF towns, and
think It's authorities desire the public
welfare,
The closing Of the gambling resorts
seems to have made quite q nutter
among the sporting fraternity and the
intImatlon that this Is not to be q
spasmodic exhibition OF police vigil
lance, but n regulation to be continued,
appears to have fallen with a sickenng
effect on the professional gamblers,
and raised the hopes OF people who de-
sire to have the good character of our
metropolis maintained. Perhaps II VIII
be found impossible to suppress gam
bling altogether, But It is evident
that the closing OF places which are
virtual traps for the working man and
the uns6phisticated traveller, Is pract-
cable and that they can be virtually
abolished.
Sunday liquor selling, in the same
way, can be suppressed, II the order
goes forth from the Mayor, The police
will carry It out as closely as possible
II It Is carried on after that. It will be
done secretly and will therefore be
greatly restricted, When II Is known
that the law Is TO be enforced, the most
respectable places will close up entirely
and ,ne others viii be subject to such
rigid inspection that they will be very
cautious. and therefore will not make
the Sunday supply very common, and
two or three convictions VIII drive the
business into a few corners and small
proportions,
The step already taken as TO pub
llcity given by other resorts to their
ncfarious business Is In line with the
policy now undertaken, and is proper
as far as II goes, II Is all In accord
with the suggestions of the News" on
Monday evening and on previous ooca-
sions. and will receive the approval OF
the large majority of our citizens. The
city may lose some revenue by the re-
strlction OF the evils that have lately
obtained prevalence. But that Is a
small consideration, and Will not weigh
in the scales against the good that viii
be accomplished
We have some appreciation Of the
difficulties that stand in the way Of q
rigid enforcement Of The city ordinances
in reference to social evils We DO no,
believe 1t Is good policy TO scatter vIct
all over town. and infect with such dis
orders respectable localities. 1t should
be suppressed when possible, and re-
stricted within the narrowest llmit'
where It cannot be destroyed,
ImposslbllitIes must not be expected
OF the city authorities, and they should
receive general commentator and sup
port In dong the best they can 20 carr,
out the wishes Of decent people, W.
say. go on with the good work Of loca
reform, and make this city as morally
clean as practicable, all the elrcum
stances. conditions and demands con
s,dered. The police are worthy OF al
praise for their rapid and dlligent worl
as soon as the order was received. /
was well done.