The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1902-02-07
LAWS VIOLATED.
Judge Cray Asks Jury to In
vestigate Violations.
The February Term Of District Court
Opens This Morning.---Prelimi-
nary Call of Calendar.

Judge Cray created stir in district
,urt chamber this morning, when af-
II instructing the jury as to their
uty he called attention to current
,ports of violations of the state laws
, the city of Mankato and asked that
n investigation of the reports be
lade. The following is a summary OF
le charge with reference to violations
, this city:
Before you retire to begin your
work I think it proper to call your
attention to the fact that it is a
matter of public comment in this
city, and elsewhere, that places
where intoxicating liquors are Ii
censed to be sold in this city, and
perhaps elsewhere in this county,
are being conducted in open viola
ton of the law. r..
The law provides that all persons
licensed to sell intoxicating liquors
in this state shall close their places
of business (hotels excepted) at
eleven o'clock at night, and keep
the same closed until five o'clock
in the morning, and sell no intoxi-
eating liquors therein, between
those hours.
1t is made unlawful also to dis
pose of intoxicating liquors upon
the Sabbath day, and all licensed
saloons are required to be kept
closed during all hours of every
Sabbath day.
It is also made unlawful to dis
pose of intoxicating liquors to any
minor person for the use of him
self or any other person, or to any
pupil or student in any public
school. or to any habitual drunk
ard, incorporate drinker, or in
toxicated person.
1t is also unlawful to admit any
person under the age of twenty
one years into any place where in
toxicating liquors are sold or given
away, or to furnish in any manner
any cigarettes, cigars or tobacco in
any form to any person under
eighteen years of age, or to any
minor pupil in any school, or any
such person to smoke or use cigar
cites, cigars or tobacco in any
e form on any public highway,
street, alley or parks or in any
public place.
These offenses may be punished
by indictment by grand jury and
by trial in the district court.
These laws apply to all cities
and villages in this state, and
hence they apply with full force
to the city of Mankato.
1t is current report that it is
- said by at least some of the per-
sons conducting places in this
city in which intoxicating drink
is licensed to be sold, that certain
of these laws are violated with the
express or implied consent of pub
lie officers of this city, whose duty
it is to see that these laws are en-
forced.
/ charge you that it is not in the
power Of any officer of this city,
county or state, to consent that
these laws, enacted by the legisla-
ture for the public good, and now
on our statute books, be violated,
or to permit such violation, under
any circumstances whatever, and
insofar as any such officer as
sumes so to do. he is himself a
violator of the laws which it is
his sworn duly to enforce, and is
liable to punishment for such
violation.
l charge you that it is your duty
to make reasonable investigation,
to ascertain whether any of these
laws to which your attention has
been called, are being violated,
and if they are, to take such steps
as shall bring the guilty parties to
justice. ..N
The laws of this state were en-
acted to be obeyed, and are not to
be lightly discharged by any man,
or any class of men.
1t is not unusual to hear of sa.
looms in this city being kept open
on the Sabbath day, and during
hours prohibited by law, and Of
liquors being sold therein, as well
to habitual drunkards, incorporate
and intoxicated persons, as te
minors and pupils in the schools,
and to hear of minor persons, mere
children. both male and female,
being found in state of intoxica
tion, going in and out of saloons,
and INDUCING in the use of cigar
cites, cigars and tobacco.
This is deplorable condition Of
affairs, and necessarily involves
violations of the law by some one
and you may well use your hes
efforts to ascertain who the viola
tors are, to the end that proper
steps may be taken to secure theil
arrest and punishment.
All jurors responded to their nan
at the preliminary call of the Gale
dar this morning. L. g. M. Fletch
VIM. Ward Of Medic and Frank SHAFT
of Medic have been excused for cal