Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1902-08-25
LET THE COUNCIL ACT.

1t Is reported from authentic sources
that the saloons in this city were un-
restricted on Sunday In their Illegal
transaction Of business. A few OF them
we're closed, some had side doors open
for all corners, and others had the front
doors wide open, and there was q gen.
eral disregard OF the city ordinance and
the order Of the Chief OF Police This
relapse into old conditions. with the
return to the tolerance OF gambling
dens and houses Of ill-fame, constitutes
a condition OF aGsirs which viii have
to be met by the city authorities.
Not only do the state laws and city
ordinances forbid the sale or giving
away Of lntoxicants on the first Gay
OF the week, commonly called Sunday,
but they also provide penalties for the
transaction OF unnecessary business on
that day. II Il Is difficult to prove, to
the satisfaction Of court that SYM
pathlzes with Sunday llquor-selling,
that beverages dispensed on that day
are intoxicants, plenty of evidence can
be secured that certain saloons are en-
gagged in unnecessary Sunday business
II there Is disposition on the part
OF the police to enforce the law. the
proofs in either case can be had ard
convictions secured. If the UNDER
standing is out chat the liquor dealers,
gamblers and keepers OF 'fast" houses
are to have their own way regardless
Of law, order and decency, Of course
everything will be wide open" TO use
a western term. and public sentiment
may be thus openly defed.
This is a proper subject for the city
Council TO take In hand with serious
determination. That body should not
permit itself to be played with, or hood
Winked, or its Instructions evaded.
There should be definite understand
rs on this matter. II Sunday liquor
selling Is to be permitted, let that fact
be openly proclaimed. II not, let some
further provisions be made similar 10
those in other cities, so that there shall
l.e a full public view OF the interior OF
the saloons, and also that honest and
persistent efforts on the part OF TIE
police shall be required to execute mu-
nicipal regulations.
II the present ordinances are not suf-
liclent to cover the case OF the gam
Fling houses and vile resorts, let them
be amended and extended so as to meet
the situation. Then let the executive
department be required to perform rs
duties, and be thoroughly exposed on
failure or refusal TO attend thereto.
The elements that make up the power
which seems to have control of the
executive part OF our city government
may be considered by some persons to
be formidable enough to constitute an
important factor in election affairs. But
II will be found when IL is directly pitt
ted against the great body Of law
promoting citizens that 1t will be IN
significant. There is a spirit Of quiet
determination working among the
peaceable people OF Salt Lake City.
which win manifest itself at the proper
time, and unless there is a change in
the manner Of conducting our city NJ.
fairs 1t will effect an entire revolution
Cur city authortese had better take
warning In time, and meet the situation
with full purpose TO uphold the majesty |
OF the law and establish its supremacy.