Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1902-05-12
FACE THE SITUATION,

According 10 reports from reliable
onlookers. there was but little II any
change on Sunday IN the tactics and
business Of the saloonkeepers. Many OF
our citizens were in hopeful eXpecla-
ton of dry Sunday" as the eSeou-
tive department Of the municipality
had expressed the intention Of enforc-
Ing the city ordinances in reference to
Sunday business, as well as other and
kindred offenses,
That "the world was not made In n
day" IS a trte saying the application
OF which to other matters Is generally
understood, II Is not reasonable to OK
pect instantaneous reforms In society.
We confidently look for salutary chang
es under the new chief OF Police, con-
siderlng the harmony that now exists
between that functlonary and the May
or. The orders which are said TO have
been Issued in reference to q GER
tain class OF persons, who are
Viewed by some people as "a
necessary evil" TO vacate the
ground-loor apartments Of the houses
they occupy and move to the upper
regions, and also to cease their parad-
ing Of the public streets, evidently
mean business. Their enforcement viii
doubtless follow any neglect TO com
Ply with them.
Similar orders from the same quarter
to the saloonkeepers generally, that
they must cease to transact their BUSH
ness on Sundays, viii most likely have
the proper effect, particularly n those
who do not conform to the warning are
promptly arrested and properly pun
ished We are In favor of giving the
rolce department reasonable time to
work out the changes Of policy IN re-
gard TO Sunday liquor traffic, gambling,
the roomlng house evil and other mat
,ers that need special attention.
The plea of some Of the police that It
would be OF no use to make arrests, be-
cause Of the alleged disposition
Of the local courts to favor
loopholes for the escape Of the culprlts.
has been shown 70 be weak If
not groundless. The convictions that
have been had In the city court are evil
dence that the law can be enforced, q
due diligence is exercised in the detec.
tion Of crime and the prosecution Of the
criminals,
The ruling In the latest case brought
10 trial resulting in the conviction of
the offender, while differing with some
decisions made In different courts, con.
talns an element OF justice coupled with
reason and common sense, that COM
mends It to every thoughtful mind,
and being fortified with ruling touch
Ing closely on the question by the SUI
preme Court Of the land, It win prob.
ably be sustained If carried up on APP
peal.
There is a vast difference between en-
ticing or inducing person TO commit
a crime, and taking measures to detect
its commission by persons who are
known 10 be In It's habitual violation.
The officers who purchased lntoxicants
at saloon which was In fun blast, and
IN doing so technically might be con-
sidered as parties to the offense, did
not actuate or influence the saloon
keeper to engage in that unlawful bust
ness. They had no criminal motive in
partaklng OF the beverage. but their
intent was to vlndicate, not violate the
law.
Whatever view may be taken as to
their liability as particlpators in the o.
fence, the guilt OF the person detected
In transactlng the business OF liquor
selling on Sunday remains without
doubt. Why should he not be pro-
nounccd guilty when the evidence
against him is direct and complete?
II anybody wanted TO charge the off,
GERS with having broken the law. that
would be another matter entirely, ana
their case should stand on It's own mer-
its. In any event the guilt OF the sa-
loonkeeper or bartender would remain
unchanged by any action taken In re.
yard TO the purchasers OF the beverage
that he sold. II there was any degree
or shadow OF a legal offence committed
10y the detectives, that would not les.
sen to the smallest amount the sum
Of the guilt OF the liquor seller.
The main force to be- exercised in the
removal Of the evils complained against
By the majority Of our citizens, IS
right disposition on the par. Of the eX.
ecutors OF the law. We fully believe
that II they are determined TO comply
With the public demand and to stop
Sunday liquor-selling, eambling
and grosser evils, the re-
forms that may be reasonably
anticipated win be effected, and our
city will return to former conditions,
v hen those offences were reduced to
nearly a minimum and. at any rate.
we're not Haunted IN the face OF the
public. and the ordinances were not op-
.nly and shamelessly dehed.
The need Of more policemen becomes
rreater every day. II Is absolutely nee
ckary that the ~aosReies % the force