Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1902-09-18
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OFFICERS, DO YOUR DUTY,

The question OF the renewal Of licens-
es for the liquor traffic at places where
the city ordinances have been repeated
~ violated, has been a subject Of pub
lie discussion for some time. II viii
come up with renewed interest after the
action that will be taken by the City
Council, on the report OF the license
committee which seems 10 desire TO
daily with 1t, in favor of the saloon
element
There Is a widespread suspicion that
political reasons sway some portions
Of the city government In the handling
Of this matter aud Of the gambling
and sporting evils In this city. The
question is being asked, whether the
municipality is TO be controlled by
those unsavory elements, II is well
known that they formed a powerful
combination In the last city election.
The promises that We're made TO them
in secret have been proclaimed openly.
They constitute o public scandal.
We serve notice upon the politicians
who have linked their interests with
this combination, that the public will
not submit TO the imposition. They
may as we'll underHtand 1t now as at
any time. II those elements which
laws and ordinances In all civilized
communities are framed to restrain, II
not suppress. can combine for their
own ends and purposes, citizens Of all
creeds and. parties who stand for law
and order and decency, can also unite
With determination to reduce those
evils TO a minimum, and II necessary
to sweep away from official life, every
public servant who prostitutes his Of
flee In favor OF those public enemies.
Recent occurrences have brought out
in bold relief the pictures drawn by
this paper, of the violations of ordinan-
ces and regulat lions that have been per-
mitted to flourish unchecked. A change
VIII have TO be effected. II is expected
that the majority Of the City Council
will take action, according 10 the
pledges given previous to the last No
vember election. Their course IL being
watched closely. Let them proceed
consistently with their promises and do
the duties incumbent upon them by
the oaths they have taken.
The course OF the county commits
sioners In relation 10 the roadhouce
wnere the Jennings homicide occurred,
and where the evidence showed CON
elugively that II was place Of resort
for minors OF both sexes, 10 whom IN.
tvxicants were VIGOROUSLY sold is
looked for with much anxiety. All such
places should be placed under the o.
fetal ban. II is Of no use to daily with
Ethem or with their proprIetors.
We do not want TO see any such
Exhibitions OF public Indignation as
those which have dlsgraced other states,
3when the liquor laws were fiagrantlg
[defied. Everything that is done for
their suppression should be accom-
|rlished by law, not by mob violence
The excuse for tumults OF that kind
ATTENDED with the destruction OF pro.
berry, has been that the laws have not
been executed by the proper officers.
knd that therefore, the people, who are
he source Of all political power, have
kaken the matter into their own hands.
Or course that excuse is specious and
Invalid. But when the populace be-
homes aroused. logic and reason do no.
sure very consplcuously. We are
rainst all such exhibitions of moboc-
scy. They must not be tolerated. But
he best way TO prevent them is to exc
k,te the laws reasonably but with need
hl force and determination.
Ia II be understood that saloon-
repers, gamblers, dealers In vice. pro-
.oters of RIGHTEOUSNESS and crime,
knnot run this city or this county, no
later what may be the number d