Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1902-09-20

their liberation? That all parties and
classes among our citizens recognize
this wrong is beyond dispute, when the
declarations made before the election OF
last November are reviewed, They viii
be found,a AS then adopted IN this issue of
the News How have these promises
bcenkept? For few weeks there was
show OF activity in the work OF sup
preston Of gambling and the Sunday
llQuor-traillc. Knowing ones laughed,
shook their heads and declared that
this would not last, for a bargain had
been struck with the sporting elements
that, in exchange for their votes, arr
rangements would be madt whereby
this town would be thrown wide OPP
en-" And now who win have the hardi'
hood to deny that the prediction has
been verified?
During the time IN which there was
some appearance Of the enforcement of
city ordinances against gambling and
kindred eylls, II was asserted that only
the lower Glasses OF the houses in which
they were carried on were suppressed,
but that the higher grades were per-
mltted to flourish, although slightly UNI
der cover. That kind Of reform Is not
og,np,Ifpe, 10 mutt aiostf,p ttaHuoo II IL
not that which Is required and demand
ed There are some vices that will be
practiced I'm every mixed community
and cannot be entirely extripated. But
that Is no reason why they should be
allowed to flourish undisturbed. No law
that we know OF runs on without in.
fraction; but because there are and will
be law-breakers. is that an excuse for
neglectlng any effort towards It's exec
cution?
We repeat what we have many times
asserted That II the executive OFF,
GERS Of Salt Lake city honestly and
sincerely announced that gambling
houses must be closed; that liquor must
not be sold on Sundays. nor at any
time to minors; that the necessary pro-
visions concerning vile houses would
be rlgidly enforced; and that the entire
executive department would be re-
quired to engage and continue In this
essential work. then the evils COM
planned Of would be speedily dissipated
or reduced TO the lowest possible point,
providing suitable action followed the
announcement.
There is no good reason why this city
should not be restored to its former
condition Of law and order, public
peace and private safety, Footpads,
burglars and criminals Of all descrip-
lions can be made TO understand that
this town Is too hot to hold them. Now
they find Il too easy" II necessary,
the police force should be increased in
numbers, and its chief should be Wig
orous officer who can spend his full
time in the work Of directing his de-
partment. A sufficient salary should go
with the office TO render this feasible.
The municipality has been parleylng
and playing with this matter too long.
Our city fathers must arouse them
selves to the exigencles Of the situation.
II neither the executive nor legislative
departments will perform this pressing
duty. the public will have TO take steps
TO correct existing evns. It is no time
to urge political excuses. This Is not
matter for partlzan considerations. 1t
Is one that calls for the action Of de-
cent people of all shades Of religious or
political belief. It should not be used
as an attack on any political party, or
a pretended defense Of another. To
continue the present conditions without
effort for their remedy, for fear that
their disturbance will unfavorably af-
feet the election of any person or the
success OF any faction. is to virtually
confess that the evils are TO be blamed
upon the persons or the party that re-
sorts 10 the subterfuge.
VIII the officials who hold the author
ity and have II in their power to rid
the city OF the evils that deface IT, step
forward and DO their duty or must the
people arise in their might and attend
themselves TO the work expected OF
their elected representatives?