The Caucasian. (Shreveport, La.) 1900-192?, 1903-01-07
CITY COUNCIL.
The Screen Ordinance ard The
Sunday Law.

COlISlucl ittOll. HIS ordinance is a9l-
tatnig the class of men who will be Ill
rectly affected should it become law
This ordinance was suggested to meet
the persistent and deliberate dctermina-
ton of some saloon men to evade the
Sunday law, which they regard as being
unjust. oppressive and tyrannical, at
least to them. Since its introduction into
the council, its opponents have been
active and may have been encouraged by
men who would rejoice in the dscon-
future, of Mayor Querbes.
1t may be recalled that when Mayor
Queries was inaugurated he announced
that he would be governed by his oath
of office in the enforcement of law His
attitude, preceding his election, was not
disgui sed and in the contest which re-
suited in his election he received no
favor at the hands of those who would
now discredit him in spirit POLITICAL
In political sense some men consider
all means legitimate to balk, weaken,
neutralize and break down an adver-
sary. To the Caucasian's view there is
much silent politics in the Sunday law
agitation, which was sprung recently in
an editorial from a quarter which
aroused suspicion and startled the law
abiding community When men of all
classes and conditions rebe1led at the
bare mention OF. dle repeal Of the Sun
day law there was a significant an
noincement ON the question. The eau
casian declares ernphatically and chal-
lenges all contradictions to the state
nent that the greatest majority Of the
people of Shreveport are in favor of the
Sunday law, and the bartenders and
glass washers and attendants in saloons
are equally in favor of their Sunday as
day of rest and recreation. And it is
declared that if the question Of main
tanning or repeating the Sunday law be
left to the people, the sinners would be
Joined by the saints and the proposed
repeal would be buried in overwhelming
defeat
The question or issue is plain and is
understood by men who are not easily
swayed
Men who. reason have reached the
conclusion that the council would be
guilty Of the rankest stupidity if they
repealed tie Sunday law Fortunately,
the council is not composed Of stupid
men. but there are in the council men
who may permit their kindly feeling TO
becloud their judgment. Such is human
nature The Sunday ordinance is safe;
It's repeal would not nullify OF ob1iter
ate the State law, and being in full
force and effect, Mayor Queries, in
keeping with his oath of office, would
be bound to assist the State with the
police in the enforcement of the law.
The repeal of the Sunday law would be
a point gained by the law-breakers, but
the city would sustain the loss of reve-
nue. which is now obtained from the oc-
casional conviction of the Sunday law
breakers. But it is not so much the
repeal of the Sunday. law orsiln2s:sffsstestl
which sse.:ss selS4esafo6n men. 1t is
eoneeded that the ordinance proposing
the removal of all screens is a radical
measure. but its dictation is essential to
meet the equally radical opposition Of
those who have persisted in defying the
law. OF the saloon men there are num-
Der who are not iaw-breakers and these
are entitled to consideration and pro
lection by compelling the laW-breakcrs
to conform to the law. II the ordinance
providing for the removal of all screens
be passed. the persistent, chronic law
breakers would be cireunpscribed, WIS.,
IDLY, to the limits OF the law, bit there /
are some gentlemen of the council who
may view the screen ordinance as "a con
templated assault on property and per
sonal rights which they must defend.
These gentlemen who pirate about con
stitutional, property and personal rights
should be consistent. Il may be asked
with all due respect if the proposed
ordinance to remove and restrict pros
Iitutes to CERTAIN districts is not an as
sault on the property and personal rights
If those concerned This class Of beings
afso have rights. but are compelled to
obey the law. Is it not a restraint on thef
sifizen when it is declared that he shall
ut erect wooden building il the fire
district
Fortunately law Is designed for the
rood Of the greatest number. Il IS re-
trietive ii intent and spirit, YET men
aelate law regardless Of the peniten-
larry. The adoption BY the council OF
he ordinance providing for the re-
neVal Of screens would simplify the
aforcenlent 81 The Sunday law, while