The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1903-12-05
a WORD TO CHARLEY BROWN

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And incidentally TO Policeman Brig
ance With Mr.. Brown we agree that
all Objectionable or dead-letter laws
should be repealed. Whose business
is this but that OF the people who elect
their representatives to make the laws.
This same is true of the enforcement
of law. The guardians of the peace
are elected to suppress violations of
the law. The duty OF a citizen, If he
knows of violation of law, is to report
the same to an official and make aft
davit of such fact. The mere belief,
or impression, or say so of o person
is no evidence in a case Of violated
law.
Jewell was fined because he was
warned repeatedly TO desist from sell
ing on Sunday by the officer Of the
law. The last time he was cautioned
the officer was told it was none of his
business and to journey to sheol.
The other cases Mr.. Brown cites are
only suspicious circumstances. Per-
sons were said to have entered the
back door of certain business houses
and were seen to come out with pack
ages. This may be true, but here
there is no evidence. Going into
storeroom on Sunday, whether at the
front or rear door and coming out with
a package or packages is no evidence
of violation of the Sunday law, as no
money was seen to pass for the goods,
unless the party coming out with the
packages would make an affidavit that
he really did buy the goods on Sunday
Mr.. Brown says this Sunday law is
known to the police. The latter deny
the allegation and defy the alligator"
to make affidavit that he knows of
such violation, and the party named
will be arrested
Now, that paragraph about the ''pO
litical pull" of the official is what po-
etical license denominates political
demagoguery." There is too much of
this "curbstone" and grocery corner
box" accusations against men, meas
ures and officials. The Star believes
that all men should be equal before
the law and that violators of the law
should feel its mailed hand regardless
of condition. But, in short, We make
and execute the law, and our officials
are efficient in proportion to the char
acter of the men who hold them and
the public opinion that is behind them.
If men know of violation of law and
are too timid, conservative or high
toned to call attention of the officers
to it, or not ready to back up informa-
ton with an affidavit, they are to be
reprehended and lack the first essen
tial of true citizenship. We can ex-
cuse ourselves as we will but the dam
aging fact rests upon us
Policeman Brigance replied to Mr.
Brown and brought his manuscript to
the Star Office for publication. 1t was
not inserted because it lacked many
of the essentials of which a reply
should be. We offered to rewrite it,
put it into shape and tone down some
of the ragged edges, but at this Pa
liceman Brigance took umbrage, lifted
his manuscript and said he would have
the Banner publish it, to which We
wished him a pleasant journey.
Some people think any and every
thing goes in a printing office, but for
get that if that were the case the print,
ing Office would be the citadel of the
town and the editors would be walking
arsenals, all of which We have no de-
sire to be. but will give at all times a
respectful hearing to all parties and
all sides. We are here in the interest
of the public if they have equity and
1rrCripn 70