Gilpin observer., 1903-06-18
That the People may Know

A petltlOn bearing Tue nhme Vi aoouo
four hundred and fifty voters, including
nearly all the leading business and pro-
fessional men of the city, and represent
ing every class of our citizens, was pre-
sented to our city council Thursday,
June IL, 1903. The petition asked for
the reenactment Of the former ordinance
regarding the Sunday closing OF saloons
in accordance with the laws OF our state.
The petition was gotten up in proper
form, respectfully asking the council to
consider the matter and praying that
such consideration might result OF
suitable ordinance on the subject. 1t
was presented in an entirely respectfully
manner by duly appointed representa-
tive OF the petitioners. 1t was well
known that the committee that circu
lated the petition had been unable to
reach large number Of men and wom-
an who gladly would have signed it, and
this fact was mentioned at the time OF
presentation to the council.
What was done with this petition,
thus presented?
1t was not debated nor considered, but
Laid on the table," and the respectfully
expressed prayer of nearly five hundred
voter citizens was turned down cold, and
their will simply ignored.
At the same time an ordinance was
proposed and ordered published which
provides for changing the hour of Sun
day closing from l p m. to p. m., which
ordinance will, if it passed, throw the
town wide open, and leave us no por-
tion of the Sabbath day without the
open saloon. Thy action of the council
on this proposition was one of respect
full and favorable consideration in the
interest of the saloon element, Though
such action was carried by the bare ma
jority of one vote.) 1t is also only fair
to say that not all the members of the
council voted to table the petition of the
people, without consideration.
Now, there is one thing which the
Am erican people believe in most thor
oughly, and that is fair play, and ian
equal show to the other fellow" When
the petition was about to be tabled it
was suggested by the parties submitting
the same to the council that it would be
fair thing for the council to have the
proposed Sunday closing ordinance pub
lished side by side with the proposed
amendment opening the saloons the rest
of the Sabbath day, in order that both
together might have the full and fair
consideration of the people: but this too
was ignored and the petitioners feel that
such an action was not in the spirit OF
fair play; that it was distinctively un-
American and unfair.
Does it not seen that this action, led
as it was, by representative of the liq-
quor interests, was direct exercise of
selfish power in turning down the re-
quest of the peoples petition, for the
8 Ike Of the personal interest of the few?
Fie on such action! Is it fair play, or
or political anarchy? That such petition
representing at least respectable class
OF citizens-both as regards character
and number-citizens who have been
the support and backbone Of the CON-
munity, and the most law.abiding and
law-supporting element of the common
wealth, .
That such petition, and such body
Of citizens, should be so ignored and de-
MED the privilege Of having their petit
tion fairly and respectfully considered
by the council is certainly not in har-
mony with ordinary justice and the
modern spirit Of fair play which we all
profess to favor. I
Public Office is public trust" is an old
maxim, but it would seem that new
meaning OF the word trust" must be
applied here, and that some members Of
the council are in the interests OF the
saloon trust, thus being in trust with,
and trusted by the saloons. The people
are not to be considered in such matters
and yet, we had the idea in our heads
that the voice Of the people, when re-
spectfully expressed, and properly ad
dressed to their legislative servants (for
we understand that public officer is a
servant Of the public) should be respect
fully received and given fair consldera.
ton. To Immediately "lay on the table"
is a simple ignoring of the petition-and
of the petitioners. Again We ask: Is
this fair play?
The Sabbath day, to many Of our cit
izens is sacred day, it is one of the cor
ner stones Of the Republic. Sunday
saloon opening is desecration OF the
day in the eyes of many of our people,
and when the city government sanctions
and authorizes such desecration it in
wolves each and nuerY riiizen Citizens