, 1903-01-26

WISDOM OF COUNTY ATTORNEYS
INTERPRETATION OF THE SUM-
DAY CLOSING LAW.
Contributor sees No Harm in Sale Of
Cigars, CONNECTIONS, ETC., on the
Sabbath-Law May Be Made OBJ
noxious-Doesn't Pay to Be Too
Good.

Laramie has had one day of Sunday
closing. and how does she like it?
Most people are of the opinion that
there is such a thing as being too good,
and it is evident that our ley county
attorney has an overdose.
1t all sounds very well to say that
unless a law is enforced it should be
repealed, but is it not far better to have
officers with discretion enough to pre-
vent their prejudices from carrying
them too far in their Interpretation of
the law, and thus avoid making what
otherwise might be a good measure OBJ
noxious? 1t is we'll known that a law
to be effective must be far-reaching,
and in it's enforcement with justice
and equity much must depend on the
judgment of the officers. Almost daily
there are cases brought to the atten-
ton of the officers which, in full Ian
guage of the law. might be interpreted
as serious offenses, but which are
amicably settled without to
the courts or to the law and without
working any hardship or injustice to
| anyone. Because the law is not ap-
pealed to in these cases, will anyone
say that it should be repealed? Or will
anyone say that there are not cases
where it is better to have officers who
know how far to go to serve the inter
est of the people than to have those
who know only an arbitrary interpre-
tation?
1t is but right tina, all bushes.
should be suspended SO far as possible
on the Sabbath without jeopardizing
the necessities and to an extent the
| pleasures of the people. The Sabbath
is the day of rest, and to the laboring
people is the only day for recreation
and pleasure. Various people rest their
minds and bodies in different ways
some by trips into the parks or coun-
try, others by attending places of wor-
ship, others in the quiet of the home
and still others by mingling with
| tIu dllu dooCSlulSS. "hIIS IL mo
be right and proper to remove the
means which tend to demoraliZe the
body or soul, yet wherein is the indi-
| vidual or community benefited by de-
priving the people of the means of Sc
curing that which pleases their fancy
without %detracting from the social or
moral standing? What harm can it
possibly do to sell a man a cigar or a
lady a box of CONNECTIONS, a dish of ice
cream or a glass of soda? Is it de
moralizing to rent a man or woman a
bicycle for a spin in the open air, or
permit a few friends to meet and spend
an hour or so together in a cigar store,
if the gambling vice is suppressed?
II these things are so d%emoralizing as
to be denied to those who have only a
Sunday to themselves, then they should
be cut out entirely.
II our present county attorney. who
processes to be a moral, Christian gen
tleman, is e~ndeavoring to make OBJ
noxious a law which. If wisely enforced,
would be a good one, he is certainly
pursuing the right course and has al
ready started a clamor for its repeal.
In the language of the poet,
1T doesn't pay to be too good
Just good enough will do.
T. answers pretty well for me.
And it will serve for you.
Don't fret about your neighbors'
faults
1t isn't right you should
And bear in mind, they try az hard
AS you do to be good"
NOT TOO GOOD.