Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1903-01-21
WEDNESDAY. JANUARY FL, 1908.
COST OF PROSECUTING BLIND PIG.

the enforcement of the liquor laws of
the state of Minnesota when such laws
are disregarded within the limits of
such incorporated city or villages
''that are so unfortunate as to have
blind pigs" The item goes on to state
that the county attorney is discour-
aged and will make no further effort
unless evidence is brought to his
Office. The TRIBUNE ventures the as
sertion that these sweeping statements
are not only false but constitute a H.
bel on the commissioners and the Off
cials involved, who have sworn to up
hold the laws of the commonwealth.
This aside from the question as to the
propriety of allowing q certain bill for
detective services engaged by the as
sistant county attorney. The evident
intent of the published item was to
discourage the no-license people of the
city, and to pave the way for that de-
sirab'e ~ condition when the city
would be so ''fortunate'' as to have
saloons, sanctioned and legalized by
the citizens of the town.
1t is the business of the county at
torney to enforce the state laws
against crime of all kinds, and that a
distinction should be made between
crimes committed inside or outside of
incorporated cities or villages within
the county limits is ridiculous to say
the least. Also that any official of
the county would refuse to render any
and all assistance possible to uphold
the law is position that cannot be
taken without rejecting seriously up
on the integrity of such officer.
A great ado is always made by apol-
ogists for the legalized saloons over
the cost to the county of prosecuting
violators of the liquor laws; as if this
were an extraordinary burden upon
the county, and for that reason vii
lagos whose citizens refuse to legalize
the traffic should be punished by be-
ing deprived of the protection of the
state laws. Anyone who attempts
this simply shows a lamentable IT,
norauce. Statistics will show that the
Elimination of crime in general upon
the outlawing of the saloon will be so
marked that the county could we'll af-
ford to expend a large amount in
prosecuting violators of the liquor
laws and still be better off in regard
to court and Jail expenses than when
legalized saloons are tolerated.
A year ago The TRIBUNE had oc-
casion to compile the court and jail
expense Of Kandiyohi county for q
period of years to meet this Identical
argument, and it was so conclusive
that none of the apologists for the
legalized saloon cared to publicly
gainsay the same. The figures were
for the period beginning with May,
1894, up to May in 1901. They may
be readily verified by referring to the
county auditors warrant book and
figuring a little. During some of
these years the village OF Willmar
was "dry" and during the others
''Wet,"
We found that the average cost of
the grand jury during the ''wet'' peri.
DDS was, per term, sl84.74; while the
average cost of the grand jury during
the "dry" periods was $156.75.
We found that the average yearly
cost of justice courts within the coun-
ty during the "wet'' periods was $751;.
%; while the average annual cost OF
justice courts during the "dry" peri.
DDS was 1882 q.
We found the average county jail
expenses during the ''wet" periods
per court term to be $s49. SO; while thu
average Jail expenses during thu
'dry" period per court term were
$3.50, 90.
In addition to the better Showing
made in the line of costs Of crimina
lso.ions - and supporting prisoner Y