Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1904-06-18
ENFORCE THE LAWS.

Law Notos. periodical for lawyers,
IN recent issue takes mp the danger
Gus doctrine enunclated by an eastern
court, that the police may sometimes ig-
more law that seems out Of date ana
purItanlcul, and the non-eDforcement
OF which may appear beneficial to some
portion Of the public That paper says
irrespective Of any question as to
the Justice or Injustice or even AS to the
expedIency OF sunday laws, II Us clear
that the principle set forth II utterly
untenable and Is subVerslve Of all po-
lice regulations. II prohibition Of sun
day gaming and public sports may
thus be wiped from the statute book by
police suplnenesa, why may not pro-
hibltlons OF Sunday horseracing or
Sunday circus performances or other
theatrical shows? Can any distinction
be drawn between the essential char
aoterigtics OF baseball and any other
form Of amusement or entertainments
May our police, even in the face Of eN-
pliclt statutes, abolish the American
Sunday and substitute the Continentnl2
And II they can. can't they extend their
legislative powers 10 other subjects
than Sunday obaerynnccY The doctrine
would be monstrous II advocated by
layman. How can u be tiitlngly deslg-
mated when pronounced from the
bench. which is supposed 10 enforce the
law because II Is law ana TO leave the
legislature TO exercise the power OF re-
peal2"
The police Of this city and the peace
officers Of this county would do well to
take notice of this reasoning. Execu-
tive officers are appointed to enforce
tho law, not TO construe It, rer to close
their eyes to its infraction. And courts
are not to change laws or render them
imperative, but TO expound them and
pass judgment upon those who Violate
them. II Is the legislative arm OF the
public service that Is authorized to
pass, amend or repeal statutes and It's
prerogatives ought not to be lnfringed.
As the Deseret News has frequently
explained, the laws OF this state pro-
vide penalties against barbarous or
noisy amusements, the conduct Of UNI
necessary business, the sale of lntoxi-
Giants, etc. on the first day OF the
week, commonly called Sunday,
There ia much TO be said In favor
Of those provisions, But even II they
are thought 70 be restrictive and un.
wise. they are living laws and ought
not 10 be Viewed as a dead letter. The
kind OF baseball game INDUCED In on
Sunday, June IL, is certainly a noisy
n not "barbarous amusement, and the
peace officers OF this city and county
are violating their oath OF office when
they permit such disturbances 20 go on.
All persons who engage In them, wheth-
er an players sellers Of tickets OF adj
mission or seats. or purchasers thereof,
are guilty OF misdemeanor and liable
to arrest and punishment
Apart from consideration OF the right
of religious people 10 that peace, good
order and freedom from interruption OF
devotional observanoes to which they
are entitled, the laws are intended TO
secure 10 all citizens the quiet and rest
OF the day set apart for those purposes,
and those laws should be enforced with
prudence and according to the spirit
and meaning thereof and 80 as not TO
interfere with the lawful liberty Of any
one. People who hove no religion can,
at least. be fair and decent enough to
respect the sentiments Of those who are
and the devotional can be lib
eral enough not to restrict others In
such secular pursuits or recreations
as are within the lines Of law and
order There need be no friction be-
tween the two classes. but while We
have Sunday laws upon our statute
books they ought to be executed, In
wisdom, and the officers Of the law are
In duty bound 10 proceed against row.
dylsm aud public disturbance partic-
uiarly on the day observed as the Sab
bath.