The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1904-08-29
thorities on conviviality than as strict
interpreters Of moribOund blue-laws.
"Isnt It Funny Fuss?"

interpreters of moribound blue laws.
"Isn't 1t Funny Fuss?"
"A public officer is given no discre-
ton in enforcing the law" said Mr..
Brown. He is sworn to enforce the
statutes, not to make them. That's
why I've started upon the unusual
course of keeping my oath of Office.
Isn't it funny that the spectacle Of a
man doing his duty should create such
a fuss?"
1t was, and 1 admitted it, but it
seemed also that there must be a story
back of such an unprecedented course.
This is your second term as sner-
iff," said 1. Why did you not enforce
these laws before?"
I'm no lawyer" said the Sheriff. Il
always had an idea that the city should
run these things, and that the law
found out that it was my duty to en-
force these laws, l did SO right away"
DO you think it's a good law which
prevents stores or saloons being open
on Sunday?'
Yes, sir, do" said Mr.. Brown, and
he stuck both hands in his pockets and
pushed his legs straight out in front
Of him as though he were ready, like
Ajax, to defy the lightning. But that
isn't the point. It's the law. If it is
not what the people want, let them go
to their representatives in the legis-
lature and tell them to repeal it. If
all the laws were enforced we would
get better laws and be better our
selves. Laws that are not wanted or
which cannot be enforced should be
repealed That's what the legislature
is for"
DO you think you can enforce a
Sunday closing law in Baker City?'
Il don't know" said the sheriff, and
new line of philosophy.
"A Nation Of Law. Breakers"
Did it ever strike you,' he asked,
that we as a nation are a nation Of
law breakers? It's a habit, this disre-
gard of the plain statutes. Nobody
thinks anything of it. Sheriffs take
oats and don't keep them. Never have
any idea of keeping them. Mayors
and district attorneys and chiefs of
police all do the same thing. Oaths of
office are farce. Perjury in this line
is a fiourishing felony that nobody
thinks anything of. 1t ought to be
stopped
And Sheriff Brown required again to
his main idea. Let's keep the laws we
have and if we don't like them, let's
repeal them, SO that a public officer
won't have to violate his oath of Of
flee every day of his life"
DO you find it hard to turn down
these committees of business men who
are bringing pressure to bear on you
to leave things alone?'
They shouldn't come to see me-"
protested the sheriff. They should go
and see the LEGISLATURE
An hour before two excited business
Ln Ta;c Il 81 lo
complained bitterly of the sheriff. Il
have known Harvey for years. grieved
dignant that he and mis- friends could
no longer break the law, land I'd never
have thought it, l voted for him and
worked for him, and now, he says to
me, you mustn't do this and you
mustn't do that and when we go to
him he says he can't help himself He's
crazy"
Don't you find it hard to turn down
your friends?" l asked.
Makes Friends and Enemies.
NV q ol'' Ihii upeo MI. oio"H.
No matter what you do, you've got
| friends and enemies on either side.
Therefore. keep the law"
All the logic and all the law seemed
| to be on the side of Mr. Brown, and
| there was nothing for an interviewer to
| do but agree monotOnously with all