Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1904-02-09
ENFORCE TIKI LAWS.

On sunday last, the following clr1u-
lar was presented to the gentlemen
members of several of the churches of
our city, viz
DEAR SIR
Ever since the terrible tragedy in the
| lrOquois theater, the cry has been long
| and loud from all directions for careful
1 investigation which shall Tx the re-
sponsibility. We heartily concur in
/ this demand No laws affecting the
| safety of human life can be too severe
and no apologies for their non-enforce
ment should be accepted by those in
authority Chicago on Dec. 80 paid the
price of indifference, liberation and
lawlessness, but Chicago and the man
| ayers of the Iroquois theater are not
the only ones who lave siEaed in this
respect.
In every city and town in our land
there is a disregard for certain laws
which, If enforced would be for the
betterment of our nation physically,
mentally and morally We most re-
spectfully, earnestly and prayerfully
commend to the attention of the Chris
| tian citizens of Wausau the enforce
ment of these laws in our own city.
Now while there is a wave of enthusi-
asm in regard to enforcement of laws
for the preservation of human lives, is
the time to act. A Christian man of cur
city has urged us to agltate the subject
of driving out the slot machines which
he says are greatly in evidence.
A few years ago, by the action of sew
eral citizens, these We're entirely done
away with. Will you not again act as
promptly and efficiently We cannot
afford To have our boys and girls accus-
tom themselves to these slot machines
veritable schools for gambling
We further call to your attention the
action of our sister city, Appleton.
Why can not Wausau stand shoulder to
shoulder with her in this heroic fight.
Appleton has closed her Sunday thea
tres-why can not Wausau do the same?
Appleton is in a fair way to secure en-
forcement of saloon regulations,
including the Sunday closing law.
Why can not Wausau strengthen
the cause by working along the same,
lines? BY unanimous vote of the Wom-
ems Christian Temperance Union it was
decided to place this matter before you
the Christian men Of our city-with
a most earnest PRAYER that some united
effort may result We have no sug-
gestions to offer as 10 the way this
better than we do how it can best be
done. If there is anything you think we
busy wives and mothers for the most
part can do, conscientiously, to assist
you, as an organization, or as individ-
pals, we shall be glad to respond to
your cali. Respectfully submitted,
See. w. c. T. IT,
The matter of Sunday closing is a
question that has been up before the
people of this community, and in fact,
about every city and town in the state
has tried its hand in enforcing the state
law, but have always met with failure.
The PILOT is certainly in favor of en-
forcing every law on the books, wheth-
er, national, state or city, but all must
be treated alike or nothing can be ,ac-
complished; it is not possible to enforce
a law by making few comply with it
and allowing others to break It with
impunity. For instance, at Appleton
there was strong sentiment worked
up to enforce the Sunday law The
saloon men said "all right, we will
close, of our own accord, but we insist
that the law be enforced to the letter,
or we will open again" The paper
mills, employing thousands of men,
run Sundays the same as on other days,
the proprietors claim they cannot do
otherwise without great loss. The
saloon keepers also claimed that it was
violation of the law to pass Sunday
papers; to keep the theater open; deliv-
er milk; to keep barber shops and meat
markets open, and to keep the gas and
water works in operation. We are in
formed that the people of Appleton
could do nothing with the paper mills
and other institutions and the saloons
were, as a consequence, running wide
open again on Sundays. a person &C
cused of breaking the laws, has the
right of trial by jury, and what is to
be done when jury of twelve renders
a verdict of mot guilty" as has been
the case in Wausau on several occa-
sions. There was time when stores,
barber shops and meat markets were
kept open on Sundays in Wausau.
They are now kept closed on the Sab
bath day This is due to public opin-
ion and when public opinion demands
that saloons and other institutions be
closed on the Sabbath day, it will be
done for iuries can then be found that
will render decisions in conformity to
the law II is the agitation of these
matters that will bring about the de-
sired effect and there is no society in
existence that is doing more good than
is the W C. t. u. along these lines.
The PILOT would suggest that the per-
son who gave the information to the
w G.. T. Z. about slot machines, also
give the same information to the Chief
of Police, Thomas Malone. There are
slot machines for music, gum, peanuts,
but the gambling slot machines were
ordered destroyed by Mayor Marehetti
some time ago. There may be some of
those kind in operation, but if there are
the PILOT hardly thinks that the chief
of police is aware of the fact. There is
no reason for having the disreputable
slot machine, professional gambling,
wine rooms or such in our city, and in
formation that such things exist, no
matter to what extent, they can and
viii! be eradicated As to Sunday clos
ing the PILoT is in the same position
that the w c. I. U. finds itself No
suggestions to offer" that viii prove
effective other than made in this article