The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-07-14
IT IS NO EXCUSE.
Governor Hoch Discusses En-
forcementof the Law.
Adverse Public Sentiment
Shouldn't Be Considered.
POSITION rs A MENACE.
officers Don't Appreciate the
Solemnity of Oath.
POSITION rs A MENACE,
Calls Attention to Success Of
People Who Enforce Laws.

Governor Hoch, however, made good
use Of his opportunity to take a shot
at Mr.. Jerome of New York, the man
who was especially attacked by Gov
ernor Folk. Hoch evidently has
mighty little use for Jerome. The
rest of Governor Hoch's speech was
devoted to remarks touching the en-
forcement of the prohibitory law and
other laws. He said in part:
This is republic of law. Govern
ment," said Henry Clay, sis trust
and the officers of the government are
trustees" Law" said Holland, sis
the very bulwark of our liberties"
Let the sanctity of law said Lincoln,
''be taught to our children in the pub
lie schools, preached from our pulpits
proclaimed by the press, and en-
shrined in the hearts of all the peo-
pie"
If there is one need in this country
greater than another it is not the
need of more laws. It is a revival of
respect for the laws we already have.
If laws are unwise they should be
amended or repealed, but while they
are laws they should be obeyed and
enforced. And the best way to prove
that law is bad is to enforce it," said
Grant. When any question OF govern
mental concern is up for original dis
| cussion it is the privilege of every
ClllZen TO nave ana 10 express freely
and without restraint his opinion upon
the subject. But when the matter has
| been crystallized into law it passes
out of the domain of discussion. It is
no longer a legitimate subject for con-
| troverSy. There is then but one duty
| of the officer and that is to enforce the
| law and but one duty for the citizen
| and that is to obey it. No officer has
| the right to select the law he will en-
| force, and no citizen has the right to
| q
officer who refuses to fulfill the obi
cation of his solemn oath is absolute
| ly unfit for public service, and should
be branded with contempt by every
good citizen.
Public Sentiment Doesn't Count.
| The specious plea that any law is
under the ban of an adverse public
sentiment as an excuse for official
| ton. The officer did not make the
law and is not Responsible for its
| making. He has 1othing to do with
pubic sentimentsSS4Ea did not swear to
obey public sentiment. He swore to
enforce the law. -
LET me say to you" said Judge ].
T. Dickerson, of the federal court in
the Indian Territory in recent adj
| dress, that I believe one of the worst
| evils of our government at this time is
| the lack of appreciation of the solemn
/ ity of an official oath that many peo-
pie have in official positions. How can
| All OIIlCeT OF Ine law, ne COnClnueS,
| ''go in and out of saloons, joints, drug
| stores where Intoxicating liquors are
| being sold, winking one eye and wis
| pering low in the presence of the vio-
lators of the law he has solemnly
sworn to uphold? How can such per-
fdX be permitted in a civilized coun-
try?"
My fellow citizens, this disregard
of official obligations by the chosen
representatives of government and
this WideSnread 7iSrapard Of law IJn0O
the part of the people is alarming. It
is seen not only in the fragrant dis
regard of such laws as the prohibitory,
fanti-gambling and similar enact
realm of great commercial enterprise.
Railroads which derive their very life
from the people. whose corporate ex-
istence is conferred upon them by the
| state, and which are under obliga-
tions to every individual alike, by an
infamous system of rebates favor the
interests of a few to the destruction
of the interests of many. Grain deal
the law and rob the people. Concen-
trated capital and organized effort in
all the fields of human enterprise,
necessities of modern times, degene-
rate into miserable scrambles for com
mercial supremacy regardless of law.
There Is Bright Side.
This, my fellow citizens, is the dark
side of the picture Thank God,
a
light of intelligent investigation is be-
ing thrown upon these transactions
and the people are being aroused as
never before. And let no one fear
that the intelligence and courage and
integrity of the American people will
in the end be inadequate to meet the
great emergency.
Why is it that men like Theodore
Roosevelt, Governor LaFollette, Gov
ernor Hanly, and the distinguished
! If of IF
citation today, stand like mountain
peaks in public life at this time? Why
is it that they are sought more than
others by Chautauqua assemblies? Is
it because they are the most eloquent
orators in the land? Is it because
better than others they can indulge
in flights of impassioned oratory
Without discourtesy, no. 1t is be-
cause they stand out among their fell
lows as conspicuous representatives OF
this great new movement which is
coming up out of the hearts of an in
telligent and patriotic people, this de<
mand for higher ideals in public life
for greater official efficiency and in
tegrity, for cleaner, better govern
ment-in a word, for civic righteous
ness. 1t is a hopeful sign of the times
1t is an omen big with promise of bet
ter things.
Let Standard Oil monopolists, beef trust
conspirators, rebate manipulators, law.
nullifiers of all kinds, gamblers, boodlers
and grafters read the hand writing on tbs
wall and let the law-abiding. law-lovins
citizen take courage, and catching the IN
spiration of this great movement, lend &
hand TO its onward sweep and supremacy
Takes Rap at jerome.
1t was a matter of great surprise to ms
| as it doubtless was to you, my fellow cit
liens, that so distinguished representa-
& tive of law enforcement as Mr.. Jerome
should come to the west with a message o
weakness rather than strength, of criti
cism rather than commenda ton. of hind
rance rather than help, to those who ar
striving to uphold the standards of goo.
government, whose fundamental princi
S pies have briefly outlined in this shor
s address. His views may may not re
feet the sentiments of his own state, I
| which he is personally amenahle, but h
| can not without protest be permitted {