Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1905-01-07
OPEN LETTER.


In looking through your valuable
journal dated December "a, | noticed
in the column devoted to the council
proceedings, the report of the judiciary
committee and the city attorney in
relation TO a petition presented to the
common council on October 4, of that
year, requesting the proper enforce
ment of certain sections of our state
liquor laws. 1t is with the recommen-
datious of this committee, to the report,
that should like to ask few ques-
tions and raise few points.
Is our common council tied to the
apron strings of the liquor interest?
They certainly seem to hold brief for
the saloons.
Whilst admitting that at present, the
saloon business is a legitimate one
and that it has the protection of the
law, why is it that this one trade has
the support of our authorities in the
matter of lawlessness? The committee
which corroborated with the city attor-
ney called the attention of the citizens
of Wauwatosa to a section of the Wis
consin statutes entirely irrelevant to
the question submitted. However, as
| it has been put forward for the pernsal
of the petitioners, | should like to ask
the council in an open letter why it is
not enforced? They certainly indiet
themselves when they submit this sec
ton and which was thus submitted,
Ostensibly to inform the petitioners,
that it is being violated. OF course, l
presume, the council (who adopted the
report and recommendation fancying
that the citizens of Wauwatosa are
unable to think for themselves, wish
to demonstrate that two blacks make
one white. The committee then quote
! Section 1851, which relates to persons
giving complaint as to violations of the
| liquor law, but it seems in face of Sec
| ton 1853, that this is not essential
unless the violations are carried on in
the dark and nobody knows of the
offence with the exception of the per-
son thus making complaint, whilst
Section 1851 leaves it to the option of
citizens to make complaint, Section
1853 is most emphatic in its commands
relating to the duties of city officials
Section 1853 reads as followsrJ
! Every supervisor, trus+ do{alder-
man, justice of the peace, r laotficer
marshal, deputy marshal, unstable
of any town, city or village mo shall
know or be credibly informs That any
offence has been committed against the
provisions of amy law of this state re-
lating to excise or the sale of intoxi-
eating liquors, shall make complaint
against the person SO offending within
their respective towns, cities, or viii
lagos, to proper justice of the peace
therein. and for every neglecbpr refusa
SO to do, every such officer shall forfeit
twenty five (25) dollars and the treas
urer of such town, city,fer village,
shall prosecute therefor"
Leaving this for the careful atten-
ton of the council, | should like to
ask, is conviction always necessary
to get IA law enforced? Also, if | was
to steal any article from one of the
stores. and | was seen by the marshal,
would it be essential that u specific
complaint be made against me before
could be arrested? For every offence
committed person can be arrested
without complaint; yet our council
! (who must certainly know their duties)
in an openfaced manner try to shift
their own responsibilities upon to the
shoulders of private citizens. Does the
mayor of this city forget SO soon his
oath of office?
The temperance element of Wauwa-
watosa have no i'll feeling and no
grudge against the saloon keeper as an
individual, but it is against his trade
they are fighting We want to see the
law respected and isa.9 the duty of all
good citizens whether temperance or
mott to bring influence to bear upon
our authorities so that the violations
(Which are going on openly regardless
of what the city marshal advised the
Judiciary committee to the contrary
shall speedily cease. 1t would not be
bad idea if some of the citizens of
Wauwatosa would remember IA few of
these things when they are called upon
to exercise their franchise in the spring.
a council, without any moral courage
or back bone, and who are Thy their
! recent action at the beck aud call of
one particular trade, is dangerous
burden to city which likes to cali
itself progressive. A change would
hurt nobody.
Thanking you in anticipation, for
throwing open your columns on behalf
of good government and fair admins
( tration, | am, respectfully,