Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1905-12-11
PLEA FOR PURITY IN OMAHA
ssrmop Preached by Rev, ]. E. HummOr
Urging Vir.us in ,ivic Life.
LAWS NOT RlGIDLY ENFORCED, He SAYS
ADMITTING City L. Not wholly Bad
Minister Insists on need OF stricter
Adherence to Principles of
RiEhteousness,

Rev, J. r. Hummon Of Kountze Memorial
church preached Sunday morning on the
question, could Omaha Be Improved?'
His text was, Take away the dross from
the silver and the finest remains; and take
away the wicked from the kingdom and
His throne will be established in righteous
ness"
The topic involves the idea i'm itself that
Omaha IL good Many discoveries are now
being made in public affairs of evils and
iniquities in high places. Men are being
brought TO justice who have held positions
Of great trust until now they are old. This
causes Us TO stop and think and from this
Gomez forth the fact that 1t is all caused
by violation OF laws. Lawlessness reigns
now and has for some time.
Many public officials, not true to official
obligations give as an excuse want of
public opinion TO support them. They claim
they must have public sentiment to back
them before they can enforce the laws.
This theory has been exploded by Weaver
in Philadelphia, jerome in New York, John
son IN Minnesota, LaFollette of Wisconsin,
Folk OF Missouri and Roosevelt Of the whole
country These men have the public with
them now. but they did not wait for pub
lie sentiment before striking the blows for
ment. These are the kind Of men Omaha
needs today in it's executive offices, men
who will see that the laws and ordinances
are enforced to the very letter or else let
the people of Omaha stir up a sentiment
which will compel these officials to en-
force the laws and ordinances.
Not Exceptionally Bad.
II do not believe that Omaha is OK
ceptionally bad city. on the other hand, /
do know there is plenty of good within its
borders, although there is that which de-
tracts from its growth and retards its
progress.
Omaha is good. but could be better. Pre-
vailing lawlessness does exist in the city
There is a weakness in the execution of the
laws rather than a weakness in the laws
themselves. Nearly every Sunday afternoon
/ sec 100 to 200 boys lined UP waiting for
the gallery of the theaters to open, where
they will see and hear sensational plays
which stimulates and hastens their ruin. l
see members of the various churches going
TO playhouses on Sunday. l see saloons, the
blight of American manhood running wide
open in violation CT the law / am informed
that houses are open in this city where
young girls are enticed 1 am informed
that gambling games are run right under
the nose of the police officers
More could be told but this should be
enough TO arouse the earnest attention of
every citizen OF Omaha to throw himself
upon the altar to cleanse the city Of the
sins which are blighting its life. l am in
fun sympathy with any movement which
has for it's object the cleaning up of things,
whether in church or city life.
My sympathies are with the man in pub
lie office, but when that official has shown
himself unworthy withdraw my sympathy.
Our government is the best in the world
and our laws have stood the test of time.
All citizens OF Omaha should be in favor of
a strict enforcement of the laws. Omaha
may have such men as Folk within its bord-
crs, but ! do not believe they occupy the
executive Offices Let us be ready for the
fight at the next municipal election"