Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1905-12-14
ENFORCE LAW, STOP SCANDAL.


Almost every city OF considerable size
IN the country IL infested with Grim
inals who do not scrupe TO use vlo-
lence for the accomplishment of their
evil purposes. The newspapers all over
the land publish particulars Of bur
glaries, safe-craoking, highway rob-
berries hold-ups, and similar oifenses,
perpetrated in places where there are
large numbers OF peace Officers and
stringent laws against the evils that
disturb society. Occasionally there Is
an outburst OF some particular form
OF lawessness, requiring more than
ordinary measures for public protection.
They run their course, Ike epldemics
of disease, but although they are to
some extent suppressed, they are never
entirely obliterated
Salt Lake city, just now, Is bur-
dened with the presence Of few GRIM
finals known as sandbaggers. They
approach their victims In shades Of
night, strike them down noislessly and
rob them OF their yalaubles. Extra
vigilance on the part Of the police viii
probably result in the capture Of the
cruel and cowardly villains. who should
receive the pull penalty of the laws
for such cases made and provided,
Some time ago the city was invaded
by a gang of burglars, who for time
spread terror through the town. The
chief culprits, after while, were
scare died out These are no new evils
in this region or elsewhere. They are
not peculiar to any city administra-
ton or special to any particular point.
When pressed In one part OF town, the
criminals fee to another With such
limited police force as is employed in
this municipality, II is unfair to charge
these evils upon officers who perform
their duty. 1t Is Impossible for any OF
them to be in two places at once.
II is customary with some canpers
in finding fault with those who are In
charge of municipal affairs, To raise
a great cutlery against the civic Off
Gals. as though they We're responsible
for the crimes that are committed. II
they are dietory, or negligent, or in
different to these lawless acts, II Is
right to hold them up to public censure.
But when they are doing their utmost
to execute the law and maintain the
peace and protect the city, II Is wrong
and despicable to falsely accuse them.
Special efforts should undoubtedly be
made for the arrest and severe punlsh-
ment OF the thugs who have commit
ted the outrages reported by the press
of this city. II they are treated to the
same medicine administered by one OF
the city police to burglar not very
long ago there would be no complaint
from any rational source. Or IL prl-
vate citizen attacked by thug should
give him a dose Of leaden pills, the
public would be likely to applaud
rather than censure the act.
Pedestrians should be more than or
dinariy cautious after dark. and keep
a sharp lookout for individuals Turk
ms In the shadows, Unless the police
force is very largely increased, It will
be utterly Impossible to place an Off
Ger on every street, or even at every
point likely TO be infested with rob
bers. sim, extra exertions should be
put forth to remedy the wrong COM
planned or \ special force may be nee
essary. That, however, must be au-
;horized by the Mayor and City Coun-
ci
But after ALL is this city any worse
In the respect mentioned than other
cities with as large population? We
think not. Count up all the cases that
have recently occurred OF street rob-
berries or Of housebreaklng, and they
DO not form a formidable figure nor an
unfayorable comparison with such do
lngs In other parts Of the country. At
this season Of the year such deeds OF
violence and crime as those referred to
may be expected, at places approach
able by the railroads, Measures ought
undoubtedly to be taken to meet their
recurrence.
But is there any sense in proclaimIng
10 the country that Salt Lake fayors
he incoming Of criminals; that It is a
hotbed Of vice; that It's constabulary
wink at violence and close their eyes
against crime? Cannot efforts be made
70 hunt down the few sneakIng, muir.
ferrous vagabonds who have come to
,own and put them where they belong,
without holding up the city as a
Mecca for the lawless? WIN capital
and enterprise be attracted by such in
famous falsehoods as are told concern.
ns the situation here?
Are the ISLANDERS that have been con.
inuously uttered against this state
and It's people justified or verified BY
half a dozen cases OF street robbery,
,r the existence of some gambling
aouNes and other evil resorts that are
common to Il cosmopolitan population a?
We think not. and We are supported in
sur opinion by the great body OF re-.
'ptctaole citizens, who see through the
hin gauze of pretended purity pulled
wer the designs OF the scandalmon.
'-rs and libelers, who pose as cham.