Cañon City record., 1906-08-09
EXPERT FAVORS COTTONWOOD
AS A SOURCE OF BETTER WATER
Council Committee Engage
Made Estimate Cost-Ctizens'
to Kno Why e


Monday night was one of the most i'm
portant in the recent history OF that
body and its proceedings were watched
by a large gathering of citizens who
had been drawn to the city hall by the
report that business of unusual inter
est would come up for consideration.
Perhaps the matter of greatest mo-
ment to the public was the petition. or
rather the inquiry of a committee rep
resenting the Fremont County Anti
Saloon League, which came before the
council and asked the mayor why the
Canon City Labor Club. of which Joe
Walton Is manager. had not been sup
pressed in accordance with the pro-
visions of the resolution adopted a
month ago by which it was declared
a. menace to public morals.
The committee was followed into the
council room by between sixty and
seventy men who were anxious to
learn why no steps had been taken by
the police authorities OF the city to
enforce the decree Of the council in
relation to the abating of the alleged
nuisance.
On behalf OF the committee c. F.
Pressey informed the mayor that Wal
ton and his associates continued to
conduct an Illegal traffic In intoxicants
at 6lo Main street and wanted TO know
why no effort had been made TO en-
force the ordinance against the sale of
liquors within the city limits and drive
them out of business. Mr.. Pressey de-
defective in such cases as walton's or
whether there was disinclination on
the part of the mayor and the police
authorities to invoke IL for his pun
ishment. He said that Walton and his
gang were openly and Hagranty vio-
iating the ordinances OF the city based
upon popular will and that TO allow
them TO continue their dssreputable
and debauching business would be to
bring all law into disrespect and con-
kinds.
As Hr. Pressey's remarks were ad-
dressed to Mayor Coulter the latter re-
piled by stating that nobody deplored
more than himself the violation of law.
whether the statutes OF the state or
the ordinances of the city. He said
that the powers conferred upon him
as mayor were OF n rather uncertain
character and did not transcend those
of the various aldermen which COM
posed the city council. While he had
not employed an attorney to define his
prerogatives as the chief executive of
the city he would gladly invoke all of
the police power at his command to
suppress the sale OF intoxicating liq-
uors by the Canon City Labor Club.
or any other alleged nuisance, when
ever he was shown by a reputable law
yer that had the legal right TO do So
According TO his understanding of the
law he was not invested with the pow
er TO abate the nuisance complained
Of; that was the province OF the courts
Mr.. Coulter explained his position at
length. saying that there was not a
man among those who were criticising
his inactivity that would not do pre-
cisely as he WAS doing II they occupied
his place. He had always obeyed the
law himself and MS citizen was ready
to compel its obedience by others. for
without its protection society could
not exist. He would be glad to enforce
- atl L.. r.ta
ton to the abatement of the alleged
nuisance at 6l0 Main street II he had
the power. and would do SO II shown
that II was his duty. He said that he
was elected mayor by the people OF all
parties and could not show partially
or favoritism In the execution OF the
laws of the city, which were made for
all classes of people. Mr.. Coulter
closed by repeating his willingness to
drive Walton and his associates of the
Labor Club out OF buiness In obedi-
ence to the resolution whenever 1t was
shown that he had the legal right to
do so. He said that he had advised
Marshal Houston to execute the reso-
luton by closing up Walton's place
of business. as he did not believe the
marshal would incur any personal la
biilty for damages in the courts by
carrying out the DEGREES OF tho council.
Other addresses Of similar tenor
to Mr.. Pressey's were made by Rev. A.
F. Chaffee, Captain H. NJ. Mingay. j. d,
Biggs and Rev. Mcmillan. and to each
OF them Mayor Coulter explained the
situation in which he was placed and
promised to do everything In his power
to abate the alleged nuisance which