Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1906-11-27
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AWAKENED PUBLIC CONSCIENCE

AWAKENED PUBLIC CONSCIENCE.
There seems to be growing sentl-
ment in favor of the enforcement OF
the laws upon the statute books all
over the country, if for no other rea-
son than that the real public sentiment
NAV be arrived at. 1t is pretty certain
that no law can long endure the pro-
visions of which, if enforced, runs
counter to public sentiment. There
are undoubtedly obnoxious laws upon
the statute books but how is this fact
to be proved except by their enforce
ment? There is general awakening
of civic pride and an appreciation
of moral ethics throughout the country
that is encouraging. Recently the
mayor of Columbus gave it out that
the law closing saloons at midnight
and on Sundays would be strictly en-
forced as we'll as other municipal regu-
laticns and this declaration is fol-
lowed up by action. Governor Harris
of Ohio writes the mayor letter of
strong approval in which he says:
I should like to see the mayors of
other cities emulate the example of
Mayor Badger. believe in the en-
forcement of all laws while they
remain on the statute books.
Evolutions do not go backward, and
I believe that any agitation for the
Sunday laws will be more apt to
result in sentiment for legislative
; action making their enforcement
easier than for their repeal
In this state there is a wide diff
ference of opinion as to the best
means of controlling the liquor evil
and it is an open question whether the
majority believe the present system
of constitutional prohibition is as
beneficial to society, and morals ais
some other regulation that might be
evolved. In the meantime the law is
on the statute book. There are those
who believe it will always remain
there. Others believe its strict en-
forcement would result in its repeal.
Until it is repealed there remains but
one thing for self-respecting officials
under their cath to do. Certainly the
present system of blind pigs is de-
grading and indefensible. The pigger
is a sponge upon the community.
He cannot afford to be anything else
The penitentiary is constantly staring
him in the face. He returns nothing
to the community that supports him.
He rears no structures, pays no taxes.
He causes police and court expenses
and does not contribute to the pay
ment thereof. He tempts the tippler
beyond his capacity and not infre-
quent1y takes from him the earnings
that belong to his family. He receives
moneys that ought to be paid the mer-
chant who conducts a legitimate bust
ness, pays the taxes and builds up the
city. He lures the youth and saps his
vitality and destroys his manhood and
his future usefulness. And yet there
are those who declare that these
stb1ind institutions" are a necessary
evil. How do We know, unless the
law is Observation-Disclosures and there
but everywhere. The Tribune has
been "a consistent advocate of resub-
mission. In the meantime it has also
advocated the enforcement of the
laW-on more than one occasion stat
ing that until the effort--hone EFFORT
was made by every community to
enforce the law its resubmission was
extremely doubtful. .Resubmission
would result in demonstrating one OF
two conditions. If prohibition again
carried its enforcement would be com.
parativeIy easy and much more mex,
pensive than at present. II a majority
believe that some other system should
/ be adopted then the declarations Of
\ those who have so claimed will be
recognized by that element who be
4 lieve otherwise, and some sort Of dis
pensary Or strict regulation under an
option system will be adopted.
AsSs5 III