Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1908-02-02
ENFORCEMENT OF THE Law
Such Was the Tenor Of Addresses and Prevailing Senti
ment at States Attorneys Meeting..NeW Officers
Elected. Future Meetings to Last Two Days

afternoon session of the States Attor-
neys association yesterday made up in
importance and character of the pro-
ceedings what it lacked in attendance.
A number of members who were ex-
pected to attend were unavoldably abb
sent. Attorney General McCue was de-
tanned in the northern part of the, state
on legal business and his number OH
the program, Trusts and Combina
tions," was omitted in, consequence.
States Attorney Serumgaard of Devils
Lake, was also absent and his subject,
'The Primary Election Law, was not
discussed. The addresses of Judges
Spalding and Fisk of the supreme court
were listened to with the closest atten-
ton, and the theme of the speakers was
the same general admonition- enforce
the laws. Judge Spalding said in sub
stance on, the subject: Should the Law
Be Held in Respect"
This question seems to require no
answer, yet if the public was referee
the answer would depend whether the
law was good or bad one. Opinions
differ as to hat constitutes good or a
bad law. The word law in these days
stands supreme in the physical world.
1t is proper to enquire whether law
enacted for government of society stands
as supreme in it's realm as does physical
law in its. The preacher declares that
all law is of divine origin in that it
eminated from Him who is the law it
self and whose words of command to
men are the source of all law. The
socialist says there is no such thing as
natural law. Another class recognizes
laws which are thought to be beneficial
to it and condemns other laws"
The speaker traced the origin of law
saying it came from the Garden of
Eden and began with mans knowledge
of good and evil. The clash between
private interest in efforts to secure spe-
cial favors at the expense of the public
is seen in these days. The conflict be-
tween individual interests and those of
the states with congressional regulations
is also active. The city of Chicago is
not satisfied to be governed by laws
applicable to all the state The smaller
communities elsewhere imbibe the same
sentiment. In America, which is pop
ularly known as the home of the free,
with liberty the cornerstone, there are
many from foreign countries who have
no proper perception of liberty regu1at-
ed by law, or just regard for rights
of others. Certain classes of immigrants
think liberty is absence of law and are
supported in this view by demagogues
and ificeseekers. But the lawabiding
elefent is encouraged in these days by
wave of law enforcement which has
swept the country. It matters not
whether it is in dealing with the small
est, dirtiest and binding pig west of the
Missouri, or whether it has touched
those who revel in luxury, hlched from
those who toll, or directed against the
highest official of the land.
There is no means" said tire speak
er, so potent for the education of pub
lie sentiment as the faithful enforcement
of the law. No excuse exists for its
non-enforcement by public officials, and
1t is idle to say that it cannot be en-
forced in a county where favorable pub
lie sentiment does not exist This is
not intended to mean any single law
but all laws
The judge admonished and urged the
states attorneys to be diligent in en-
forcing the laws, a duty that has been
entrusted to them by their constituents.
At the conclusion of Judge. Spalding's
remarks, Judge Fisk spoke at length on
matters OF interest to the attorneys and
the people of the state He said in eff
feet that he fully appreciated the honor
of addressing the states attorneys of
the state and felt his inability to do
the subject justice, but decided it 10 be
his duty to lend what assistance he
could by his presence to advance the
interests of the association. The pur-
pose Of the association was most
commendabie one and he believed that
much good would come from the meet
ings. In the administration of the Grim
inal law the Office of the states attorney
IS one OF the most important created by
the constitution. On the states attor-
ney is placed the duty of enforcing the
statutes defining public wrongs and pre-
scribing penalties for their violation.
Such duties are rightlys entrusted to
those learned in law and elected directly
by the people. Public functions Of every
nature are best entrusted to those elect
ed directly by and responsible to the
people. In the administration Of the
riminal statutes one ifportant matter
hat states attorneys should bear in
mind is that at all times the rights Of
the accused should be as carefully
/ Guarded and the oaoo1a ,~oeNa. = 4