Omaha daily bee., 1908-08-28
This is Governor Forts Proposed
Remedy for Atlantic City.
GRAND JURIEs HE CALLS FARCE
Unless Excise Law fs Observed SUM
dnv nt Resort ne Promises 40
Call session of the Leg
f.lnture.


the famous resort declaring the city TO be
under martial lsw.
This is the most drastic action ever taken
TO enforce a general law in New Jersey
Governor Fort. in his proclamation. ridi-
cuies the fiasco Of ten days ago. when a
grand jury at Mays Landing the county
seat, refused 10 find indictments and says
that the action was q buriesuue; that three
members Of the grand jury were owners
Of saloons in Atlantic City and that the
Others were in EvmpBt ny with the violators
of the law. The grand jury nov In session
is not likely to find indictments. the gov
ernor declares, and IN mis- proclamation ne
states that ne has RffidHvtts from James
c. SteelnRn and william Reeves Winters
stating that they purchased liquors last
Sunday In saloons operated by three mem
bers Of the grand jury.
The governor ssys ne can see hut one
Of two things to do under the ctrrum-
stances. First. call OUT the militia and
police Of Atlantic City. declaring the re-
sort TO be under martial law. This would
require an appropriation ny the Legislature.
Second he viii ask a special session Of the
legislature TO enact special legislation
authorizing him 70 appoint B disintsrested
commission 10 take charge Of the affairs
Of Atlantic City. He also wants law
authorizing him TO remove officers after
hearing, for failure 10 perform or who
wnfully refuse to DO their DUTY.
In his proclamation the governor incor-
porates an affidavit made by James
steelman and William Reeves Winters. In
which they declare that they purchased
liquors on Sunday in the open saloons Of
three grand jurors, Harry S. Graft
Anthony n Fuffu and W. s Stafford
GOvernor's Proclamation.
''The sheriff has made no effort TO en-
force the laws relative to selling liquors
on Sunday" the proclamation reads, the
chief Of police viii make no effort 10 en-
force these laws or the laws against Eamb-
ling or immoral houses and lewd women
unless so ordered by the mayor, and the
mayor refuses TO so order. Therefore, L.
as governor Of The state, propose to see
that the laws are enforced. and TO that
end ] will ask the legislature for power
TO remove delinquent officers and 10 other
wise enforce the laws.
Two methods suggest themselves as a
remedy when the officials resase and the
courts Of law are powsriess 10 punish the
wronEdoers.
First TO can out the militia and police
the city with soldiers and close up the
illegal places by the military arm Of the
state. This amounts 10 declaring martial
law.
Second. 10 call the legislature together
TO grant an appropriation TO cover the onst
of the military increase Of its being called
out or to enact Legislation 10 place the
drawing Of all juries in the hands of an
independent commission, that fair men may
be selected for this duty; and also 10 au-
thorize the governor or the courts 10 re-
move, after hearing, officials who wilfully
and perversely refuse 10 DO their duty
If a successful effort is not made by
the officials and citizens of Atlantic City
TO enforce the Sunday law against the sale
Of liquor. beginning Sunday next, Au-
gust 60 ] hereby. by this public statement.
notify the citizens Of The state that shall
forthwith issue a proclamation calling an
( extraordinary session of the legislature Of
the state, that Legislation may be enacted
/ under which the laws Of the stale may be
enforced IN all places and equally upon al
+ the people In the state, and ] call upon
AL good people IN tho state, without regard
70 party, creed or citizenship 10 take steps
( TO voice their sentiments upon the all
absorbing issue nov before the people ot
the state. namely, shall the laws be
obeyed?"
Instructions ~ Grand Jury.
! ATLANTIC CITY, n. J., Aug. gI.-su
prems Court Justice Trenchard addressed
the grand jury, which is meeting at May
Landing. investigating alleged violations o.
the liquor and anti-gRmblirag laws by
! residents Of Atlantic City, ans ne com
mRnded them either 10 find Indictment
or declare that the evidsnce In the Case
is insufficient The justice also told IN,
jury 10 remain in session untn the cAsei
are disposed of.
The grand jury al Mays Landing re
turned three indictments against aIleEet
gamblers but none against excise violatorl
81 AtlRrstic City this afternoon. Justic,
I TrenchRrd severely reprimanded the mem
bers Of the jury, declaring that he hat
been informed by Assistant District Attor
nsy Gaskln that there was sufficient evi
dsnce 10 warrant indictments against sxcis
violstors,
FOrt Creates Sensation.
Governor Forts proclamation created
sensation His drastic attitude on the sub
ject OF violations Of the Law WAS the sol
topic of conversation everywhere. Tn
grand jury is meeting again to-day
week ago the grand jury hREded dow
but TWO indictments against alleged vio
lHtors Of the Sunday liquor law. othe
charges being postponed. The follOwiu,
Sunday was declared by observers TO hEv
been more wide open" than ever before
As q severe storm Is prevailing and sum
mer visitors are leaving the resort In Erss
r1umberE, IL is possible that the gran
jury may conclude that the season ma
closed and act on the evidence Of Law
breaking that has beer presented by Count
Prosecutor GOldenburg and ths leaders O
the reform body who have been active j
lths efforts 10 bring about a different con
ditiu1E OF affairs here
For two years or more the Citizen
league hRF been active IN obtaining ev.
dence AERinEr alleged lEw-breEksrs. Tn
evidences, according 10 The league. has zee
Ignored BY the various grand 5uriss II
the custom for the grand jury 70 meet
the fail, after the summer season is owe.
] ard act on ths cases presented.
The members Of the jury usually mai
no secret of their lack OF sympathy wit
the effort 10 uUrrail the privileges OF plea
urs seekers who frequent the resort Js
saph sElus. the foreman Of the presaz