The state herald., 1908-01-03
GOVERNOR BucHTEL's PROCLAIM.
ALTON TO DISTRICT ATToR.
NEYs AND PEACE OFFICERS.
SUPPRESSION OF VICE
ATTORNEY GENERAL MAY PRO.
csED AGAINST GAMBLING AND
ILLEGAL LIQUOR SELLING.

pdoihb hio attiou upOh tue law I'M
recently expounded by Judge Allen OF
the District Court in the food trust
prosecution, Governor Buchtel an
nouncos In proclamation that he
has arranged with Attorney General
Dickson to have violators of the state
laws against gambling and forbidden
liquor traffic prosecuted by the attor-
ney general In counties where the or
dinary peace officers are charged by
reputable witnesses with neglect OF
their duty.
Governor Buchtel's proclamation is
as follows:
State House. Denver. Colo.
Dec. rs, 1907.
ITO the District Attorneys and Peace
Officers of the State of Colorado
Greeting:
THE statutes of Colorado place GER
tain specific duties in the hands of
district attorneys and peace officers.
These officers are elected by the peo-
pie to execute the laws and keep the
peace. For the most part the dis
trict attorneys and peace officers of
Colorado are doing quite their whole
duty. 1t Is conceded by those who
have been for a long time familiar
with moral conditions In this state
that the laws are now better executed
than ever before In our history. This
Is exactly what we ought to expect.
Two years from this time, In the mid
die OF the term of office of my sue.
cessor, We ought to be able to say
again that the laws are better exc
cuted than ever before. The whole
struggle OF civilization is an effort TO
bring men to the point where they
will endure the stimulus OF high mo-
tives. In frontier communities Ger.
tain common vices are at first toler-
ated openly. In process OF time they
are restricted. and yet tolerated. In
the bost communities they are ulti-
mately prohibited absolutely and pros
ecutions follow whensoever the law
is violated.
"The most bitter opposition is al
ways directed against the efforts OF
the peace officers who set themselves
to the task OF executing the laws.
When these officers perform their du.
ties they are assailed by the whole
tribe OF law breakers-saloon men.
gamblers. prize fighters. harlots and the
mon who rent buildings for immoral
purposes. Seldom do district attor.
ncys and peace officers receive any
words OF encouragement from the law
keeping people. because these people
do not appear to think II necessary to
speak word OF approval to faithful
officers. So wish to praise the brave
men In ofiice who have done their
duty In the face OF all manner OF hos.
tiiity. In many localities In Colorado
there Ia now no open gambling and
no prize fighting
Ever since have been In ONCE as
governor ! have been consulting able
lawyers about my authority TO secure
the execution OF the laws against
these common vices In which young
men and young women are wrecked
for time and for eternity. ] have Sc
cured many opinions from sincere md
able men who were eager 10 give me
sound advice. have also secured
opinions from those who were insin.
cere; from men who desired TO EN-.
bnrrnns me In aid OF the political am.
billions OF insinccre men. But all these
opinions are In substantial agreement.
Every one admits that the governor
has no power to remove any Official
from ONCE who has been elected by
tho people"
The governor here discusses the au.
thority possessed by n state executive
and Qsotes from the report Of grand
jury nj Joplin. Missouri. lilo goes on
TO nay:
After long searching We have nj
last found n method OF aiding In the
execution Of the laws against the
common vices Of gambling and Illegal
liquor selling. In the history Of Colo
rado the attorney general has never
been required by the governor 10 20
into n District Court TO secure the exc
cution of any laws until within few
weeks. when tho attorney general.
the Hon. william II. Dickson. came 10
ask my authority. under our statutes.
10 enable him to proceed 10 dissolve
the food trust. Instantly issued the
necessary order. Al once II occurred
20 M. that We might proceed In the
same way a.aifst such common forms
of Nc. M gambling and illegal liquor
selling. Notwithstanding the fact that
this iH tn. duty OF district attorneys
and peace officers, ! therefore nd,
dressed . letter To III. attorney gen
cral on that subject And now have
tho attorney generals assurance that
wa can proceed against these forms Of
yio1 In tho District Courts of Colorado
and tina. ha will gladly undertake
such LEGAL proceedings NJ my request.
Tho authority OF the attorney general
10 institute proceedings In the Dis
trici Court % dissolve the food trust
was vigorously azaaiied by an army of
brilliant attorneys. His authority will
be asnaiied now by much infFer
army when W. Institute proceedings
aFainat tho crowd of law breakers who
are engaged IN illegal liquor selling
and gambling and other common
forms Of vice
y therefore appeal 10 hll district
attorneys aud peace officers "a proceed
n, once 10 do their whole duty In ase,
cutting all tho laws In any counties
whsrv such an extraordinary PRO.
reedias shall ba necessary, ! will give
the attorney general authority IN pro
eeas against breakers when the
nseavufy evidence IL brought 10 me
by rcputnhia citizens who viii nsrea
- t..a.. ..t.