The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1908-03-03
OGDEN IS TO Be
SPOTLESS TOWN
Ministers and Saloon Men Con-
fer With Mayor Brewer
Commissioners Unite.

The reform movement in Ogden is
spreading rapidly since Mayor Brewer
opened up the way by making Ogden
dry town on Sunday and closing the sa-
looms at u o'clock midnight Yesterday
the entire membership of the Ministerial
association called upon the mayor and
when their conference with the city ex-
ecutive had ended representatives of the
retail liquor dealers called at the city hall
The first-named organization went to the
mayor TO commend him upon the stand
he had taken and the latter to protest
and to get a better understanding as TO
what his policy would be with regard to
their interests in the future. Then to back
II all up, along came a communication
from The board of county commissioners,
addressed to the city council, last evening
and this. too, was filled with propositions
form movement
The ministers were accorded a hearty
welcome by the mayor who promptly in
formed them that he was not acting in
the matter referred to because their as
ISOLATION had desired it, but because he
believed ii to be for the best interests OF
all the people. The spokesman for the
ministers Informed Mr. Brewer that they
were anxious that lie should not be too
radical and Endorsed his suggestion that
one thing at time was all that could be
taken up. and that when that was settled
for all time il would be time enough to
take up something else
1t is understood that many things in
tended to make Ogden ''Spotless Town
were discussed. This included the closing
of the theatres on Sunday. 1t is not un-
likely that this will be accomplished
within a sh Ort time. The ministers are of
the opinion that the playhouses attract
many persons who. if the theatres were
closed would attend services at their
churches. In fact. the argument in favor
of closing Sunday theatres is much the
same as that presented against the Sun
day saloons.
The saloon men had a long talk with
the mayor. who informed them that his
stand was such that he would not revoke
the orders that had been issued a few
days ago regarding Sunday closing. He
also assumed the position that their other
suggestions regarding the allowing of sa-
looms to be open after Il o'clock at night
during the week. etc. would be consd-
cred. 1t was claimed by some of the
saloon men that some of the cOuncilmen
had asserted that they had not been con
suited in the matter and were opposed 20
the action that had been taken.
The communication of the county COM
mlssioners sent to the council last night
was for the purpose of promoting har-
mony and good will by concerted legal
ditiOns
The commissioners refer to the powers
OF the council, among which is: THE city
has the power to suppress and prohibit
bawdy houses houses of i'll fame assig-
nation, lewdness, prostitution, etc, etc"
ing and prohibiting selling or giving in
toElcantS TO minors, insane persons and
habitual drunkards, etc.
The commissioners hold that in directing
the affairs of the city and county govern
ment 1t sometimes is found difficult TO
determine where the duty of each COM
mences and ends, and that this condition
has caused unpleasant friction between
the two governing bodies. Especial atten-
ton is called TO the caring for the indi-
gent poor which falls upon the county
Mlthout intent TO find fault the commits
sloners say that they sense the fact that
II IS comparatively an easy matter TO
frame or enact laws and place them on
the statute books. but that it is not so
easy a matter to enforce them.
Attention is directed TO the meeting of
the board with the chief of police a week
ago, which was held for the purpose of a
more rigid enforcement of the state and
city laws for the suppression of certain
evils. A considerable portion of the letter
is directed toward the habitual drunkards
VINO II IS charged, have been permitted to
hang and loiter around saloons and opium
dens until theY have become SO democrat
lied with alcoholic diseases and the de-
oaslng effects Of morphine that the coun-
treatment.
number of cases in point with their
contention are cited and the commission
erS hold that in cases where poverty or
as the result of the alcoholic traffic from
which the city receives a large license.
such expense was never anticipated under
the law to fall upon the county As a
remedy for the evil they set forth: The
habitual drunkard should be restrained
when found in the saloon by having him
placed in Jail and he should be required
TO work on the rock pile until he fur
nishes evidence of reform The saloon
keeper selling liquor to such unfortunates
should have his license revoked
The notifying of the saloon men that
the loiterer and the habitual drunkard
must be barred from their premises is adj
Vocated. The communication closes with
the statement that the commissioners
have instructed the county attorney AMI
the sheriff to use their best efforts to To-
cate and prosecute all cases such as are
referred to.