Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1909-03-01
AccoNr1rcrs IN CRIME

Ir tns Railroad Tmumens Journal
some time ago. there appeared an tom
which can boz recommended Co Che
uauFhtm consideration OF an adj
vocates OF The saloon traffic. a pris-
oucr had been convicted Of murder and
was asked by the judge Or Doe had any
| thing 90 Say why sentence should not
| boz pronounced The prisoner rose
and slowly said DE had Tie thought
bee could prove that he was not alone
responsible Tor the murder.
This announcement created q trc-
mcudous sensation The judge leaned
over 90 hear what was TO follow. and
| thoro was excitement among the spec
tator. Then the prisoner said;
"I repeat your honor that ] am not
/ the only one guilty Of the murder of
my wife The Judge on bis bench, the
jury u the box, the lawyers within
I this bar and most OF the witnesses,
including the pastor OF the old church.
are also guilty before Almighty God,
and win have % stand with me be-
f0rC His judgment throne where we
shall au Doe righteously Judged II 30
/ had not been for the saloons of my
town / never would have become
druukard. my wife would not have
been murdered. I would not be- here,
now ready 90 be hurled into eternity
Had 90 not been for these human traps
I would have been n sober man, an
industrious workman. q tender father
and loving husband But today my
home is destroyed. my wife murdered
my little Chudren-God bless and care
for them-cast out on the mercy of the
world. while ] ann TO Doe hung by the
strong arm OF the state. God knows
] tried 90 reform but as long as the
open saloon was in my pathway my
weak. diseased will power was 10
match against the fearful consuming,
oconiziug appetite for liquor For one
year our town was without a saloon.
For one year 7 was sober man, for
one year my wife and children were
happy and our little home was para
disc. / was one of those who signed
a romOnstranCe against rc-opening the
saloons OF our town. One-half OF this
jury the prosecuting attorney in this
case, and the judge who sits on this
bench. all voted for the saloons. BY
their votes and influence saloons were
rc-opened and these have made me
what I am"
The Judge made a motion as II 90
stop tho speech. whereupon the COM
demned man asked for the privilege cf
finishing his remarks. He continued;
OF began my downward career at a
saloon bar legalizcd and protected by
the voters Of this town After the sa-
looms you allowed have made me
drunkard and a murderer, ] am taken
before another bar-the bar Of justice,
and now the law-pOwer will conduct
mo TO the place OF execution and ha stem
my soul into eternity. L shall appear
before another bar-the judgment bar
OF God, and there you who have legal
lied the traffic viii have TO appear with
me- Think you that the Great Judge
viii hold me the weak, helpless victim
of your traffic alone responsible for the
murder of my wife, Nay, I In my
frcnzied. irresponsible condition, have
murdered one but You have deliberate
~ voted for the saloons. which have
murdered thousands, and they are IN
full operation today, with your cou-
sent All of you know in your hearts
that these words OF mine are not the
raving OF an unsound mind. but God
Almighty's truth. You legalized the
saloons that made me a druukard and
"a murderer. and you are guilty with me
before God and for the murder OF my
wife Your honor I am done / am
now ready TO receive my sentence and
be- Ted forth 20 the place of execution.
] win close bv s1lemnly asking God
90 open your blind eyes 20 your own
individual responsibility go that you
viii cease 90 give your support 20 this
dreadful tranlc."
We beg 90 call the attention % the
members of the majority of the Senate
Co this truth SO soIemuly declared For
80 Us The truth. Tho people OF Utah
are asking their legislators for a law
that WIN close the saloons in the
State. They are asking for protection
for The homes against au institution
that breaks hearts and homes and
breeds murder and au kinds Of crime
VIII you turn O. deaf ear Go their petit
lions. their prayers1 We cannot be-
I.ge thI. We cannot believe that amy
Utah legislator .s so Intimately anu.at-
as with che liquor interests as 10 not
/ He ahIe to take Independent action
when urged to do e1 by Inc people.