The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1909-02-25

We'll huOWu TO all OF our C1C1Ze0 ana
seems to have received the sanction of
the people, as the records will disclose
that those in authority, and responsible
for this condition, were repeatedly re-
elected, the action of the people by
this expression O. approval, conclusive
~ amounting to a ratification, notwith-
standing the provisions of Section 1864
| am reminded that some of the past
chief executive officers of this city, re-
sponsible for this condition, still enjoy
the confidence and respect of our peo-
pie; have been honored with other i'm
portant positions of trust, and are
esteemed as highly as any other of our
citizens.
| am Informed that such a. tacit und
erstanding or permission, or one ex
tremely more liberal, has for years ex
listed and does now exist in nearly every
progressive and prosperous city in Wis
consin.
! This permission is contrary to the
wording Of the statute, but it is posi-
bic than men may disagree as to the
intent of the legislature as to the eff
feet of the statute and so far as it's
enforcement is concerned
L note that you offer to specify par
ticular cases where the law is being
violated, and that you have suspicious
that the "nuisance has not abated''
and that the law is being violated by
reading the report of can Unusual
Robbery in the "Evening News" of
January 25th.
[ am not responsible for what ap-
pears in the Evening News" neither
am [ willing to concede that the state
ment you refer to can be considered as
evidence of the violation of Section
1864.
| note also what you say in regard
to the violations of Section 4531. If
you have sufficient evidence of any
violation, [ see no objection to filing
complaint before the proper tribunal
and exercising the privileges accorded
you under the law.
AS mayor Of the city and it's chief
executive officer, [ am but the servant
of the people answerable to the citizens
of Kenosha, and as such [ shall strive
to execute the will of the people, and
when the people by a majority of the
electors express their will that the sa-
looms be closed entirely on Sunday, I
will do my utmost to comply with and
execute that expressed will.
In conclusion, I beg to assure you
that I am fully advised as to the ex-
tent of my authority in the premises,
and if l as mayor wilfully neglect my
duties the remedy is plain.
Yours very respectfully,
Matthias J. Scholey, mayor.
1t is interesting to notice the logic
Of the mayor s response to the straight
forward request of the Civic Federation
for enforcement of the laws which he
is sworn and paid to enforce.
He says in substance-there has
been an understanding for long time
that this particular law is not to be
enforced in Kenosha; it mas been sue
cessfully evaded both under Democra-
tic and Republican administrations
therefore, the law is now null and void,
and will remain SO until the majority
, of Kenosha citizens vote to have this
particular statute resurrected.
Just how he expects the citizens Of
Kenosha to have an opportunity of vot-
ing on the enforcement or non-enforce-
ment of the state statute is not appar-
ent, but this part Of his reply is about
as coherent as the rest.
The mayor says nothing about the
fact that he is himself one Of those
who violates habitually this very law
which he is asked to enforce, and by
the violation of it he is continually
reaping profit.
/ This shifty, evasive, and altogether
unsatisfactory response to the Fedora
ton S request is not to be allowed to
pass unchallenged.
! The directors Of the Federation have
instructed their president and secretary
W reply 10 tn1S leGIef, pointing OUT
that the present mayor of Kenosha, is
not paid for doing as previous mayors
have done, nor for deciding what laws
are satisfactory or unsatisfactory, but
merely for executing the laws as they
stand on the statute books and that
the consent or objection of any or all
/ of the citizens of Kenosha can have
no possible effect upon the operation
of the Wisconsin statute.
! Tt would not be proper to publish
/ the text of the Federation s reply un.
til the mayor has had an opportunity
j to read it and respond if he sees fit
but it will be given to the public in a
later edition of the "News''
Kenosha Civic Federation.