The Caucasian. (Shreveport, La.) 1900-192?, 1909-04-13
ksteeed - second class matter February
II, 1904 at the postolfice at Shreve-
poFt La, under the Act Of Congress
sl March 81, 1879.
Subscription Price $7.oo 4 year.
Pu6iished three times a week, on Sun
day morning, and Tuesday and Thurs
Aay afternoons, at sly Edwards ST.,
y The Caucasian 4 Carney Printing
Company, Limited, Proprietors.

Company, Limited, Proprietors.
OIL CITY AND THE LAW.
The indictment of the last Grand Jury
of Oil City in its final report severa
months since to the judge of the Dis
trict Court, Criminal Division, may b,
recalled by readers of the Caucasian
In this report was disclosed the condi
: tions then existing in the fragrant disre-
gard OF the law by individuals having a
contempt for the prohibition law.
Accompanying this report were in
dictments of some of the violators OF
{ the law, prohibition as we'll as gambling
As has been fully realized, it is almos,
impossible to secure the conviction OF
the snalefactors, except on the most pos
itive and direct evidence, and the few
when adjudged guilty profit from a
maudlin sentiment which seemingly i:
encouraged by some of the press.
With such an influence, more or less
active, and the investment of the law
breaker with hcroship, it is neither sim
gular nor surprising that Oil City, prac-
tically isolated by distance from the
law-enforcing power centralized in
Shreveport, should, as it appears to be
the seat Of disorder, which reflects dis
credit on the parish and the State
Before the Grand Jury there were
summoned and there appeared yesterday
! one hundred and forty witnesses, OF
Whom sixty were the wives and rela-
tives. Of men residing in and around and
about Oil City who signed petition ad-
dressed to and appealing to the Gov
ernor Of the State for relief. From the
Governors Office at Baton Rouge the
petition was forwarded. to District At
torney Foster, to whom it should have
hem addressed. but this was technical
. error and nowise a reflection on the Of
feials Of Caddo Parish.
In substance it is recited in this petit
stion that the selling of whiskey and
Gmaling IS being done openly at Oil
CITY, thafxeputable residents of Oil City
are watering from this open violation
sok the law, but the condition is more
s1onsAs6ted than % related IN the petit
slio4 = Indicated BY the statement of a
1IS confirmed By others, which is pub
HShed ii this issue Of the Caucasian
The parpose Of the district attorney
10 having 40 the signers of the petition
sbnapnned as witnesses was to obtain
IN lie nsfnfmation to be had. It devel-
cpd - silould have been anticipated,
~ Sn1ny Of the sieners did not know
1sol rsfsosnl knowledge the men guilty
ssof these attractions Of the law, bat they
eosl6 tell Of having witnessed drunken
eon and heard the language Of men
swhieh IS not printable. It is believed
shat the Grand jury will not fail to re-
pcEt indictments, even to the disappoint-
,aaent Of the sympsthizers Of the law
oeaters who were heard to voice the
seapce that the Grand jury would
bike % coeaiaance of the complaints of
NE ees;tion especially Of women who
Are Tie greatest sufferers from the over
n1uloencs IN intoxicants of their nat
nrsl projectors.
4 is believed these sympathizers will
q eufDeised ii the findings of the Grand
sJuey.
& may Be true, IS has been suggested,
Dirt The conditions in Oil City have
1tpreved. since the report of the last
Grand jury. and it is equally true that
tlae sheriff has had several deputies at
On CITY and that he personally has done
md proposes to do all in his power 10
cnmpel obedience to the law, but there
eilf be given little respect for the law
and little for decency until the extrem-
~ Of the law shall be directed impar-
liklly and vigorously against every of
lender. when convicted.
Z i should appear, or If it should be
t0vered, that any officer or deputy
Sellesi6 charged with the enforcement of
A. Nv Is IN sympathy with the law
breakef, or who may be SO conservative
~ 10 not notice che law-breaking, then
'Ssck lollieer q. depuay should be re-
Nd and in shis. stead there should be
ointed one who will have IN mind
n.