St. Landry clarion. (Opelousas, La.) 1890-1921, 1909-09-11
DTg2TNG UISHED Ia W.


AAO AA04AtCHAAS
ID simultaneously that President Taft
had bis hair cut at Beverly, Mass,
Sunday, which is a crime or mis-
deneanor in that State, punishable.
bY q fine Of SIS; that the Governor Of
the State of Washington was caught
rOdehanded tipping a waiter to the
extent Of ten cents. which is a vio-
lent infraction Of one of the most re.
cent criminal laws Of that State; and
that one Of the justices Of the Su-
preme Court Of the same State was
discovered smoking a cigarette, q
specific and detestable crime in the
State Of Washington. When such
high officials break the statutes,
what hope 10 there for that obedience
to The law which everybody is demand
ing? Ask the Time-D Democrat.
Personally leaving the obedience to
Che law aside for the moment, we do
not see that the republic has been
seriously endangered by either one Of
these crimes. We are not of that
class that believe that a single in
fraction Of the law endangers the
Constitution, and hope even a SUI
preme Court justice may smoke an
occasional cigarette and vet inherit
the kingdom of heaven finally. In
this bold attitude we are aware that
we disagree with Mrs. Carrie Nation,
but one must have an original idea
occasionally. And yet the three in
fractions coming so close together
are liable TO give Che most Indifferent
pause.
The State of Massachusetts, is
naturally agitated over the haircut
ting episode. The population of that
Commonwealth are not quite sure
whether they feel honored at the
presidential patronage, or outraged
at The snub to their blue laws. But
IN the State Of Washington the situa-
ton il met with stern determination
to stand by the statute in such case
made and provided. whatever may be
the consequences. These rough and
eready Westerners have nothing Of the
Eastern INDIGESTION, and the news
papers of che State will soon be filled
with letters signed Fiat Justicia,
Ruat Coelum," and like PECAN sub
.scriptions. The tipping and the
smoking were both made crimes by
the recent Legislature, which was a
reform body before all else, and en-
acted some notable laws. Now it has
become time to enforce the laws, and
we shall see what we shall see.
We do not apprehend that Jail
uantancas will ha enforced in either
Of the cases, In fact, under the
terms of the law the President will
have the option Of a fine. Five
dollars or ten days" viii be the ex-
tent of the power of the court in the
Massachusetts case. But we really
are not advised Of the extreme pen
Atty fixed for the crimes committed
in Washington. From things we
have heard about cigarette smoking
and about the intensity Of the re-
form movement in that State, we are
driven to the conclusion that the
Supreme Court justice would do well
To become a fugitive from justice,
and che Governor would do we'll to
compromise by resigning his Office be-
fore impeachment proceedings can
be brought. These two crimes seem
to be particularly heinous, although
We have not heard the full particu-
lars as yet. There may be what the
French call mitigating circumstances,
and therefore we advise that the pub
liz Withhold its judgment until the de-
Tense has a chance to be heard. The
fact remains. nevertheless, that the
laws Of two States have been smash
ed, and that il is necessary for the
strong arm Of the law to make
some sort Of . bluff.