The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1912-09-07
COURTS TURN LOOSE
EV|L.OOERS IN OROVES
Mass Meeting 10 Be Called al
Oklahoma City to Cope With
Situation

Especial Correspondence to The DaiH
LEADER
Oklahoma City. Okla, Sept -
With a desperation born Of despair
this city has thrown all sembance OF
enforcement OF law and order 10 the
winds, and is catering exclusively q
the law.breaking forces in hope OF en-
listing this elements support IN the
capital removal fight
This move does not receive the ell.
dorsemen. Of the great majority OF
our citizens, and Is condemned by tho
liberal, as well as the strict, residents
here who, however much they may
differ in regard 70 the manner and
method OF restraining municipal evil
are all unit in the BELIEF that laws
on the statute books should be en-
forced
There is q great contention here as
to just what the present city govern
ment is trying to do in this matter.
Some contend that Mayor Grant and
the other commissioners are trying
their best 10 enforce the law: while
others declare chat the administration
is simply making a play TO the CALLER
les, and that II is in with the present
scheme To OPENLY defy the Law How
ever, there is It Niger in the wood
pile somewhere.
Recently the police have become
unduly active, and raids, accompanied
with many arrests, have been tbe
order OF the day Strangers base
been taken TO police court on trivial
charges, and dismissed and great
show OF enforcing every law has been
made. Much wonder was expressed
at these activities. The solution
seems TO be at hand This mems
to be it,
Municipal Judge O. L. Price was
suddenly taken sick (?). Mayor
Grant named one G. \. l.ongfellow as
Judge nr0 tenn The arrests and raids
went merrilY on-and Judge Long
fellow, who poses as a strict prohibit
zionist. proceeded TO turn the prison
ers loose with a startling unaninit4
He has laid down rules thaJ make law
enfocement absolutely impossible
here. and is receiving high praise
from the laW-dciicrs for his work. a
local paper has this 10 say Of The new
judges methods;
Judge Longlellow dismissed prac-
tically every case presented where
the evidence was not sufficient to
warrant conviction. He dismissed
cases such as Judge O. J.. Price has
announced convictions in hundreds
and hundreds OF times which have
cost the liberal element in Oklahoma
City, TO say the least, $4,000 a year
since the present officials have been
in control Unused TO such decisions
as Judge l.onglellow handed down
Friday morning, the arresting officers
so to speak, We're thrown into panic
and their chagrin was SO indelibly
traced on their countenances they
could not conceal it..
This same paper continued:
Tt is deemed especially fortunate
that such a man and lawyer as Judge
Iongfelow is was placed on The
bench in municipal court at this par
ticular time. The business men feel
building high stone wall around
.nder the present conditions, are
that Mayor Grant and the police force
Oklahoma City. Strangers who come
here are in danger OF being arrested
anywhere by the fool policemen
especially AT night They are driving
people away from the city in their
foolish frenzy to enforce the law"
The law abiding element is up in
arms, and a meeting will be at once
called to appoint a committee to take
these matters up with Governor Crnce
A petition for general mass meeting
is being circulated. ana Is being rap
idly signed The movers contend
that Oklahoma citizenship is almost
unit for law and morality, and that
the action of the municipal> court in
openly defying the statutes Will react
on the city with tremendous force Is
is contended that Oklahoma is q law
observing state, and that any city or
that caters exclusively 70
the aw-defying elements is Dounn 20
come to grief when the facts are
known over the state.
Scott Sues Sweinhart.