The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1912-10-17
AN OPEN LETTER.
To the Citizens of Kenosha:

10 the citizens OF Kenosha:
In my last article, I endeavored to
point out the defects in enforcing our
state laws. I had entertained some
hope that my article may accomplish
some good, but see by the Saturday
Evening News that "Kenosha would
be very much alive" on Sunday.
Friends, pick up the aforesaid paper
and see for yourself the programs that
were acted out, and if the veil would
be rent what would not our astonish-
ed eyes behold! The Palace Theatre
presented "Convict Life in Ohio Peni-
tentiary.' Think what edifcation for
Sunday! At the Majestic Theatre,
fresh zephyrs from the north had
blown as they offered, oman from the
North Pole" Parents, dom t wonder
why your child's heart has grown so
cold! How can it be otherwise At
the Rhode Opera House, they were
treated with "Mrs. O'Malley's Recep.
tion," together with "Russian Whirl-
wind Dancers" and "Japanese
Juggler." Special price Of twenty
five cents for children under IL for
any seat at the matinee. The Bijou
had its doors open with it's perform
ance. At the Castle Hall, dancers were
gliding nimbly along" till early
morn. For the edifeation of the
north siders, football game had been
played.
Now readers, this is the Sunday
menu for our citizens and what further
was INDUCED in, do not know, but
this is enough. The civic officers
seemingly smile at any suggestion of
fered for Improvement. 1t is the duty
of all civic officers to enforce all state
laws, Sunday laws included. Every
Sunday baseball game, dance, shoot
ing match, or theatres, also every Sun
day picnic where beer is sold is an I'M
lawful assembly. Civic officers must
stop all this or be indicted, fined and
removed from Office.
The chief of police told me himself
that he knows all these laws. Why
does he not make an attempt to en-.
force themg There are others just as
guilty as he is.
In Saturdays issue column six, IN
der the heading, Expenses are Small y
we read, "Many people in the county
who were candidates at the primary
election held in September are liable
to prosecution for failure to observe
the law etc.
Why try to enforce this lawq Is this
more important than the aforesaid
l had not intended to resume nv at
tack on the abuse of the Sunday laws,
but | am forced to give voice to the
sentiment of thousands in Kenosha.
Had | noticed that any steps had
been taken for the removal of any of
these Sunday ruisances, I would have
held my peace. =
Fellow citizensl Do you deem it
just that we are to spend thousands
of dollars for our state law makers
they legislate for US, and we in add
-
ton spend large sums for city ard
county officers, and these city or
county officers haughtily trample these
laws under their feet9
Why establish laws if this is to con
tinue? These laws thus ignored are an
insult to the Madison headquarters
If these laws are of no earthly use, lets
send home our Madison representatives,
take all the state statutes, attach a
milestone to each state law book and
cast them far into Lake Michigan.
l am sure that we would welcome the
day when some step will be taken in
the right direction I am confident
that our city mayor and our sheriff will
consult as to the best means to pursue
for the good of Kenosha, and should
this be done, we would hail the coming
sunrise with joy, and may the
glowing effulgence never more be OBJ
scured by the sombre cloud of lawlass.
ness.
| am yours very truly,
! Rev. P. E. Ncrdgren.