The Oroville weekly gazette. [volume] (Oroville, Wash.) 1905-19??, 1913-02-14
LAWS SHOULD BE OBSERVED.

The jury In the George Devon case
doubtless reached fair and honest
conclusion based on the evidence pre-
scented for its consideration. This
paper accepts that as fact and has no
disposition to question or criticise the
verdict rendered. 1t considers that
case settled and disposed of, but the
trial and the charge on which it was
brought, does raise a question that
this paper proposes to discuss. That
is the question of the observance of
city ordinances.
Oroville has passed beyond the
raw frontier stage. 1t has taken
upon itself the responsibility of SELF
government. 1t is ambitious 10 ar
rive at the Importance that all who
are familiar with the resources trib-
utary to it believe it will attain. 1t
wants to attract wide awake and
progressive citizenship. 1t is plan
ming better schools, has already or
ganized free public library, has an
energetic development league, and in
various ways Is showing to the world
that spirit of progress and construc-
tive effort is growing here. For these
reasons it can no longer tolerate that
Indifference to the fixed moral STAN
dards and established customs of old
er communities that distinguishes the
rude settlements on the fringe of civ
ilzation.
As a self-gOverning community the
people Of this town, through their duly
constituted agents, have enacted GER
tain ordinances regulating the con-
duct of individuals and of occupations
that are patterned after the ordinance
es of older communities and are JUS
titled by the results of experience
These ordinances are made to be OBJ
served both in spirit and in the letter.
II any of them seem to be unnecessar-
lily Onerous or severe there is an Or
derby and perfectly proper method of
proceeding to secure their repeal or
modification. With such course no
one can or will quarrel, but condem-
nation should follow swiftly any at
tempt on the part of any individual or
any group Of individuals to disre-
gard the laws and ordinances of the
city because they happen to conflict
with what such individuals may con-
slider their own interests.
A city ordinance cannot become law
until It has been advertised and every
one given an opportunity to express
his approval or disapproval. II there
Is serious objection to a proposed or
dinance the time to oppose it is before
It is finally enacted into law, and 1t
is proper, afterwards to test its valid
ity in the courts in the regular man
ner provided for bringing action. But
after an ordinance has been passed
and its validity proven, it is the duty
OF every citizen to observe it in is en-
tireity. Only in this way can Oroville
become known as an orderly and a de-
sirable home town and be made at
tractive to the class of citizens who
will make 1t an important and pro-
gressive city.
The determination of the city ad-
ministration to see that all laws and
ordinances are strictly observed and to
use drastic means to secure their en-
forcement If necessary, will meet with
the approval of the great majority of
the people Of the town. The Gazette
believes that 1t is the proper course to
pursue. and this paper will use its best
efforts to uphold the administration in
Its program Of law enforcement.