The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1913-08-23
On tie Enforcement Of Law II Cites
BIZ BRAND WHITLOCK

WHlTLOCK. ss.I III Vi f.t
Of the representatives Of the people
OF this town on that subject. II. he.
say that was the last expression
Of the people OF this town on that
subject. It was not, perhaps. strictly
the last. Every time Mayor Jones
ran for mayor, that issue was raised.
Every time have run. that issue
has been raised. And every time
that issue was raised Mayor Jones
was reelected; every time that issue
was raised, / have been elected,
Mayor Jones used to say that he
thought he had fairly represented
public sentiment in these matters,
and fairly administered the law in
accordance with that sentiment, and
think that am perhaps fairly rep
resenting the will Of the people. fairly
administering the law here. -:
49,. Individuality of Cities. -.
The city, as we are slowly coming
to understand, is an elemental thing.
It's densely compacted masses take
on some Of the qualities of the, hive,
displaying vast inherent differences
from scattered populations. 81. The
city has an individuality, a PERSONAL
tty, and it's unique conditions, employ
ments, customs. habits, necessities.
create a whole body Of problems which
demand distinct study and separate
legislative treatment. While it has It's
part and its interest in the state, it
nevertheless has problems Of it's own.
and from the failure to recognize this
fact, have arisen most of the condi-
tons which cause many Of us concern.
and some. indeed, to despair.
While humanity in the cities is not
Fundamentally different from human
ity elsewhere. it has the especial needs
of a different environment. The large
body of the laws and statutes have
the same application. and find as ready
observance in the city as elsewhere.
But that different localities require
different regulations in certain small
respects, think there is little doubt
We have had here. in our own town,
In the instance + have just cited, an
illustration Of this. There is an adage
to the effect that the way to repeal
an obnoxious or unpopular law is to
enforce it ruthlessly. This is so when
those upon whom the obnoxious law
is enforced. have the power, through
representatives they themselves elect,
to repeal it.
Essence of Justice.
When the case is otherwise, it is
not so. The state legislature passes
certain statutes that attempt to reg
ulate the customs, diversions, sports
and appetites Of people in the cities.
If vigorously enforced the people in
the cities even II they desired. could
not repeal them, for they are repre-
scented by minority in the Legislature
Each attempt Of an executive to en-
force those regulations would be met
only by renewed applause from those
who pass them and with whose habits
Of life they do not seriously interfere,
but they would be intolerable to those
upon whom their penalties were Wis
tied. those who had elected their ex-
ecutive to represent them, and not
others. And many instances could <be
cited, in which city populations, re-
senting what TO them saHors {. OF
tyranny. have !. defeated administra-
|,tions which were working out ad-
mitted reforms, Of larger significance.
One of the cures for these Ills. as I
see it, is. first to give the cities the
power Of local self government, or
home rule, as IT. is usually called.
Then the people Of cities, in the reg
ulation of their affairs, can on mat
ters of purely local concern, make
their own police regulations. This
would ensure more positive and uni-
form observance Of the law, and would
do away with much of. that disrespect
of statutes which now exists. The city
must afford wider opportunity forrest
and recreation; it. must replace evil
by substituting good, by providing
wholesome; ennobling and elevating
entertainment.
The City-The Cradle of Civilization.
A beginning has already been made
in the parks. and to these should be
added comfort stations. branch librar-
les, band concerts and other music.
public baths. and swimming pools,
Fairgrounds for the children and the
grown-up alike, with ample opportun-
ity for indoor and outdoor sports.
The school buildings should be free
ly used by all the people. and noble
public edihces should be erected, III
which the people could take pride and
delight. Then shall we have the be-
ginnings of a healthy and an efficient
democracy. And of course, by meth
DDS Of wider application. as / have
said so often in these pages. we should
do away with the causes Of crime by
an d, Improvement in y industrial and
Il az ~ - =