Rocky Ford enterprise., 1913-07-18
PUBLIC POLICY.
From Viewpoint of Christian En-
deavor.

the Colorado Christian Endeavor I'm
ion at the state convention at Long
mont on June 20.
Be it resolved by the Colorado
Christian Endeavor Union: That we
commend Governor Ammons for his
veto of the bill passed by the last leg
islature, legalizing prize-fighting. By
the exercise of the veto power we be-
public MORALS and we know he has
saved the state the expense of an ad-
ditional referred measure.
We regret that he did not also veto
the bill creating racing commission,
not that there is anything vicious APP
parent in the act as finally passed, but
because we believe it will fail utterly
OF its avowed purpose, and because it
was fathered and fostered in its orig
inal form in order to legalize race
track gambling. Inasmuch as the
gambling provision was eliminated
and as this organization does not op-
pose clean sport, we shall not put the
state to the expense OF referendum
election, but we give fair warning that
if gambling is practiced OF. permitted
at the races conducted under the SUI
the expense to the state will not pre-
vent the initiation of a. measure to
abolish the commission. The anti
gambling laws are still in effect and
the Endeavorers of the state will Wig
ilantly support them.
We desire, also, to commend the per-
sistent and apable work against these
bills, done by James S. Temple, of
Denver.
We condemn the very common prac-
tice among attorneys in criminal cases
of trying to defeat justice and free
guilty criminals to further menace So
ciety Every accused person is en-
titled to fair trial, and counsel for
the defence should see that it is Sc
cured, but when any attorney deliber-
ately attempts to free one whom he
knows to be guilty. for the sake of
fee, he by that act, becomes pub
lie enemy and should be SO branded
by pulpit, press and peoplet, to the
end that the alarming increase of
crime of the last few years may be
checked and public morality be adj
vanced. Prosecuting attorneys, too.
frequently err in their ambition to
make record and establish reputa-
ton by long list of victories. Public
morality demands that the guilt of
proper degree. but it is just as essen
tial that the falsely accused be vindi-
Gated as that the guilty be punished.
We plead with the members of the
bar for an ethical standard that will
enjoin the endeavor to establish JUS
tice in all cases, whether criminal or
civil.
We call upon the ministers of Col
orado to enter upon campaign OF
education regarding the liquor traffic.
There is absolutely no moral argu
ment in its support and its ardent adj
,ocates admit that no good thing or
iginates in saloon. The only SEM
blance OF an argument is an economic
one and a careful analysis of its ev
cry item shows it to be utterly falli-
cious, but the people do not know it
and campaign of education should
lie entered upon inearnest. The good
women of the state initiated the CAIN
paign for statewide prohibition last
Jear and we favor no compromise. no
armistice and no quarter unit, the
cause - wa .egardless of past 'e
Feat or fntEre rsverses. Eternl; aei-
tation is the price of progress. We
ask the. ministers for a sermon upon
some phase of the economic waste of
the liquor traffic once every three
months until March. 1914, and then
monthly at least until after the cleo
ton.
We believe the term "prize-hght" is
a misnomer as the common interpre-
tation of its meaning has nothing to
do with prize other than financial
consideration. Our understanding OF
the term is a fstic contest in which
each boxer strives to defeat his OPP
poncnt, regardless of the fact that in
so doing he may inilict severe pun
ishment upon him, conducted under
agreed rules, between professional
fighters, i. e., those who habitually en-
gage in such battles for the financial
returns. In contradistinction. we de-
fine a boxing exhibition as nearing
what it says-an exhibition OF boxing.
The participants may or may not be
equally matched in either skill or size,
period of special training is unnecI
essary. and there is no attempt, neces-
sarily, upon the part of either partici-
pant to win or infiict punishment up
on the opposing boxer. Under the
of boxing exhibitions" many actual
prize fights are conducted in Coiora-
do in defiance of law We respect
fully importune Governor Ammons
to see that the law prohibiting prize
fighting is enforced and request him
to see that test case be brought in
the courts that we may secure legal
definition of the term prize fight"
Inasmuch as Carl Morris, one of the
best known prize-fghters in America,
is in Denver in training for fight
with Jack Geyer, we respectfully urge
that District Attorney John A. Rush,
with the support of our states chief
executive, criminally prosecute all
connected with this proposed prize
fight.
We believe that law enforcement is
a state issue and that when the issue
is clear-cut in our capital city, we
should take cognizance of it. We, ac-