The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1914-09-21
LAW ENFORCEMENT.

Lack OF law enforcement DllShIS
citizenship as do the hot winds
the growing corn. The corn plant,
under the burning sun and without
moisture, willis and fails to produce.
The citizenship that overrides the
law must fail in its undertakings
and dssipate its energies. Wrong
ideas are inculcated into the youth
in localities and in states where the
law is not enforced.
Oklahoma at this time has the
most stringent antigambling laws
of any state in the union. If the
people want the law enforced, they
can have it done under this law.
People usually condemn the of
ficers when law enforcement is neg
lected. Sometimes that condemna-
tion Is just, but it is oftener the
case that the citizenship is to be
blamed. Our government is so con-
structed that the people get about
what the majority demands. Every
man VINO plays at cards and at gam
bling devices is as guilty as the
gambler, every man who trades with
the bOOtleggers is as guilty of
breaking a moral law as the boot
logger is. Our consciences are not
educated up to that point We be
lieve in prohibition to protect the
other fellow, but feel that our own
liberties should not be interfered
with We like to see others kept
from gambling, but when a gambling
fit comes to us, we like to indulge
IT, The gamblers do not live off of
one another, and bootleggers do not
sell to one another They know too
much about what they sell to use 1t
themselves Law enforcement in its
last analysis must begin at home
with every man.
The state democratic platform does
not mince words in handling the sub
iect of law enforcement. 1t pledges
the democratic office holders to a
strict enforcement of the liquor and
gambling LAWS which have frequently
been violated in the state. Under
the head of Law Enforcement, the
platform reads:
an proportion to the enforcement
of the law do we have good govern
ment Hence, it is essential that
every law should be impartially
faithfully, honestly and fearlessly en-
forced This includes the faithful
and honest enforcement not only OF
the prohibition and gambling laws
but also those relating to malfeasance
embezzlement and corruption by pub
lie officials, as well as every Other
law.
Before person is permitted tc
assume the duties of an office in this
state such person is required to take
solemn oath that he or she will
support, obey and defend the con
stitution of the state, and, discharge
the duties of the office with lidel
ity. This means that he will honest
ly observe and carry out the provis
ions of the state constitution, ant
every law made pursuant thereto
and that every mandatory provision
of the constitution that is not self
| executing shall in good faith by
proper legislation be made seif-eX
ecuting and effective. The officials
find their duty measured out foI
them by the laws of the state and
that duty can only be performed by
the honest enforcement of such laws
The policy as declared by the con
stitution and statutes is to be OBJ
served by all public officials; none
shall put his individual judgment
above the law. Public officials vio
latinG a public trust are to be Wig
orously prosecuted. We pledge our
selves to such a faithful performance
of official duty
-O-
While bullets are making widows in
| Europe. widows in China are perish