Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1917-12-03
BAPTIST PASTOR
SPURNS OFFER TO
SERVE AS JUDGE
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is. a limited sphere is his in the
matter of procuring evidence as a
law court counts evidence. His
most effective sphere is in moulding
public sentiment and the pulpit
lends itself admirably TO this end.
have declared repeatedly and
still contend that the law enforcing
arm Of the city government refuses
an aggressive initiative in the mat
ter OF law enforcement. We are
told when we complain, Produce
the evidence 1t the Oifense is
gamblig. how is the evidence, as
evidence is counted to be proeur-
ed? One must be in the gambling
resort. he must participate in the
gambling The fellow who does that
is a gambler and such are not no
torious for hunting up the police
and squeezing.
There is way to get evidence
not besct with official red tape 1t
has been demonstrated again and
again where public officials really
mean business in seeing that law Is
enforced. They have authority to
investigate even rumors of ofenses
and they do it. And in the city
where crooks and law breakers are
conspicuous for their absence
| dc not care to enumerate all
the cases of law breaking in Ottawa
Most If not all Of them, are known
to preachers as well as to the fel-
low about town who knows whats
doing" The honest desire to really
enforce law would mean the follow
ing up OF these commonly known
clues.
| do not retract my contention
mat drew forth Mr.. Dnneen's let
'er hold ii as stoutly now as last
Sunday when | publicly declared il
before my congregation, that law
breaking with a veneer of respecta-
b:lity and exclusiveness does not
make law breaking less obnoxious
M less deserving of the laws pen
ally. We cannot discriminate be-
tween privileged classes on the one
hand and the rank and file on the
other. Lodges and clubs, patroniz-
ed by the "respeCtables' have no
more right before the law to con
Duct dram shop without a license
than has Daniel ]. Dinneen, and JUS
tice should accrue to the one as to
the ether
Rabd enemies Of existing social
conditions, and America has its full
quota of such. are manufactured
wherever the custodians of the le-
gal statutes for their enforcement
discriminate between individuals or
groups Only an impartial dealing
with oifenses gives guarantee of
the success of democracy. We are
helping to make democracy safe for
The world by dispensing justice tn
all alike no matter what their sta
ton in life or lineage.
A short time agD William Jen-
nings Bryan in speaking before the
Rotary club of our city paid high
tribute TO the personnel of the or
before MIN. He called
the men the pick of the city, the
representative men. And he dc,
ito whom much is given
much is required Much rs reouir-
ed of leaders in city life BY viz.
the of their position it behooves
them to set a wholesome example
OF high regard for the law. In The
llSh of this, men should nor toll.
cate an unlicensed bar in lodge.
'Aey should sacrifice cozy conyenj.
ence and special privilege to pro.
mote respect for law. This or the
alternative: Apply for a license.
Furiy-eight other establishments in
the city are paying five hundred
dollars a year to operate bars.
IN the last analysis. it is not levi.
dente' that is needed in order =
law enforcement There is no need
OF extended argument as to the
truth of this All needed Is for tie
meh OF community Wk0 are fapu.
ed 10 bulk big in th1 life of tn, ci:y
to let it be known that they iayor
city where ths law IL obnvnd
W.'h such sentiment abroad the
2l'Y commissioners will find 4 way
to 10 their full luty and that WITH.
on the perpetual proadings of
preachers.
G. w CHESSMAN.
Pastor First Baptist Church