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 pulp
lends itself admirably 10 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 II the onense is
gamblig, how is the evidence. as
evidence is counted, to he procur,
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 a way to get evidence
not besct with official red tape. It
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 oftenses
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. ii not all OF them. are known
to preachers as well as 20 the fell
low about town who knows whats
doing The honest desire 70 really
enforce law would mean The follow
ing up of these commonly knowt
clues.
| do not retract my contention
mat drew forth Mr. Dnneens let
Ter. hold it as stoutly now as last
Sunday when publicly declared it
before my congregation, that law
breaking with a veneer of respecta-
b.lity and exclusiveness does not
make law breaking less obnoxious
or 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.
en- by the ''respectables' have no
more right before the law to con.
duet dram shop without license
than has Daniel J Dnneen, and JUS
tice should accrue to the one as to
the ether.
Rabid 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
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
me world by dispensing justice to
AZ! alike no matter what their sta.
ton in life or lineage.
A short time aS) William Jen.
nlngs Bryan in speaking before the
Rotary club of our city paid high
ribhte 10 the personnel of the or.
before hlm He called
he men the pick of the city. the
representative men. And he do
Jared, ITO whom much is given,
much is required Much IS reouir.
"a OF leaders in city life By vir.
ne OF their position ii behooyns
hem to set a wholesome example
u h'gh regard for the law. In The .
Ign OF this, men should MOI tol.
na'e an unlicensed bar in a lodge.
Aey should sacrifice coy congrnj.
nee and special privilege to nro.
nCte respect for law. This or the
'I'trnatiye: apply for license
'orly-eight other establishments in
AZ city are paying five hundred
'ollarS year to operate bars.
IN the last analysis, it il not "evi.
'ence' that is needed in order q h
aW enforcement There is no need
ii extended argument as 10 the
ruth of this All needed is for tha
n'r OF community who are ,'enu..
u ~ bulk big in TIE lite of tn, CRY
o let it be known that they tayo-
lty where the law is obeyed
IN such a sentiment abroad The
ny commissioners will find ! way
o 40 their full luty and that win.
u inc perpetual proddings Of
reachers.
q w ftlIl,cc,t