El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1920-12-16
DANGER LIES m PASSING TOO MANY
LAWS That CANNOT BE ENFORCED

NEARLY every state has drastic bue laws" they
~ commonly termed laws for the most part heritage
fm the distant past and yet upheld by considerable part
Of the people or to speak more precisely BY the people OF
s0us communities.
These 'blue laWs In large part dsregarded by the
majority Of citizens everywhere with the open tolerance Of
officials who after all cannot be expected act vigorously
IN a way counter 10 the VIII Of the majority.
There communities in Texas where the state "blue
z5 observed and enforced, but such communities
few and they not pOpulous Practically all the larger
onters Of population have arrived at sort Of compromise
under which certain state statutes commonly regarded
imperative and public officials would quickly fall into
dsvor and under the political ban If they should attempt
to enforce the "blue laws" literally.
Ts is the fact But It needs no argument to demon
strate that the condition is not healthy Laws
supposed to be put the books because they represent the
VIII Of the people at least Of majority. Laws the
books supposed to be enforced impatay and actively
When certain laws certain classes Of laws are permitted
20 sleep and officials charged with enforcing the laws
subjected to punishment if they enforce them there
thing wrong with the laws-unless wiling to
ceds that the majority ought to be subjected the VII
Of the minority, which IS hardly in accord with American
doctrine.
There Is Just now renewed interest IN the subject Of
blus laws" for powerful and well financed organization
is trying to induce congress rigorous "bIue laws
for all azeas within its jurisdiction and submit to the
states constitutional amendment which if adopted would
extend the bus law regime everywhere and make these
laws matters Of federal and not state local
The question revolves chiefly around the laws for Sun
day Observance and proposed laws for censorship Of
ments, especially moving pictures.
It is pr0posed-amoug other thfngs-that the most rigid
Sunday laws existing anywhere the United States be
adopted national laws and enforced by national officers
and further that moving pictures be subjected national
government censorship
Of any action taken along these lines would be
only entering wedge. There would be end TO the
regulations and prohibitions that would be insisted If
the people Of this country yield inch in this direction
It really amounts to this that minority is seeking is
determined, TO impose win the majority and unless
the majority takes care, It VIII be done.
Most bue laws should be repealed and those not re-
pd should for the most part be left to local option by
communities to enforce they choose They should
tor The most part be pessory laws rather than manda
tory Each community should be given the power to regu
late It's Sunday Observance and its amusements, but
yond that, any attempt to impose too rigid code from
outside VII certainly meet with resistance least VIII
fail for lack Of cooperation.
To put on the books any law that cannot OF viii not be
enforced, to allow such law to remain unchanged
the books Is to encourage spirit Of contempt for all law
and tolerance Of law breaking that inevitably reflects
the conduct Of people and brings about loose even
dangerous conditions community that does not
carry with It substantially the support of law abiding and
right thinking and well ntentoued folk is not only IN
operative, it is a menace to good government
The Herald has many times expressed its views the
subjects Of censorship and Of too rigid "bue laws But
IS vel 70 keep these things before the people that they
nay be position to act IN self defence whenever
assault is plotted
The only principle that should govern the enactment
Of Sunday Observance laws is that Of protecting people
their lawful rights to free exercise Of religious worship and
reasonable period Of rest from labor. Sometimes
Sunday law has TO be invoked to curb individuals
desire % gain by inung Others but such
things satisfactorily, Just public sentiment brings about
BY inducing agreements certain wholesome restrictions
opening and closing hours Of business week days
The law Of nuisances is really the only safe
guide. No has right to interfere with anOther's
legal rights So certain T5gulations-Whch might well
be municipal as state OF naCna-are necessary to defend
religious worship against annoyance interference But
what the churches with their morning and evening
have do with baseball game IN the afternoon far from
their places Of worship is not clear So with ordinary
traffic. auseeuts, OK the sale Of certain things On Sun
day which the general public desires have sold to i then