Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1920-05-28
VIOLATIONS OF THE LAW IN
CREASING.

1t is an evident fact that when the
public begins TO set aside few OF the
laws Of the State, that lawlessness be-
gins to grow, and when laws are dis
regarded by few OF our people with
the consent of the public, others Will
soon think they have the same right
to disregard those which restricts
them. When we countenance Sunday
opening, and rafting We are licensing
the violation of every law III the land.
do not mean to say that these are the
worst crimes to be committed, but
those practicing these things have
characterized themselves as law viola
tors, and those who are responsible
(by insisting that they be sold these
articles) become morally, if not legal
y, parties to the violation,
What is the law with regard to Sun
day selling? Nothing could be plain
or than this as given in the Misslss-
ippi Code of 1906, and reads as fol-
lows
If any person on the first day Of the
week, commonly called Sunday shall
himself labor at his own, or any
OltitI lIdut, NdlllIlS VI bholiA-t's'f
Or shall employ his apprentice or ser
want III labor, or other business, except
it be the ordinary household offices OF
daily necessity or charity, he shall, ON
conviction, be fined not more than twen
ty dollars for every otfense, deemlng
every apprntice or servant so employ
ed, as constituting distinct otfense,
but nothing in this section shall apply
to labor on railroad, steam boats,
telegraph or telephone lines, street
railways, or business Of livery sta
bic, or meat market or ice house.
Since that time it has been made
lawful to sell gasoline and oil, and to
repair cars in immediate trouble.
For rafting and gambling the law
is as specific, and yet everything I'M
aginable from a farm to articles OF
wearing apparel has been ratified II
Macon since the last session Of the
Court.
Who is Irresponsible for the en-
forccment Of the law? In a sense we
are al responsible, Any man car
make an indictment, lat sectlo
1901 and section 1902 of the above
mentioned code places the main re-
sponsibility upon the officers o. tht
law who took an oath that they WO0tt
enforce the law, and designates tnt
fines they are subject to, if they do no
upon personal knowledge or response
Bile information. Neither does Judg,
Carroll speak in uncertain terms witt
regard to placing the responsibility
when he says, "lf these people or othel
are notoriously violating the Sunday
law. the Mayor should have affidavit'
\ raade against them and convict then
and find them. If dissatisfied they car
appeal to the circuit court. 1t 8 moi
matter of discretion with myself, ol
the mayor, or other officers Whethel
we enforce the Sunday law or not, bu
it is an obligation.
I do not believe il is the wish OF
majority of the people Of the town o
Macon that these things be carried o.
in violation of the laws OF thestate,a
yet we have sufficient laws and powe
rot only to deal with the things men
toned here but to break up every gan
bling den, blind tiger JOINT in AM
around Macon, and to put out ever.
vice that makes its appearance.
Is it too much to expect the officer
who were elected for tbs specific pur
pose to take the lead ? The vote
who is interested in the welfare Of tn
community, and who has children Il
raise in the town thinks not.
OLIN RAY.