The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1921-08-04
ALDERMAN pALMGREN AND BOOZE

ed" I'D at the Country CLUB during Cne recent
state golf tournament is interesting. His con-
tention that that News made no mention OF this
matter is not true. We recall a mention OF a
"run1or" that there had been "hip liquor" in
evidence We have no information that it was
more than a rumor We were on the grounds
much of the time during the continuance OF
the tournament but we were not fortunate
enough to be invited to have smile. There
may have been hip liquor in the possession OF
some of the strangers or even some OF the
home men connected with the tournament but
if there was sale Of liquor in any way on the
grounds during this tournament we have yet
to be convinced of the fact.
Now Alderman Fred Palmgren is alderman OF
the second ward He is a peace officer and ne
has full power to arrest any or woman
either who violates the law. We feel certain
that no instructions had been given to him by
the grand jury or any one else to keep his
hands off He speaks as if having authority
and of his own personal knowledge of mixing
of high balls and gin fixes and yet after, a
search of the records of the courts we have no
knowledge that this Alderman ever complained
to the court of violation or that he made
any effort to arrest an offender even though
as he asserts - the offense was committed
in his own bailiwicks-in the very portion of the
city in which he is expected to be thoughtful
Of the enforcement of the law.
We have no brief for any violator of the law.
If officials of the Kenosha Country Club vio-
lated the law by offering liquor for sale they
should be promptly brought into court and be
forced to answer for their delinquency The
prohibition amendment refers to the Country
Club grounds just the same as any other por-
tion Of the city and after careful reading Of it
we have not been able to find the suggestion of
an exemption
The law of the state imposes upon peace of
Ulcers the enforcement of prohibition. 1t makes
lit a misdemeanor for an official who has knowl-
edge of such violations Of the law to fail TO
make the proper arrest and prosecution.
Alderman Palmgren is amenable to the law
just the same as any other official of the city
and the fact that he has the distinction of re-
presentating silk stocking ward in the coun-
Gil does not remove him from the pale Of re-
sponsibility. If the alderman has permitted
certain of his own constituents to violate the
law without making a complaint to the proper
officials or without arresting these people him
self he is open to the severest criticism. His
failure to act is on par with the failure of a
lot of others who sit idly by and criticise the
officials rather than go out and do official
duties
The statute of limitations has not expired in
connection with the charges brought by the
alderman. His constituents will expect him to
make good rather than make excuses Ii
he has the knowledge of violation of the law
any where he is expected to be the first to
prosecute the violator The fact that he is an
alderman and not police officer or detective
does not disbar him from qualifying as a sup
porter of the law. If any immunity in this case
has been granted it would appear on the face
OF 1t that it has been granted by an alderman
who was entrusted with the protection of the
very territory about which he complains.
An alderman is properly the official hip
searcher of the ward He has all the rights
that can be conferred upon peace officer and
If he utterly fails to perform his duty he is
open to censure.
People who believe in prohibition believe in
the prohibition that prohibits. They insist that
Ethe law be enforced without partiality and an
alderman with eyes which can see violations
OF the law and with a judgment to go right out
and prosecute offenders is real asset to any
ward. The second ward is entitled to such an
alderman and it is up to the representative of
the Second ward to qualify as a real official of
the city.
In other words it is the move of Alderman
Palmgren He has, according to his statement,
the facts in regard to the violation of the law,
and it now remains to be seen whether or not
ne will back up his knowledge by fulfilling
that part of his official oath which said that
he would enforce" the laws
We are inclined to add that it is our belief
that the alderman has seen enough liquor sold