Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1921-04-02
LAWS TO BE ENFORCED
Attorney General Payne Says He Will
Enforce All Laws on the South
Dakota Statutes.

Pierre, S. d., March 2S.-Attorney
General Payne, following his conference
with the states attorneys Of South Da,
kota, al Huron, gave out the following
statement for publication:
"Our campaign for law enforcement
includes a general campaign for the en-
! forcement of all laws in order that there
may be a check upon lawlessness and
that there may be created a proper re.
spect for law. We expect to emphasize
however, and give special attention to
the enforcement Of certain laws more or
less dsregarded during the past few
years, and have summarized our objects
and purposes as follows
/. The vigorous enforcement of the
provisions OF section 1884 of tue Revised
Code, making it misdemeanor for
moving picture exhibitors to show in
decent or vile pictures and pictures de
plcting stories or scenes illustrating illicl
love, infdeity in family reAtons, mur
der or striking an officer suggestive OF
crime or immortality.
2. Tie enforcement of the law against
sunday shows and theatrical perform
ance under Section 1888 Of the Revised
Code.
J. The enforcement ofthe law against
sunday base bali as public sport uB-
der the same section.
t. The instituting Of test action to
determine the extent to which the ex
hibiting OF moving pictures on Sunday
is prohibited under Section 1858 of the
Revised Code and the enforcement OF
Che law as construed by the court.
. Is officers charged With the duty OF
enforcing the laws, and under oath 10
faithfully discharge such duties, we can.
not concern ourselves with the policy OF
the law. That belongs 10 The legislative
branch OF the government. Neither cau
We suspend enforcement Of statute be-
cause an Initiative petition has calleu
tor vote upon its repeal in Noyem Der,
1922. This statute upon which a vote
will be taken Was passed by the legsla-
ture OF 1907, was sent to the referendum
and approved by vote of the people IN
The election of 1908 1t was thus in
effect enacted by The people. We can.
not assume nearly Two years in advance
that the people will repeal what they
themselves have enacted.
"The law against sunday base ball is
clear. The penalties for violation in
slude both fine and Jail sentence and
are adequate to secure respect for same
they will surely fall upon the heads OF
those who defy the law. Sunday base
ball is prohibited in states where major
league teams are maintained, notably,
Massachusetts and Pennsylvania, ard
the law is respected. The supporters OF
our national game have its reputation to
sustain as a clean and manly sport and
they cannot afford to place base ball in
the position of law breaker and all
outlaw. Moving picture exhibitors will
nave 10 make "a radical change in the
class of pictures shown in the state, OF
expect to fad themselves called 70 ac
count under Section 1884 of the Revised
Code, violations of which may be pun
ished by fine up to $500 and mprison-
nent in the county Jail up to one year
The people have a weapon against de-
moraliziDg exhibitions perhaps not gen
orally appreciated.
the law against Sunday moving pic
,ures can be enforced only as it is found
upon the statute books. 1t is not clear
as to the class ofplctures prohibited. a
construction of the law by the supreme
court will be sought at once, and com
2iiance with whatever the law is found
TO be insisted upon. In conclusion, al
low us to suggest that it is the duty of
all good citizens to assist in maintaining
respect for law by cheerfuly observing
laws in force, and by assisting to bring
to account those who violate the law.
Each has the undoubted right to seek to
Influence the repeal of any law with the
policy of which he does not agree, but
while the law is in force it should be
enforced and obeyedn