The silver state. [volume] (Winnemucca, Nev.) 1909-1925, 1921-05-05
VOICE OF
THE PEOPLE

The PEOPLE
Once more the people of Winnie
mucca have spoken, and spoken in q
manner not to be misunderstood. BY
their votes last Tuesday returning to
office Mayor Brandon, Councilmen
Akin and Hoskins. the people have de-
clared so the world may know that
they intend to stand by the men who
stand by them and are willing, as
servants Of the people. to carry out
the mandates of the people as ex-
pressed by the ballot. The Silver
State also. perhaps selfishly, takes the
election to stand as an endorsement
Of the people for the position taken by
this newspaper In municipal matters.
The candidates elected, along with
the editor of this newspaper, have
taken considerable dirt-their names
have been slandered and even their
wives have come in as a butt for the
anger of certain individuals. They
A6t0 OCcu CdilCu hhSot
hypocrites and many other things not
worth talking about. This they must
accept, however, and feel that by the
vote of the people they are shown
that the people are well aware of
what is going on and understand mat
tiers quite thoroughly.
And why have these men had to
suffer because of the disappointment
Of certain individuals? Because they
stood up for one thing-law enforce
ment as demanded by the people by
their ballots. 1t is not fair to call
them reformers because they believe
that laws should be enforced. as near
as possible, as they appear on the
statute books. It Is the will of the
people that lava are made and the
duty of sworn officers to enforce them,
regardless of personal opinion. 1t is
the duty of the newspaper. as a SER
want of the people. established pri.
marily to keep people informed OF
what is going on, for the benefit of
the people, to so inform them when
things are not as the people have de-
manded by majority vote. When this
ii not done, and officers disregard that
which they have sworn to do, and
elected officials tolerate such condi-
lions, the very foundation of our gov
eminent and civilization Is under
mined. II we as a nation are to pro-
coed on basis of justice and equality,
just and equal laws, passed for the
guidance of all, must be observed and
enforced. If favored few are to be
permitted to break these laws for
profit. those not allowed to do like
wise are not on an equal footing. If
one man is to be allowed to grow rich
by violating the laws and preying on
the weakness of other men, it is only
reasonable that other men should not
see why they should toll for wages.
If we in Winnemucca tolerate such
conditions and others in other cities
tolerate like conditions. how can we
expect our national and state govern
ments to be different?
The reelected city officers realize
this and 80 do the people who voted
for them. 1t is a plain case of pure
Americanism, and these men should
not be censured as reformers or pro-
hibitionists. II there is any law on
the statute books which is "unpopu-
lar" as has been suggested by certain
people making statements without
basis of fact. there is only one way to
correct the matter. and that way GER
tainly is not by encouraging contempt
for law.
Anyway, the people have spoken
and it will pay certain reluctant off,
cials to take heed. AS to the local
situation brought about by the cleo
ton 1t can best be quieted and the
city returned to normally" by those
persons who have kicked up the dust
coming to the conclusion 1t is best
to accept the will of the people. If
they don't, the will of the people is
going to be forced upon them.