The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1921-07-15
OF CITIZENS
Called Attention To Before
Grand jury
CAUSE OF CRIME WAVE
World War, Dress or Auto, Not
To Blame; Reforms
Needed

members OF the grand jury for the
June term of the district court, who
were called in adjourned session on
Thursday to make further investiga-
tions into certain happenings In this
county, completed their labors yes
terday afternoon about five o'clock.
and 1t is understood that two indict-
ments were returned
Upon the completion of their la
bors, the members of the grand jury
We're complimented for their efficient
work in running down evidence,
which they lacked when they first
met in June. Judge Comstock in
dulged in a rather lengthy discussion
OF the need of each man taking upoE
himself the necessity of looking after
the morals Of his particular COM
munity. The court said that it is in
deed unfortunate that people seem to
labor under the impression that there
is at the present time sweeping over
seem to take things for granted.
Moral Status Has Fallen
The fact, it was stated is that the
moral status Of the world has fallen
almost to pieces. Unfortunately the
moral standards of the United States
are slipping, and in the state of Min
nesota they are slipping as fast as
any state in the union.
In order to combat this something
must be done by the people in their
own homes, for If the reforms are not
thus brought about the morals of the
country will fall so low that self gov
eminent will be endangered. Judge
Comstock said that he was saying
these things to the representative
men composing the grand jury, SO
that they could bring the message
back to their respective communities,
and use their influence in the uplift
of the community, and induce their
neighbors to also join in the good
work. An effort should be made to
bring about an understanding OF the
duties of the individual citizen to all
of the people; a realization of the
after the welfare and moral uplift of
the masses.
One of Our Greatest Duties
It should be the duty of everyone to
find out just what conditions exist
In his community, and IL they are not
of the right nature, try and find a
remedy. One of the greatest duties,
the court said was to clear the at
mosphere in moral sense. Judge
Comstock was not Of the opinion that
the great world war was the cause Of
but very few of the participants in
that great struggle, who have been
found lacking in morals. The OPP
posite Is more often the case. Some
blame It to the auto and some to the
present styles Of dress, but the court
did not take much stock in the dress
evil, for in darkest Africa where they
wear no clothes at all, the morals are
the purest in the world. Children in
many instances have drifted away
from the good old fashioned customs
of their forefathers, and are wont to
scoff at anything which brooches on
from sentimental sources that some
of the most noble deeds of the world
have sprung. One of the great faults
of the times, Judge Comstock said
that the people are not taking the
interest they should in the public
schools. It is up to the American
people in these ever changing times
to look to the schools as the places
of moulding the future citizens Of the
country.
Be WatehfuI Of Moral Standards
Judge Comstock was very outspok-
en- in his condemnation of the atti
immoral practices in this state. He
said that the same practices in the
southland would meet with sudden
death. If there is not a curb put on
some of the disregard for law and
order, lynching, etc., will take the
place of the law and people will take
things i'm their own hands. This Is
why everyone should be watchful of
the welfare Of his community. For
when morals become depraved the
nation toferating that condition soon
fall in decay. The court urged each
member of the grand jury to be es-
pecially watchful of the moral stand
ard in his community. Better con-
troll of the public dances Judge Com.
stock was a necessity, the control OF
gaming of all kinds should be under
strict observation and control. II
misconduct were permitted, 1t soon
becomes a habit. In closing Judge
Comstock said, that 1t would be bet
ter to get ack to the old honest way
of living the simple life, where people
will be content to work in the day
time and sleep at night.
John Wendt Sentenced.
Several court matters were dis.
posed of this forenoon in the district
court before Judge w. L. Comstock.
Among these was the case OF John
Wendt of Vernon Center. who was
arrested July Fourth by Deputy Sher-
iff n. T. Moore of Amboy on the
charge of manufacturing moonshine.
The defendant Thursday afternoon
pleaded guilty to an information
Charging the offense mentioned, and
this morning was sentenced by Judge
Comstock to pay fine OF $3.50 and
be confined in the county Jail for a
period of three days, but the jail
sentence was suspended and the de-
PENDANT paroled to his brother, Fred
Wendt, and required to report at the
next term Of the district court in
November The court in passing SEN
tence stated that in view of the fact
that the defendant made a full, fair
and frank confession as to his guilt,
1t was taken into consideration.
Otherwise had he fought the case
the sentence would have been per-
haps more severe.
John Wendt in a statement to The
Free Press this forenoon, claimed to
have gotten the worst Of 1t In an ar
ticle which appeared IN the Vernon
Center items in The Free Press OF
recent date. Mr.. Wendt wished to
state that he never had ten gallons
of moonshine in his possession, and
never bargained to sell that amount
or any quantity of the liquor to any
one. He stated that the name Char
les ellison in the Vernon Center ar