The silver state. [volume] (Winnemucca, Nev.) 1909-1925, 1921-11-22
ATTORNEY GENE RAJ
FOR ENFORCEMENT

Early in September Editor Hale
of the Elko Independent INDUCED
interesting editorial comment on a
speech delivered earlier by Attor-
ney- General II. M. Daugherty. Mr..
Hale's confessions as a lawbreaker
and his indictments of his fellows
engaged in the great national pas
time were withal so interesting that
The Silver State reproduced the eff
fort. Alas and alack, ruthless con-
hagration interposed to prevent
publication as projected, yet the
type was spared, and the sentiment
remains timely, we still like Hal
Hale, and the first regular issue has
rather a yawning cavernous space,
so the linotype rack is made to
yield up the two. columns.
1t may be timely to suggest that
disregard for law begets disregard
for law in multifarious fashion that
would be the envy of the most pro-
life of the rodent tribe, just as
crime begets crime. And so the ad-
ministration at Washington, sound
ing warning of a purpose through
Mr. Daugherty, proposes to make
new and widespread changed ideals
and ideas of and about law.
Serious minded and discerning
people understand that no govern
ment can stand when assaulted by
lawbreakers. The situation of to-
day is little short of anarchy.
Now anarchy is not pleasant term
to use. 1t disturbs the peace of
mind of the average individual to
accept it in strict application to the
practices of the present period. 1t
is good to know that the president
and his advisers have sensed the
imminence of the dangers arising
from lackadaisical Interpretation of
law and propose to institute in the
most vigorous manner a revival of
practices which made federal law
thing to be respected in every nook
and Granny of this broad land.
Now for Hale:
On the 31st day of August H. M.
Daugherty, attorney general of the
United States, delivered an address
before joint session of the American
Bar Association upon the subject
of law enforcement. 1t was
an able address, as clear, concise and
well considered as any address 1t has
ever been our good fortune to read in
search of editorial inspiration. Best
of all its subject was most timely
for today, probably as never before,
this country needs to pause in its
blind catering to lawlessness. People
who otherwise consider themselves
good citizens must be brought up
short upon the abstract proposition
of their respect for the law, and
address shows that he,
one of the nations highest officials.
appreciates that fact The most
statement in his entire ad
dress is the following:
IF any citizen dislikes the law un
der which he is living, his relief is
through the legislative department of
government, and not through those
who, under the constitution, have
the sworn duty of enforcing the law.
AS citizen cannot choose what laws
he will obey, likewise those charged |
with law enforcement cannot choose |
what laws they will enforce. The |
only sound position for those who |
favor respect for law to take Is that |
those charged with law enforcement |
must enforce all the laws and all
good citizens must obey all the laws;
neither can exercise any right of
choice in this matter without plac-
ing themselves above the law. 1t is
the part of faithful officials to enforce
and the part of good citizens to obey
them"
Such a statement as this will, no
doubt, make many a good citizen do
some thinking. A great many Of us
fiatter ourselves that we are good
citizens, and yet es friend remarked
to the writer recently: Every day
there is some law or other that
everyone breaks-some little incon-
sequential law that is violated
thoughtlessly. but nevertheless we
break them" And he is correct
most of us do break laws thought
lessly. Perhaps all Of us know that