The evening herald. (Klamath Falls, Or.) 1906-1942, 1922-04-28
LAW AND ORDER
D RESPONSIBILITY for the on.

p RESPONSIBILITY for the on.
~ forcemont of the law rests upon
the men chosen by the people 20 exer-
else their will In executive and Judi.
cial office. The judicial or executive
officer does not make the law, II Is
his sole business to interpret in the
one instance, or administer in the
other, the law rs Il is written by
public servants In the legislative
branch.
He may heartily disapprove OF the
existing law, but his official acts
should not DO swayed by his private
feelings. The law Is presumed 10 be
on the statute books by the will and
because Of the action OF the majority:
and tho same majority has delegated
TO judges, governors, mayors. coun.
Gilman. and other officers the one
common duty--to interpret the law
and administer the isw according 20
the letter OF the law. and In no de-
gree otherwise.
In n country such as ours. where
the will OF the people Is supreme,
wherc laws can be made-and un-
reasonable or discriminatory laws can
be unmade-whenever the people de-
sire. there is no excuse for secret
methods. nor invisible empire.
Attempt to enforce the law by 9th.
er than orderly process is certain to
lead TO dire consequences. California
Is suffering now In several communi-
ties. because sworn officers OF the
law connived with interests having
selfish ends to serve. to set aside the
impartial and exact methods OF
maintaining Law and order.
VIII Oregon prefit by the califor-
MAS exampie' Several Oregon towns
have already hac minor outrases
against good government. Do the citi-
zens OF this state wish 10 see mob
rule prevail as In the Los Angeles
tragedy; or anarchy reign over q
whole county As II virtually reiens
in Kern county?
Discussing the matter, the Nodes
TO Herald lays its finger upon the
very center OF csusation when II
says:
Ouilawry. whether 70 be the
manifestation OF the Ku Klux Klan
or bootleggers. cannot be permit
ted by any community to gain the
upper hand without final disas- |
trous results not simply to individ-
but the entire locality affected.
Kern county. California. Is find
ing IL out.
The reign Of outlawry In Kern !
had its beginnings In the high |
handed practices OF the oil strikers !
when, through the conntvance OF |
constables OF that territory they |
made themselves deputies and took |
control OF the territory in the pre-
tense Of upholding law and order. |
u may DC Luob tue pttbsht
ties Of night riders in Kern county |
are merely under guise OF the ku
Klux as matter OF connivance,
Regardless of the organization or
purpose back Of the cowardly thugs
there Is but one means OF checking
their career-the force OF the law.
Organized violence may gener'
ally be counted upon TO be coun-
hi ls,A
now has both the group OF night
terrorizers wearing the garb OF the
Ku Klux and another black hooded
force operating against them. Beset
by these two organizations the oil
fields OF Kern county can hardly
be considered q safe place In which
TO live Continuance or these DEM
onstrations OF lawlessness viii
eventually bring disgrace and re-
gret TO Kern county. Law-abiding
citizens have dire need to urge
upon their peace officers the en-
phatic necessity for drastic. organ
tied effort to run these cowardly
yiolators Of law and decency to
earth.
The man or set of men who have
to mask themselves and move un-
der cover OF darkness against the
unsuspecting OF inferior strength
manifest nothing but the dirtiest
Of eowardice. Their very methods
of action are sufficient TO condemn
them before all men who respect
open courage. And cowardice Is
generally the most fiendish and
ruthless tyrant encountered by any
victim. The unbridled reign Of
cowardice In Kern county Is OF Wit
al import to all California-the
state should demand its prompt
and decisive abatement. II Kern
county can't handle the situation
at once the state government