The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1922-12-11
TULSA LIQUOR CASE

Governor Robertson did the right thing in in
strucung the attorney general to send representa-
tive OF his department to investigate charges OF lax
law enforcement in Tulsa County
c. W. King, an assistant to the attorney general
was assigned to the He went to Tulsa, and
Immediately his inquiry got under way, he found
that twentysix liquor cases had been dismissed by
County Attorney W. F. Seaver
Seaver was quoted as saying at the time that it
did not matter to him "f liquor flowed the streets "
His explanation was, according newspaper reports
that so far as he could learn, the people of Tulsa
and Tulsa County did not want the prohibory laws
enforced.
Later he stated that he dismissed the cases in or
der to give his successor who takes office shortly
after the first OF January, a clean slate
Seavers first explanation is no defense 1t is not
within the province OF law officer to probe public
sentiment before proceeding against flagrant vio-
latons OF the law The duties Of public prosecutor
are not defined, in the statute books, in any such
wiShywashy manner as that
The state prohbitory law is written very plainly
on the statute books OF Oklahoma Even if the entire
population OF a community is opposed to its en-
torcement II IS the duty OF the county attorney who
represents the state to that it is enforced. We
cant revert to local option, in the matter OF liquor
any more than we could on the question OF slavery.
There is an element in Tulsa, which, it is to be
hoped, is in the majority that wants prohibition en-
forced This element, representing the chamber OF
commerce and the churches, find expression through
what is known as the purity squad"
The purity squad is aiding the assistant attorney
general in his investigation, which, according to Mr.
Kings latest statement, has uncovered other corrupt
practices, in addition to non-eniorcement
He has extended his investigation into the Justice
vh ba hoe
bonds.
Petition for reinstatement OF the twenty-six liquor
cases dismissed by Seaver has been granted This
decision was made in the county court following the
filling by Mr.. King OF amended petition for the re-
instatements, based on the ground that the minutes
OF the court did not show any reason for the dis
mssals
lhe county attorneys desire to leave his success
sor clean slate was expressed only in a statement
to the newspapers 1t could not, by any means be
considered valid reason" for dismssing the
cases.
The assistant attorney general has filed custer
proceedings against County Attorney Seaver hearing
OF which will be held December l3
score OF witnesses, including the entire per-
sonne OF the Tulsa Purity Squad have been sub
poenaed and will appear for the state at this
hearing.
The question might arise, in this connection as
10 whether 1t Is worth while to have the county at
iorney oused since his term will expire within less
than month.
The highest consideration in a matter OF this |
Kind is the public interest Nolaors must be given
to understand that they will not be permitted TO
escape the law II they are receiving immunity
through an indifferent or corrupt official that official
ought 20 be put out OF office, even on the eve of
his retirement