The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1923-01-02
RESPECT FOR
LAW IS ASKED
BY MR.. SHAFER
New Attorney General Says
Sentiment of Community
Counts Strongly
WANTS AID OF ALL

An appeal for law enforcement and
greater respect for the law was
made today by George F. Shafer,
when he assumed the position of at
torney general Mr.. Skaters state
ment follows:
Upon the occasion of taking over
the office of attorney general. de-
sire to call attention TO the need TO.
the better law enforcement and
greater respect for law in our state.
While the duty of enforcing the
criminal laws rests primarily with
the officers elected or appointed for
that purpose, the duty of respecting
the law, and of cooperating in the
enforcement of the same, rests with
the people. Low enforcement cam
not be made effective and successful,
however energetic and able your Of
ficials may be, unless the public rem
ders active and sympathetic support
to their efforts. Generally, local Of
fcers enforce the law to abovt the
extent which the people of the dis
trict which elects them, desire and
demand. Thus, in county or city
where the public sentiment demands
effective enforcement, the officers,
responding to that sentiment, will
make especial efforts to get results,
and will succeed in proportion to the
effort made, and support received;
whereas, in city or county where
the public sentiment is Indifferent or
lukewarm toward the enforcement Of
certain laws, the officers Interpreting
such public opinion as mandate
against enforcement, will not take
the responsibility of running counter
to such public sentiment. Hence, the
supreme need of strong, crystalized
public opinion in support of law en-
forcement.
1--WE are living in abnormal times !;
in period of business depression
and unrest, and are suffering from
an unprecedented crime wave which
is nation wide. Crimes against life
and property, and against the pro-
hihition laws are on the increase
and there is Il great need, not only
for a tightening of the lines among
officials charged with the duty of up
pronounced and emphatic public de-
mand for such enforcement. The
lawIess elements in society have
conspired to evade the laws when
ever, and wherever it is profitable
for them to do so, and to aid those
among them who commit crimes, to
escape the penalties. There is &
mutual sympathy among all classes
and grades of law violaters, which
serves as a mutual bond of protec
ton. They labor ceaselessly t.
break down respect for the Law
among the people and constantly cir
culate propaganda intended and de
signed to divert and confuse public
opinion, and to obstruct the enforce
ment of the criminal statutes. 1t, there
fore, ehooves the law abiding citi
zens of the state and county to unite
in the support Of law and order, tt
offset the effects of this giganti
conspiracy in lawlessness, to vigil
anty, openly and aggressively sup
port those in authority in their eff
forts to punish criminals and sup
press crime.
81 am not fanatic in any line Of
law enforcement; but believe in 1
firm, steady, aggressive and impair
tial enforcement Of all the crimina
laws on the statute books, for the
protection of all people and all law
full interests in the state. The duty
of observing the laws is upon us all
The duty of enforcing them rest:
upon local peace officers, constables
marshals, and magistrates, no less
than upon the sheriffs, states attor
neys and state officers and, to as
sist them in the discharge of theil
duties, the people of the state should
give them whole-hearted and undi
vided support. I enlist the earnes
co-operaion of all citizens for a gov
eminent of law and order in NORTH
Dakota"