New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1923-03-01
CIVIC SAFETY LEAGUE

CIVIC SAFETY LENG't
When a number of good people or
a community band together for the
furtherance of any purpose, there
should be extreme care used In criti-
Ching their action. 1t is probable that
the community would be more
peaceful, clean, law-abiding one II
every resident of it were inspired by
as high motives and lived the sort OF
lives the members Of such band
lead. They are worthy citizens and
their presence in a community adds
stability to it.
The avowed object Of the newly
formed Civic Safety League is the en-
forcement of all laws and the placing
of good men in local official positions.
This may we'll be the wish of all citi-
zens of New Britain; it should be the
wish of all. But it may well be, also,
that thoughtful people will not agree
with the members of the Civic
League that the way to enforce law
and secure good men in Office is
through the activities of a semi-pri-
vate organization. 1t may we'll be that
thoughtful people, loking beyond the
surface disturbances Of the day, de-
plore the tendency of groups of men
and women to set Themselves up as
judges of what is right and what is
wrong; who are faithful officials"
and who are ''unfaithful officials"
And 1t may well be that thoughtful
people are convinced that law en-
forcement should come through the
agencies chosen by the people as a
whole to enforce the law, rather than
through independent bodies who may
become active even to the extent of
engaging detectives if necessary to as
sist in enforcing the laws of the city"
This newspaper believes it is not
misjudgng the new league in assum-
lHS ludt It's lilteiil Pun puoc 10 SHioiSC-
men of the yolstead act and other
dry" regulations The chief speaker
evening was the State Superintendent
of the Anti-Saloon League, a position
which corresponds to be one held by
William H. Anderson, under fire
in New York state. No odious COM
tended although there was an Ander-
son-like ring to the speakers innuen-
do that it is possible some judges, by
their actions, cooperate with GRIM
inals in the matters of liquor. Tn
doubtedly the speaker of the evening |
is moved by the most lofty motives |
and is entitled to all the respect due |
one of his calling which is the minis
try. Other members of the League, |
known personally, are likewise men |
of sterling worth. Their motives are
beyond suspicion; their methods alone
are susceptible of criticism.
Any movement which has for its
purpose the creating of public senti-
mcnt in favor of law enforcement has
the unqualified support of this news
paper. But this newspaper does not |
feel that enforcement of the law
should be taken out of the hands of |
the official representatives of the peo-
pie, elected by the people, and par
TALLY placed in the hands of an or
ganization willing to make use of the
secret methods of private detectives
to accomplish its purposes The time
has not come when any small body |
of men and women in this or any |
other community is competent to
Neclare that their methods are the
proper methods; their way of life the
only right way Educate the people,
bring the facts before the people, but
do not take it for granted that the
ajority of the people-the ones who
have the vote and who put men into
Office and remove them from office
are fools or ignoramuses or Grimm
ais. The people of this country are
still able to take care OF themselves
and they will have their way in the
end. This newspaper is glad of it. 1t
should be reiterated that the methods.
not the spirit of the League are here
q rificized