The Bozeman courier. (Bozeman, Mont.) 1919-1954, 1924-04-23

From the Butte Miner.

Let there be no doubt in the mind of anyone in Montana that
the overwhelming sentiment of the people of Silver Bow county
is for law enforcement.
Unfortunately for the reputation of Butte, local officials here
have been signany derelict in doing their sworn duty, with the re-
suit that the prohibition law has been openly and flagrantly viO-
lated, and the lawless element has appeared to exercise far greater
influence upon the peace officers than the law-abiding residents of
the city have been able to do.
Conditions came to such a pass in this community that a CON-
mittee of loyal citizens made a direct appeal to Attorney General
Rankin to take supervisory control of the situation, because it was
found to be hopeless to get the local officials to take any effectual
steps in this direction.
The evidence presented to Nh. Rankin was so conclusive of
arrogant violation of the law that he has not hesitated to come per-
sonaLy to Butte with the announced determination to clean up the
city.
In his statement, given to the Miner Friday, he wei said: at
is time for us to find out whether criminals are greater than the
law"
In response to that declaration, Attorney General Rankin will
find that he has all the ~law-abiding citizens of this community
standing squarely behind him and ready to give him their I'M
divided moral support.
Frequently in the past the Miner has called attention to the
fact that no official ever has to apologize for enforcing the law,
but it is the officers who fail in this respect who are continually
called upon to make excuses for their failure to do their duty, and
these excuses invariably are SO pusllanimous as to arouse nothing
but contempt for the individuals making them, in the minds of
the decent citizenship of their community.
1t often is surprising to notice what a poor opinion derelct
iofflcials invariably have of the public intelligence.
They never seem to realize that the average citizen is wise
enough to know when any laws are flagrantly and brazenly violated
that the law breakers have been given to understand that they viii
be protected, and this is prima facie evidence that grating is going
on In the community where this condition obtains.
When officers go into partnership with criminals, a commun-
lity is left in an almost defenseess condition.
Fortunately for Montana, this state has an attorney genera
OF sufficient fearlessness to do his duty and to stand I'D manfulIY
for law enforcement.
i 1t s nothing short of an outrage that he should feel compelled
! TO intervene personally in a situation of this kind, for in addition te
beng the legal adviser of the state, he also is chief counsel for the
r % counties in Montana, and I'll the other municipal subdivisions
s and yet ne has smaller office force than that granted to the count,
attorney of Silver Bow.
MI. Rankin has given his word that his "office will copcen
= fCrate upon Butte until conditions are changed and stav cban0a6 ,
8 and that CO tainly is a gratifying assurance to the ~law-abidins
g citizens of this con munty, who far outnumber the lawless anC
e criminally disposed.
1t lis only just to the attorney general to a that ba i ~,
a only official, not excepting the federal ones, whose duty if sbouls
be to enforce the prohibition law, who has shown a sincere desir
y and taken vigorous steps to purge Butte of its lawlessness.