The call of the North. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1923-1924, 1924-01-02
Did Khan Celebrate Bootlegge
Conviction?
DUNCAN Might Use Excess Energy
In His Official Duties to
Advantage.
xxx

by special dispatch that the ku
Klux Klan is alleged to have burned
a Fiery Cross to celebrate the con-
viction of bootlegger by the name
of Oscar Clausen. Of course, it is
needless to state that Klansmen are
always happy when violators of the
law get the full penalty of each and
every violation. 1t would not be
strange if they used some conspicuous
sign to show their appreciation of
official action, which brought about
the arrest, conviction and judgment
of the law violator, so it might be
possible that the burning of the
cross in Owatonna was such an ap-
probation.
Mr.. Clausen made a feeble defense
when he claimed that he was totally
ignorant of how the moonshine came
to be placed in his car. Of course,
where ignorance is bliss, it is folly
to be wise, but in this instance, the
law refused to recognize Mr.. Clau-
sens ignorance. We do not know
how long it has been impressed upon
the public that ignorance of the law
is no excuse whatever for any viola
ton. Yet at times officials are leni-
ent when justice should be done, with
out fear and without favor. We are
glad to note that in Steele County
there are officials who see the import
ance of doing their duty at all times,
regardless of the individuals in
volved. To these officials, we extend
a true expression of appreciation for
the good work they have done.
The Ku. Klux Klan of Owatonna
is supposed to have erected the
cross which was given to the flames
en- the Steele County court house
lawn. Just as soon as Chief of Po-
lice Thomas Dunigan, A good K. c.,
by the way, learned of the burning
cross, he thought it his official duty
to rush over there and attempt to
kick down the Klan symbol. His
official dignity burst and, with the
explosion, came an Grafton, wherein
he expressed in glowing terms, filled
with Precipitation, what he would
have done to the perpetrators of this
heinous crime, had he caught them.
Of course, the one-act vaudeville show
brought forth many smiles and sew
eral Ha Has, which didn't amuse
the Chief in the least. We under
stand that the Chief did not respond
to a single encore, but then, that is
his business and we got a nickle's
worth as it was, but, thinking over
various matters, the thought comes
to US emphatically, which suggests
that the K. C. chief of police might
use his zeal to better advantage in
checking up on law violations in
Owatonna. If DUNCAN were as
jealous in the performance of his
official duties as he is in trying to
stampede the Klan, he might fill his
Office more advantageously. No doubt
there are few bootleggers and pet
ty thieves in Owatonna which should
be apprehended and the sooner the
better. Couldn't the Chief use few
extra hour in running down various
law violators in the Southern Mime
sofa City? We know positively that
the ciizens of Owatonna would ap-
preciate the arrest of numerous un-
social creatures who manage to evade
somehow, the Chief of Policies activ-
tiles, but, of course, if X. c. DUNCAN
thinks it helps matters any to smash
his toes on a Fiery Cross, why should
we protest? A wild outburst on the
part of the Chief is so funny that a
good laugh always results. Anyway,
has Owatonna in the Chief of Policies
office-a comedian, or something else?
The cross which Chief DUNCAN
tried to topple over by a few we'll
directed kicks was perhaps thirty
feet in height and had been planted
very nearly four feet in terra firma.
The failure of the Chief to kick down
the Fiery Cross was greeted with
smiles-yes, and even outbursts Of
laughter. If the Chief would practice
la savate for a time, he might be
more successful when the next Fiery
Cross appears. .-.