The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1926-06-15
THE LOGICAL RESULT

Those who may be shocked by the charge Of
! a young woman that she was hailed by an officer
OF the law as she was driving her automobile SLOWLY
along the highways, fired upon when she did not
stop because of her fear that the officers were
bandits and then Inundated by having her machine
searched for liquor, should have been more shocked
when laws were passed leading to this as general
practice.
Whether the young lady is entitled to damages
is matter for the courts.
But those who have homes or automoDles
should ask themselves whether they wish tnls very
logical result of the underlying theory OF the ANU
Saloon League to become general and customary
Very recently the head of that organization IN
this State declared that he believed CONSTITUTIONS
guarantees should be suspended for those guilty
of law violations.
He said that he had believed that it is more
important to enforce the liquor laws than 1t is 10
keep inviolate the protection OF the constitution.
If the charges of this young woman be true tnen
the perfect picture of what will happen Wnen tlliS
principle is established is presented
If the Constitution be suspended for those who
may not be entitled to any sympathy then 1t IS sns
pended for ALL and every citizen is open TO the arDF
trary acts of any official Of the law, from the nlgn
est officer to the most humble deputy OF any rulai
constable.
automobile then any home may be entered without
a warrant
If it be kiwful for men who merely guess that
an auto contains liquor to fire upon it, search it and
stop It then my man with tin badge can fire upon
any passing auto stop it and search 1t, subject us
owner and driver to all the inconvenience and hui
initiation possible
The logical result of such system is that every
automobile will be stopped and searched by every
constable fin every township by every policeman In
every city, as it passed down country roaes or
through the crowded thoroughfares.
Theione equitable and perfect result would be
daily sharch Of every automobile perhaps an
hourly jsearch.
THE same constitutional guarantee that protects
travelling automobiles, is the one safeguard of the
homeI from similar invasion.
WE can expect when the Constitution and the
bill bf rights especially is forgotten in the new ZEAL
THAI shoppers with badges and brief authority will
entIer homes at their pleasure, search the home
ONT any pretext annoy and humiliate citizens they
dislike
4 The law abiding are expected to yield to this
Sort of Russanism in order to enforce one law. IL
ks intimated that it is impossible to enforce that
flaw unless all willing to foregS their constltu
ona rights in order that law volators who may for
felt consideration, may be disclosed
The spirit of the law and especially the fanatical
viewpoint of the profe ssona leaders of prohibition
in this State drives us fast in this direction
If you are ready to live under system of es
pionage and snooperism, here is the opportunity
If you believe the ideal of the founders OF the re-
public is preferable, it is time to get rid OF laws
that make such incidents possible.
Trying to get damages from officers who make
mistakes is not the answer.