The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1940-04-24
Test Your Officers

The Voice has previously called attention of the people of
the state to conditions of fragrant violations of the state
law against gambling which is many the larger
cities of the state and in of the smaller municipalities
as well.
In Helena public opinion exemplfed by activ
ty of the militant Ministerial Association this city, have
with steps to purge this blot on the civic life of the
city Week before last the Association seized and destroyed
large number of slot machines and other gambling Devices
estimated to have been of a value of than $4,000
The Association has been and still circulating petitions
calling for grand jury, for federal investigation and de-
mandng of local officers the enforcement of the angambng
laws
In previous account activities to enforcement
the city of Helena, related that by the
of Cole had filed charges against law enforcement officers
for failure do their duty These charges dismissed
motion of the county attorney who judging by his
failure enforce the angamblng laws, constantly violated
during his term of office apparently not disposed to try
the officers charged.
Last Thursday afternoon with past
utaon employed as bartender and occasional in
of the places by George Cooney repued "boss
gambler" attacked Cole and beat him mercilessy Cole
signed complaint against the whose name Brennan
charging him with second degree assault felony This
done without consulting the county attorney.
The preliminary hearing the charges against Brennan
set for 10 o'clock Monday morning. Brennan
resented the hearing by Sherman Smith who also represents
others charged in another complaint with gambling and
apparently the acceptable mouhpece for the Helena
bling clique.
When the county attorney arrived stipulated with Smith
that the charges should be reduced to third degree assault
and to the amazeent of those present. the county attorney
made objections that audible and the impression
that this step had been planned beforehand.
Smith, attorney for Brennan announced that settle
had been made for 5000 with Cole for the damages he
Cole desired the msdemeanor charge
dismissed The county attorney then Saved face by making
technical objections but for of those present. in
in law enforcement these objections did not con
tue any vndcaton county attorneys former neglect
to enforce the anti-gambling laws.
This incident here in Helena indicative of what the a
of officers will probably be found to be in other places
where efforts force them do their duty undertaken
the citizens may be assumed that where they ignore
the violations of the law they do it for both
reasons the acceptance of price for Overlooking
violations for political support and campaign conbu
tons from the engaged in the illegal practices
citizens of Montana test the character
the officers their communities
if they will enforce the laws they have placed
themselves positions through venay where they dare not
take action against the racketeers.
The Voice suggests that high time for the decent law
abiding citizens every community in this study
conditions existing and they find laws being violated they
may that the conditions exist that obtain in the
capitol city county attorney and sheriff and
other officers who apparently deliberately for
of their own failed fulfill their duties prescribed by the