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Show THE SALT LAKE "HERALD" AND THE LIQUOR TRAFFIC. It was with feelings of mingled surprise and regret that the Logan subscribers of the Salt Lake Herald read, in the issue of that paper dated Aug. 18th, the following article under the caption: "Logan Liquor Cases." The city of Logan has a prohibition against the sale of intoxicating liquors, notwithstanding which, however, liquor is sold, persons do get drunk and act as they do in other communities. The city authorities having determined to make it unpleasant for those who sold the article in violation of ordinance, if they could not stop, secured the services of a detective, or as such a person is more affectionately styled hereabouts-a "spotter." This fellow is a Salt Laker, who was in the gin business here himself, and, it is understood, offered his services to the authorities here as a spotter, but they were declined. He went to Logan on the same train as a highly respected Salt Lake gentleman-whom he deceived-through whose courtesy he was introduced to one of the parties where liquor could be obtained. With this foothold he went to work among others, and finally made out seven cases, some of which have been tried and one has been appealed to the District Court. The fellow who has done the spotting, as one would naturally suppose, is in very bad odor, and some threats were reported heard of giving him a good licking. The individual thus attacked is a member of the police force of Logan city, and thus far has proven himself to be a faithful, discreet and intelligent officer. Some weeks ago he was employed by Logan city to obtain evidence against a class of persons who were daily becoming more openly defiant in their violations of a city ordinance, framed in the interests of morality, religion and the welfare of the community, and prohibiting the sale of intoxicants. He proceeded with the work assigned him to a skillful, proper and officer-like manner, and was quite successful, eleven cases against liquor sellers having been made through his efforts. Of his course before coming to Logan we are prepared to say little or nothing; we only know that since having been in the employ of Logan city he has conducted himself as an officer and a gentleman should, besides having given evidence of more than ordinary courage, coolness and bravery while in the performance of his duty. The principal objection to the article, however, is not that it attacks an officer who has won the confidence of the public of our city, but it is because that, in spirit, tone, and words, it is in sympathy with a class of individuals in this city who are held in unmitigated detestation by nine-tenths of our citizens. Nor is this all: the article casts odium upon a man because he performed the duties of a detective, or became what the Herald contemptuously styles a "spotter," and thereby reflects upon the city government that employed him. If the work is disreputable, the dishonor attending it is shared equally by the employer and employed. There is no more disgrace connected with the labors of a detective engaged in obtaining evidence against a criminal, than attaches to those of the public prosecutor who pleads that evidence in court, or the judge or jury who weighs it. We have before noticed, in the columns of the Herald, articles that were calculated to afford aid or comfort or both, to whisky men, and the disbelief of that paper in the policy or practicability of prohibition has often been shown in its editorials. The Herald is a journal that we have always sincerely respected, because of its independent and outspoken advocacy of the rights and interests of the masses of the people of Utah. But we are convinced that the Herald loses respect and confidence among those who support it, by its policy and tone upon the general subject of the liquor traffic. The feeling of the mass of the people of this Territory is in favor of prohibition, which would be the rule in nearly every county and municipality in it, could the majority have their way, and when the Herald or any other journal manifests a sympathy in favor of the liquor traffic, particularly when it is carried on in contravention of prohibitory municipal ordinances, it will certainly lose in reputation and patronage among the masses of the people. If the Herald conscientiously believes that the license system is in the best interests of society, it may give the reasons for its faith without incurring odium, but when it condescends to make its columns the medium through which can be expressed the spleen of such disreputable persons as have been brought to justice through the labors of a detective officer in this city, it will certainly lose more than it will gain in every way. |