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Show PRESERVATION OF THE PEACE This paper is published in the interests of its supporters. It is [unreadable] to the maintenance of law, order, justice, morality and of the best interests of the public generally. This being the case, we cannot remain silent upon so important a subject as the preservation of the public peace, when circumstances exist which endanger it. Such circumstances exist today in Logan, and they greatly need to be remedied. There is probably no town in Utah having nearly our population, in which the administration of municipal law is so lax as it is here. Breaches of the peace are constantly taking place, yet arrests are rare. The enjoyment of any public assembly, gathered for an evening's entertainment, is insecure, as any "hoodlum" present may mar the pleasure of the whole assembly by disorderly conduct, with perfect impunity, and every assurance that no officer even should one be present, will [unreadable] to molest him in his deviltry. The officers we have in this town are absolutely phenomenal in their patience ? and forbearance. We prefer these [unreadable] though others use instead, "carelessness" and "indifference to the rights of the public." The other evening at the theatre there were proceedings on the part of a numerous "hoodlum" element, that would have lead to the instant clearing and closing of the building had it been in almost any of the large and "wicked" cities of the [unreadable]. Insulting remarks were thrown at the actors as they appeared on the stage, there was yelling, whistling and hallooing, and such disorder as destroyed the enjoyment of the respectable portion of the audience. And yet, remarkable to state, in the midst of the bedlam, sat the city marshal and two police officers, and neither of them raised a finger to quell the disorder ? or to protect the respectable portion of the assembly in their rights! Instead of being representatives of the majority of the law, they have allowed themselves, by their forbearance, (we will not use a stronger term) to become the butt of the "hoodlum" element of this town, who have as little respect for their authority as they have of fear lest it should be exercised. In their capacity as private citizens, we have the highest respect for our city marshal and policemen. They are useful, moral and highly respectable citizens. But so far as their services for the preservation of the peace and punishment of law breakers is concerned, they have failed to satisfy [unreadable] demands, or to meet the expectations of the public. Why such should be the case, is probably best known to themselves. Why did they volunteer to [unreadable] of an officer, the duties of which they did not except to perform? Why do they permit themselves to be called city officers and to be looked up to, by the public, for protection, unless they expect to accept that protection? We do not wish to be offensively personal. We feel too serious upon this subject to be abusive towards any one, but the public support the press as an advocate of its rights and interests, and it is in this capacity that we wish to treat our present theme. The members of the Dramatic Club pay a license of five dollars for each performance, for the purpose of having themselves and their patrons protected during it. In the name of justice, then, why are they and their patrons not protected? If the promised ? protection cannot be given, let the city government make its feeble acknowledgements or its acknowledgements of feebleness, rather, by ceasing to require a license to pay for that which be not received. There is good society in Logan, and the moral standard of the majority of our citizens is high. This is not a mining camp, where ruffians are applauded. It is a community of order-loving, peaceable people, who desire, above all temporal things, the preservation of law and order, and the city government and officers will have abundant backing from the people, if they will only adopt a vigorous system of enforcing the law. We believe in the efficiency of preaching, on appropriate occasions, but would suggest that it is no time for a sermon [unreadable] of "hoodlums", are transforming an entertainment into a bedlam, or raising a row on the street. One good police officer, who will do his duty, is worth more than a host of preachers, on such an occasion, and a night in jail. Followed by a liberal arrangement by a magistrate, will do more to inspire a "hoodlum" with a respect for law than a thousand sermons could. We do not advocate unnecessary harshness, but we do advocate [unreadable] enforcement of the law, the preservation of the public peace and the protection of our citizens in the undisturbed enjoyment of an entertainment for which they have paid their money. We know of no way of accomplishing this, except by enforcing the civil law with rigor. Commence to do this and it will not be long before the "hoodlum" will become more tame, and a less rigorous [unreadable], unnecessary. But at present the "hoodlum" element look upon municipal ordinances much as they do upon the Word of Wisdom, as something to be kept or broken at their pleasure, and they should be appraised ? of their delusion in a manner that will impress upon their minds a wholesome respect for law and the rights of persons and the public. |