Jasper County Democrat, Volume 15, Number 21, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 15 June 1912 — On Which Side Are You? [ARTICLE]

On Which Side Are You?

City Marshal Mustard may have his faults—few of us have none—but one of his faults, in the opin- 1 ion of a certain element ’in Rens-' eelaer, is his impartiality in the en-' forcemeat of the law. Not tech-' nical enforcement, but reasonable and practical enofrcement. In doing this, it seems to us, he should have 1 the support of every law-abiding citizen in Rensselaer, and they should let it be known that they are* back of him. A man remarked the other day] that “no one can be marshal of Rensselaer tinless he stands in with l the ‘boys!’” And by the “boys”] is meant the sports, the gamblers and other law violators. Do you want, Mr. Citizen, a marshal who will “stand in with the boys” with all the phrase implies, or do you want a marshal who tries to do his duty both as a pub- 1 lie officer and a good citizen? Sup- 1 pose we had a mayor and a marshal' who would give “the boys” free* rein to do just as they pleased;' who would let the auto speed maniacs race through the streets at* any speed they chose, What sort of a city would we have after awhile?! It has been said that where law' enforcement and lax morals exist l that it is so because the people* want it that way. We cannot and do not believe the people of Rensselaer as a whole want their cityj government run wholly to suit “the' boys,” and if they do not they should encourage the mayor and city officers in > their efforts for a reasonable enforcement of the law. Marshal Mustard was “all right” until he and Nightwatch Critser arrested a bunch of poker players about a year ago. Since then he has been “unpopular” and a certain bunch have been after his scalp. The Democrat hopes that it may never see the day when,, for the plaudits of the rabble, it will take' a stand against any public officer who honestly and impartially tries to do his duty. The Democrat always has been on the side of law and order, and, please God, it always will be under its present management.