Thank you for visiting SNEWPapers!
Sign up free
Editorial
February 26, 1931
Imperial Valley Press
El Centro, Imperial County, California
What is this article about?
Editorial criticizes Chicago's tolerance of gangsters under Mayor William Hale Thompson, blames his leadership for lawlessness, notes poor election choices, and warns of national indifference to crime.
Clipping
OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
CHICAGO SATISFIED
With the eyes of the entire nation, if not of the world, upon them, Chicagoans this week gave evidence that all the spouting about "reform", "cleanups" "death to gangsters" and that sort of drivel, is just that—drivel.
How responsible Mayor William Hale Thompson is for present conditions in the Windy City, is difficult to say. That he is responsible in great measure, few will deny. As the executive head of the city's government, it is his duty to uphold law and order and give the law-abiding citizens something they do not get—a chance to be protected by the law.
Big Bill has been content to be a figurehead mayor, leaving the gangsters, hoodlums and outlaws to run wild over the city and set up within the government that rules by law, a government that rules by force and intimidation.
True the people of Chicago were not given much choice in having to choose between Big Bill and Judge Lyle. The latter is just one more political grandstander, who was able to make political capital out of bombast and high sounding phrases, issued from the judicial bench.
But there must be any number of the right sort of men in Chicago with enough interest in their city to seek the opportunity to wrench power away from the Thompsons and the Lyles. But such a man was not forthcoming in the recent primary election.
The orderly element was apparently willing to let things go on as they are, rather than take up the cudgels against the unruly faction. It takes sacrifice and courage to whip down a machine such as Big Bill has built up, and the spirit to sacrifice and fight was lacking in quarters where it should have been found.
It really is none of our business, nor the business of anyone who does not live in Chicago. If they are content with the conditions under which they live, it is their funeral not ours. But it is a pity that the greatest city in the west has to wear such a black eye before the rest of the world.
What is happening in Chicago can happen in the rest of the nation. Indifference on the part of good citizens is the biggest obstacle law and order have to face in the United States.
This rain can't last forever, but it can last for too darn long which is almost as bad.
With the eyes of the entire nation, if not of the world, upon them, Chicagoans this week gave evidence that all the spouting about "reform", "cleanups" "death to gangsters" and that sort of drivel, is just that—drivel.
How responsible Mayor William Hale Thompson is for present conditions in the Windy City, is difficult to say. That he is responsible in great measure, few will deny. As the executive head of the city's government, it is his duty to uphold law and order and give the law-abiding citizens something they do not get—a chance to be protected by the law.
Big Bill has been content to be a figurehead mayor, leaving the gangsters, hoodlums and outlaws to run wild over the city and set up within the government that rules by law, a government that rules by force and intimidation.
True the people of Chicago were not given much choice in having to choose between Big Bill and Judge Lyle. The latter is just one more political grandstander, who was able to make political capital out of bombast and high sounding phrases, issued from the judicial bench.
But there must be any number of the right sort of men in Chicago with enough interest in their city to seek the opportunity to wrench power away from the Thompsons and the Lyles. But such a man was not forthcoming in the recent primary election.
The orderly element was apparently willing to let things go on as they are, rather than take up the cudgels against the unruly faction. It takes sacrifice and courage to whip down a machine such as Big Bill has built up, and the spirit to sacrifice and fight was lacking in quarters where it should have been found.
It really is none of our business, nor the business of anyone who does not live in Chicago. If they are content with the conditions under which they live, it is their funeral not ours. But it is a pity that the greatest city in the west has to wear such a black eye before the rest of the world.
What is happening in Chicago can happen in the rest of the nation. Indifference on the part of good citizens is the biggest obstacle law and order have to face in the United States.
This rain can't last forever, but it can last for too darn long which is almost as bad.
What sub-type of article is it?
Crime Or Punishment
Partisan Politics
What keywords are associated?
Chicago Gangsters
Mayor Thompson
Law And Order
Political Corruption
Citizen Indifference
What entities or persons were involved?
Mayor William Hale Thompson
Big Bill
Judge Lyle
Chicagoans
Editorial Details
Primary Topic
Criticism Of Chicago's Gangster Problem And Political Leadership
Stance / Tone
Critical Of Mayor Thompson And Citizen Indifference
Key Figures
Mayor William Hale Thompson
Big Bill
Judge Lyle
Chicagoans
Key Arguments
Chicagoans Demonstrate Tolerance For Reform Rhetoric But Not Action Against Gangsters
Mayor Thompson Largely Responsible For Failing To Uphold Law And Order
Thompson Acts As Figurehead Allowing Gangsters To Control The City
Voters Had Poor Choices Between Thompson And Judge Lyle
Lack Of Suitable Candidates To Challenge Corrupt Leadership
Orderly Citizens Show Indifference Rather Than Fighting Corruption
Chicago's Issues Reflect National Problem Of Citizen Indifference To Law And Order