The Press., 1884-05-15
LETTER FROM MINNESOTA.
Minneapolis, Minn., April 2s, 1884

Minneapolis, M1nn., ApFil Z3, IoSt
 For several years this city has been ruled by low, vile element, and lnlqulty has abounded on every hand. In her hls- tory Minneapolis has had some of the worst characters for mayors city ever was cursed with, and he. last ex-mayor is to be numbered among them. Under his rule vice and crime were fostered, and, as a consequence, multiplied. The worst characters in the country infested the city, and life, itself, was getting to be very un safe in any part of it. The liquor, gam bling and brothel interest receivedespec al encouragement, and the patnoals thereof carried their heads higlaad their hearts. stout. Ex-Mayor Arms served himself and the Devil, and iniquity not only mted up her head, but shook It dtfiantlE Now there are in this city mfanG noble men aud women who hate the abour0lpg wee, q have groaned under its opprd#slve weight Politically, three parties haya been direct ly involved in the governments of the cify the republic iii, democratle and the pros hibition. The democratic las bs,sa on tine side of vice and crime-the Stronghold Qf it, one may say; the republican has beesi ol the other side, and in elections would have been glad to inaugurate better con- dition of affairs but without the prohibi- tion element was hardly strong enough to defeat the democracy. The prohibition element here forms an organization by It. self. and is known as the third party. It. is out and out no license. Now these men who are this party are mostly from the Ie- publican ranks, and there are several thousand in the city. The question ot city reform has been 8 question of liquor restriction, and on this men could lot agree. Some, like the prohibitionists, must have nothing less than the annlh1la- tion of the traffic in liquors others, or the republicans, despairing of that, struck for high license now so much in favor through out the land. The third party was not strong enough to elect its own ticket but it was strong enough to throw the election into the hands of the democratic party, which it was glad to do, not because 1t loved that party, but because it hoped ill this way to drive the republicans to itself As consequence the city rule has been democratic. The burden of vice and law lessness became too insuppertable. The liquor interest strengthened itself every where Their manufacturers increased their business by renting rooms or build ings in different parts of the city, where saloons were opened and put in the charge of men hired by them. One manufac- turer, am told, supplied no less thanss nsssix- ty such saloons. This was smart stroke of business, but it helped to make and quicken thought in the right direction. The license was so lew man could afford to do this, and the ordinance, governing the whole business, allowed man except ional advantages. Saloons were put in everywhere there was possible chance, and with the result we have said. A change was inevitable; itYcame, as it al ways will when the better element gets on its feet and moves itself ..aright. The pro- hibitionists did not surrender their ticket, but many of them went with the republl- cans, ,kwho put up for mayor and aldermen good men who were favorable to high h- cense. There was defection insthe dem ocratic ranks, the best element there re- fusing longer to be affiliated with the dis reputable class that.had so long controlled the party, and the result, was grand tri- umph for law, order and decency.
 MT. Pillsbury, the new mayor, is man of years and large business experience in the city, He is Baptistsd tsdeacon, and has general respect and confidence.
 The new administration startsss off we'll. A new liquor ordinance has just been pass ~etsswhich has these among its good fea- lures: the license is fixed at $500 no per son can have license under twenty-one years of age, or who will not superintend in person the management of the busine s, and carry it on for himself, and not as the agent of another; no liquor is to be solder given away to any minor or habitual drunk ard gambling of every kind is prohibited ill any building where liquor of any kind is retailed or sold, or where 1t is rented or controlled by any person who has license to sell liquors.
 It is believed that this rapidly growing city has entered upon a new era of moral life. There is growing up here a strong constitutional prohibition sentiment, which one day will put this state alongside Of Kansas and Iowa. o. P. CHAMPLIN