Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1890-06-05
Letter From Minnesota.
Young MEMS CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION.
MEMS MISSION 1873 f. 7rH. ST.,
st. Paul, MINI, May l2, 80.

MEMS Mission. 1873 f. 7TH. ST.,
st. Paul, MINI, May l2, 30.
Dear american
We had an election In this city last Tues
day, the result all that the rum elemen
could ask for. In order TO give "Mr. Ed
itor' an idea of the many different nation
Antics here assembled a sample ballot with
instructions to vote, in six languages, not
counting English,ls enclosed. The election
was held under the Australian system, and
so Tar as | know, was fair and peaceable
The saloons were kept closed all the day
though the police can't close them on Sun.
| DAY A law was passed at the last session
Oh the legislature to punish a man, if he
patTonized the licensed drunkard makers
100 freely, l. e., to the extent of getting
drunk How much more sensible it would
| have been to have curtailed the chances for
making him drunk in legal way Pro-
hlhition may not prohibit rs well AZ We
wish, but the difference between those
States where 1t is the law and those where
license Is the rule is very great. For the
SIX months ending April lst, | was in a
city fifty miles south OF here of about J. 900
inhaoitants, with fourteen licensed saloons,
AL doing a good business In eight Of
them l counted ffty-seven men on one
Saturday night between AZ and lO:l5.
At another time at about the same time of
night the fourteen saloons held one hun.
dred and fifty men and boys
1t was no unusual thing to see a load of
wood or hay, with the horses hitched to
the wheels, stand for hour after hour in
the cold, while the driver was "fllinr up"
IN some saloon. caring nothing for the
team or his family at home. Prohibition
may not prohibit, but license doesn't re.
strict.
In one place that | passed several times
daily it was no unusual thing to see half
dozen boys, twelve to sixteen years old, sit
ting around the wall. watching the pool
tables, ready to take glass Of beer, or
cigarette, If one was offered, and more
than once have come across them more
than half drunk.
The season is cold and backward. Nav
>, we had a cold snow storm all day. and
today winter overcoat i not at all un
comfortahle
There Is quite stir in the building busi-
ness, especially dwellings People have
10 get long way out. If they expect to
get a cheap rent in good location, an
average eight room house costing from
$50 70 so per month
In the near future horses will be dis
placed on our street railways by electric |
n.y. and We arc also promised connection
with Minneapolis by the same means. and
great reduction in fare. now 80 cents for |
The round trip, 30 cents one way
Considerable stir i being made IN the |
way of preparation for the Educational
convention to be held here In June or July. |
Those who may attend viii be well re-
criyed.
Farm products are very cheap Eggs, |
fresh, / cents a dozen, best butter 20 cent.
pound, potatoes % cents bu-hel. hay
81 to s. ton. The average Minnesota
farmer is no better OF than hi. brother In
Maine He probably owns more land.
more horses, farm machinery and has more
bay n. stacked m or, - doors.-hc, owes
80 % - 80 s-@-s
it - . -sr-s -i<se 60 see q ..-r a., .,.,,
lerr. | believe that the average FARMER in /
Maine has more comfort to the year than
ioes the average farmer in this State, and |
think a much larger percentage Of Maine /
farmers can pay their debts and have \
something left, than those in this State |
AN do. Short crops for three years in |
succession have caused much distress, and |
1t is far greater in Dakota than here.
To sum 1t all up-Maine is as good a
State 10 live in a. i, Minnesota.
ROB.