St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1891-12-27
TALKED ON CORNERS.
Political Questions That Agi-
tate the CiPcumambient
Minneapolis Air.
That Saloon Ordinance Is One
and Congressional Affairs
Another.
Isaac KuptZman and Four
Other Persons Granted Di-
v0rces Yesterday.
ueGill and the American B. &
L.--Traveling Men Offer
Their Services.

The saloon is taking a place in the
public eye in Minneapolis to which it is
not entitled on any score. Under the
scheme of government at present OBJ
tanning in the state of Minnesota the
saloon is a necessary evil. 1t exists,
and must be made the best of. All that
can be done is to SO control it as to
lessen its effect and influence. How
to do this seems to have
become the question in Minneapolis,
although other cities every whit as we'll
governed as Minneapolis have fOnnd no
difficulty in dealing with it. But Min
neapOlS is different from most other
cities on the American continent. In
the best governed cities in the United
States the local administration is made
responsible for the saloon power. That
system is found to work well.
But that is not good enough for Min
neapolis. Here a lot of irrespOn-
sible individuals. some of them actuated
by mercenary motives and some of them
moved by the same wires that move the
crank in all parts of the world, have
taken up crusade against the saloon.
Through the efforts of these individuals
the saloon is brought into the full glare
of publicity; given more prominence
than the Weightiest affairs that con-
Germ mankind. If the saloon is an evil,
why parade it before the people who
know nothing about it OF its evil effects
when i: can be controlled as well with
out? 1t is now said that the crusaders
will not await the decision of the cases
that have been appealed to the supreme
court, but will go ahead today to secure
moro evidence for All This
will be done for the avowed purpose of
making the SaloOnkeeperS tired of try
ing TO run counter to the wishes of
few cranks. The sentiments of the
people of the city, the desires of the
officials elected 20 carry out the wishes
OF the people, will cut no sort of figure
in the case. The crusaders are bound
to govern the town.
All this can have but one logical end
ing-tO make the saloon an issue in the
next local political campaign. Much as
such an ending is to be deplOTed. it can
not be helped. The saloon has no sort
of place in politics except on the one
issue of its total abolition. The ques-
ton of controlling it has been settled in
Minnesota. The high license law
goes as far ass legislation can
be expected to go in that direction.
Local governments are responsible for
LI6 observance Oh IUdl law anu are pre-
sumed to be capable of enforcing Oh
servance as the people whom they rep
resent demand that it shall be enforced.
But legislative enactmentS must be
carefully drawn or the clanks will find
some way to defeat their objects. Be
cause of lack of care in this direction,
Minneapolis people must submit to
having this saloon issue thrust upon
them.
In what form will this issue come be
fore the people? That is the question
now that it seems certain that the issue
must come.
This question may come before the
voters on the point whether the saloon
controlling power shall be cOnfided to
the administration or given to lot of
irresponsible cranks who seek nOtOriety
money or opportunity to pose as martyrs
TO the cause of Christianity through
some saloon man who has been annoyed
by ''pasting' them one behind the
ear. Such form is the most probable
form for the question to take. But is
that the best? In that form, no matter
how decided, the question would still
be likely to bob up again and TO be
made an issue several timeS-fOr pub
lie sentiment in Minneapolis is shift
Ter" than the most experienced prize
fighter that ever stepped into the ring.
Why not let it come up in this form:
Snail we have a side door in Mime
apolis or shall we not?