St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1894-02-19

pretense and its enforcement a matter
OF personal caprice and private bargain.
NO communities in the world, except
American cities, are managed in the in
terests of the retailers of intoxicating
liquors. We are advised that the weeks
preliminary to campaign is not the
time when the relation of the saloon.
keeper to the law should be discussed.
Why is it not a good time? Are 800
saloonkeepers so powerful that they can
make and uDmake parties? Shall we
leave our election activities to those
who propose to break the laws? and
shall those who would preserve them
be content with mid detection mass
meetings? Why meet in enthusi-
astic protest when our rulers have
been bound hand and foot by lawbreak-
lug compacts, express or implied, wrung
from them by the pernicious activity of
the saloons in the throes of party con-
test? Before elections the churches are
told to busy themselves in Saving
SOULS" and at safe distance after
election they are patted on the back for
vOciterously demanding the enforce
ment of the laws which the city author
tiles never have intended to enforce.
This is the programme marked out by
the practical politician, and when we
meekly obey it no wonder he sneers at
Sunday school politics, and desplses
our lack of worldly wisdom" The
power of the saloon is overestimated.
Ii all the decent people can be divided
on other issues, then the saloon reaps.
its harvest. The business has no
politics but self, and no conscience but
cash, and is always ready to furnish the
balance of power to that party which
will promise the largest immunity. But
the large majority Of our people will
never agree to the dominance of the
saloon power on any fair issue and
straight fight. In our business and
laborlng interests our strength lies. In
the home circle, where the mother
croons her cradle songs beside the
future voter. our strength lies. In the
useful activities of life, in the nobility
of our manhood and womanhood are
the sources of our public safety. If the
300 saloonkeeperS could be called out
on parade tomorrow with all the gam
blers and thieves and prostitutes, who
would follow the procession? If this
motley crowd could be drawn up in the
light of day, when once they might be
seen, and the practical politicians could
once
SURVEY THEIR MASTERS,
| think the whole brood Of wiseacres
who bid US be careful or we will hurt
the party would take to the woods and
not be visible again until after election.
The workingmen will follow those who
propose to give them clean and honest
government. and will not vote at the
dictates of the man who draws his beer.
This is not question Of drinking or not
drinking. 1t is not question of prohibi-
ton or high license. 1t is SIMPLY this:
Are the saloonkeepers privileged class,
SO powerful and so dangerous that
they cannot be compelled to
obey the laws? The majority of
the men who drink will join the
total abstalner in demanding that
there be no fayoritism In the enforce
ment of law. We must enforce the
liquor laws and remove the saloon from
politics if we would ever hope to cleanse
our political affairs from corruption.
There are legitimate expenses in every
campaign. Rent, speakers. canvassers.
Continued Oh Fifth Page.