The Irish standard., 1897-02-20
FOR ENFORCING THE LAWS.
Father Cleary Expresses Himself
Forcibly upon this Matter
at a Sunday rleeting.
Shows How the Sunday is Desc
Grated by Nearly all Clas-
es of People.
The Sunday Saloon, Wine Rooms
and Dance Halls get
a Hearing.

Hearing.
An audience that taxed the capacity of
the big Lyceum Theatre met on last
Sunday afternoon to discuss the enforce
ment of the laws pertaining to Minnea-
polls.
8. The character of the men composing
the audience was great triumph for
the earnest workers for municipal re-
form, and demonstrated conclusiyely
that business men and taxpayers as we'll
as theorists and "cranks' occasionally
wake up to the Importance of enforcing
the laws governing municipal affairs. No
man who glanced over the magnificent
assemblage of citizens could have the
temerity to call the gathering "a meeting
of meddlesome reformers and temper
ance cranks. 1t was thoroughly repre-
sentative audience of the best people
of the city, and the applause with which
1t received the telling points made by the
speakers was most significant.
Stirring addresses were delivered by
F. G. Winston, president of the Munich
PAL League; Rev. Father Cleary, Rev.
M. Falk G5ertsen and Rev. Pleasant
Hunter. Each gentleman spoke plainly
his blows. The failure to enforce the
laws, Mr.. Winston declared to be res
ponsible for the ring rule' which OBJ
tanned in so many municipalities, while
Father Cleary declared that matters had
reached stage where honest people
We're expected to recognize the rights Of
ing held on this Sunday afternoon as
one Of the most important as we'll as the
most significant Of meetings that the
citizens of Minneapolis have held for
years, Iregard it as meeting pregnant
with much meaning for the people, be-
cause in the faces of the intelligent citi~
zens OF this city whom l see before me
recognize an ardent desire to see a bet
ter condition Of things prevail in this
community, and I am confident that
there is a. deep-lcoted regret that we
have so much reason to complain of the
condition of things that has brought
shame and sorrow to many among us.
Minneapolis, think-and I have had
some experience with cities throughout
the country-has the best municipal
code of any city in the United States.
(Applause.) / do not believe there is a
solitary exception where it can be shown
that better municipal code exists than
exists in what the previous speaker has
we'll termed 'the home CITY," Minneapo-
lis. Although am not accustomed, and
am somewhat OF a stranger in this COM
munity, not having been resident of the
city very long, yet am always an en-
thusiast in favor of my own home and
the institutions in which feel a person.
al interest. Still my observation and ex-
perience in this community compel me
to admit that a Lexow investigation
committee would find just as bad state
of affairs in this city to-day as was
found in the city of New York. Cap
plause.)
do not like to tell things like this,
because they do not reflect credit upon
us as a community. But if we are hon.
est with ourselves aid if we are in
earnest to better the condition of our
community, in Gods name let us tell the
truth. (Applanse.) Let us not white
wash anything, but let us place the blame
where it properly belongs. In my opin-
ion the blame for the sad condition of
things does not rest with any servant of
the people, but it rests with the masters
themselves (Applause) AS COM
munity we are entirely to blame for this
condition of things. believe that pub
lie officials will give any community the
kind Of administration they want. If
the people want a lax administration, if
they want municipeI administration in
which law is simply made a mockery
and its enforcement farce, I believe
they will get just that kind of an admin
istration. believe any community that
will patiently accept the despotic and
arbitrary statements Of a public servant
that It is his own business whether he
shall enforce certain laws deserves any
kind of an administration that may be
given It. (Applause.)
B Now, am not here this afternoon to
abuse anybody, although assure you I
feel In a pretty ugly mood and it would
mot mot take much to turn me into a first y
rlass scold, especially after having heard
of the facts stated here publicly BY
And feel al The more
ocs,,rr