The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-05-23
CONVERTED.

Not for purposes or SlOIlI1CdtlOu, Odt
because it is always gratifying to find
sound ideas forcing their way to the
front, we may notice the remarkable
conversion of public opinion in Mime
apolis on the subject Of city charters
and home rule. For series of years
the best thought in this direction In
St. Paul has. found itself bitterly an
tagonized by the press and other rep
resentatives Of opinion In Minneapolis.
We were told for many years that the
Minneapolis charter was not only ideal
for that community. but that IT was
so nearly product Of revelation that
It ought to be forced, with or without.
their consent, upon the people Of every
other city in the state 1t Is but two
years ago that that view was so preva-
lent as to secure the forcing through
the legislature of the Howard charter
act. against the protest Of those who
were able to point out clearly its err
rors and dangers. At that time repre-
sentatiyes Of st. Paul we're fighting for
the idea of home rule, and 1t was with
the greatest difficulty that they were
able to obtain legislative consent to
submit 30 the people an amendment
authorizing the people OF cities TO
frame their own charters. Had this
been obligatory, it would have had no
following in the legislature. It was
because it was voluntary that they at
length permitted such action as would
authorize other cities to make their own
charters, If. it should so please them.
Two years have passed, and we find
the press the public organizations and
q large part Of the people of Mime
apolis deeply agitated and insisting
that no time should be lost In taking
advantage Of the home rule amend
ment and legislation. The press urges
the calling of public meetings and the
formation of satisfactory city charter.
The people have discovered that
regime Of dishonesty and OF public
p1undering has prevailed there for
years. They see no end to it, and they
find no remedy for it, even through le-
gal prosecutions, while their present
instrument Of government remains in
tact. The public money has been en-
bezzled or squandered. The letting OF
contracts has been fruitful field for
the tobber and the boodler. Vigorous
attempts have been made to reach the
evil and evildoer. and the prosecution
finds itself foiled. The people Of that
city declare that they are tied hand and
foot by their present charter. and that
the only hope of liberty and security
lies in the home rule provision.
It is not without pride that we dis
cover this substantial confirmation Of
views that the G e has been sup
porting with energy and singleness OF
purpose for years past. Believing that
good municipal government knows and
can know little distinction Of party. 1t
has plead for thesright Of self-govern-
ment in cities, for separate municipal
elections, and for, all those regulations
and restrictions that nwould guard us
against the evils almost universal to-
day throughout the cities Of the United
States. Fortunately, this work has not
been an empty one.a ItItas resulted in
giving us such legislation as enables
any community to get rid Of its pres
ent charter and to frame a new one
by the act Of It's own citizens, without
dictation from q careless legislature.
and without being compelled to expand
or. compress It's individual needs into
the mold Of others. The work has been
a good work. and we are glad that those
who once opposed it, but are now con-
verified by disastrous experience. may
enjoy the fruits Of It.
Meantime, for ourselves, let US not
be neglectful Of our own opportunity.
even though the occasion for availing
ourselves Of 1t may be less pressing