The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-06-03
TELLS WHAT 1T HAS DONE.
Christian Citizenship League Issues
Statement to the Public.

Inc C1ClZenSllD league mas
issued the following statement:
So much has been said and printed concern
ing the work of the Christian Citizenship
league, which shows a misunderstanding of
its aims and methods, that 1t seems proper
to make an authoritative statement in the
public press, that both friends and enemies,
II there are any, may clearly see our spirit
and plan of operation.
This league is only a part Of a general
movement in large cities, which has sprung
up for the protection Of common rights, and
the emphasis of the duties Of citizenship. Its
platform is so broad and fundamental that
it would seem that all honorable citizens would
be in active sympathy with it. 1t in no in
stance seeks to go beyond the plain right and
duty Of every citizen. 1t unqualifedly en-
dorses and continually seeks to emphasize the
obvious principles that the law should be hon.
ored and enforced; that national politics
should not rule in municipal affairs; that only
pure and patriotic men should be put in office,
and that public vice and immortality should
be suppressed.
But not being satisfied with ''glitterlng gen.
eralities, we have set ourselves, and in this
we cordially invite the cooperation Of all
citizens. to the practical and persistent appl-
cation of these fundamental principles. Since
the saloon is the most common and fragrant
factor of municipal corruption and lawless-
ness, we naturally In practical campaign,
had to consider it first.
Without locating the responsibility, 1t can
be stated as fact, that the restrictive feat
ures of the law relating to the sale Of in
toxlcating liquors, are so far in advance Of
the actual practice of the city officials charged
with the duty Of enforcing it, that some Of
these officials actually denied the existence
of the law. Such condition of things in
city like ours is certainly alarming, and 1t
seemed clear that the best way to quicken
official and public conscience was to contest
the issuance of saloon licenses to a few vfo-
lators Of the law, particularly those who had
been convicted within year. To this end, we
employed counsel, and exercised the right
given to every citizen Of the state to object
tn granting a license
The first three contests instituted were
against Edward L. Murphy, F. C. Eggert and
Olaf Blixt, on the ground that they had been
convicted Of violations of the law within
year. In these cases the council had already
granted their licenses, several days before the
time set for the hearing Of the objections. To
the credit Of most of the council, be it said, 1t
was not known that this action was violation
of law, and that they acted under the advice
of Mr. Darragh, then city attorney that there
was no obstacle in the way of granting the
Murphy license.
Some conflict arose as to the proper method
of procedure, but after several hearings and
adjournments, upon the advice of their coun-
sci, each OF these persons withdrew their ap-
LEGATION and as a result of these contests the
council thereafter conformed to this part of
the law, and have not since considered appli-
cations for licenses until the time set by law
for the hearing Of the same.
1t was then thought best to contest the re-
licensing Of saloons run in connection with
theatrical performances commonly known as
concert saloons. The league felt convinced
that no places open to the public were more
harmful and degrading more dangerous
to youth, or more disgraceful to our city.
Vile scenes and practices were nightly enact
ed, more than sufficient to- forfeit the license.
But besides this, it seemed only fair to other
saloon men to cut off these special privileges,
not contemplated by the law and always tend
ing to disorder and lawlessness.
At this point, however, certain members
of the council, apparently thinking that these
numerous contests would bring them into
diSfaVOr he interests conceived
the plan of refusing to hear the testimony
offered except by a committee, and the COM
to very narrow and arbitrary limits This
made it necessary for us to apply to the
courts for writ to compel the council to
hear the testimony. The application, was
was the duty of both branches of the common
council to hear all proper testimony offered.
Since that decision there has been fair
attempt to comply with it, notably in the last
contest that of the Palm Garden, where there
was an entirely fair hearing by the assembly
committee and a written report of the testi-
mony made, which, being considered by the
assembly, resulted in a prompt denial of the
license. Previous to the Palm Garden appi-
cation, after the defeat of two applications
for the old Olympic, license authorized
to issue for that place and also to Mrs.
Tankenoff. But inasmuch as the mayor had
issued his order prohibiting femaie perform
ers in saloons, both these places were closed.
Upon the refusal of the assembly to grant
license to Anton WeinholZer, the proprietor OF
the Palm Garden, the mayors attention was
called to the fact that he was running with
out license, and Immediately the pace was
closed by the police.
Thus it appears that since the organiza-
ton of the league, and largely as the result
of our efforts, the old fremont, Olympic and
Bodega were closed and, the proprietors los
ing hope of success, left the city, and latter
w. the first two having reopened under new
names and management, ana the RAIN Gar
den, were also closed.
We have been constantly met with the crit
iciSm, we fear not very sincere one, That 1t
was unfair to single out particular saloons,
while there were many others just as bad
To this we reply that it would be impossible
to attack all bad places at once, and that the
plan we adopted was most likely 10 succeed,
namely, to take few of the more notorious
cases. especially when licenses were being
applied for. There certainly is nothing un-
fair in such plan. Law breakers are not
entitled to immunity because there are others
''just as bad
While the closing of these four concert sa-
looms might be said to be worth all the time
and money spent, we do not regard this as the
chief benefit that will arise, but that consists
in having called the attention of the officers
to the fact that the restrictive features of the
liquor laws were being ignored and that the
brewers and saloonkeepers were in the enjoy
ment of certain privileges and immunities not
accorded to any other business, and that these
facts have been so pers.stently thrust upon
the attention of the city officials that the is
sue could not be lodged or ignored. While
officials are generally 10th to abandon long
violation of law, we have found at least a
majority of our present city officials patriotic
enough to perform their duty when their at
tenton is called to it, although, perhaps, con-
WINGED in their own minds that such loyalty
would injure their future political aSpira-
items. They are certainly entitled to the
peoples commentator for such performance
of duty.
We believe the times are so changing that
in the new civic conditions of the near fu-
ture such fafthfulness to duty will be an es-
tai nOlitical
Another benefit resulting from these efforts
is that the public are coming to realize that
they need not yield their rights so often
usurped by the liquor interests. AS a proof
a license recently made for a saloon on st.
Anthony avenue, near Grotto street. In this
case the neighborhood, without any sugges-
ton from the league. protested on their own
account and defeated the issue of license. We
hope there may be an awakening in other
quarters. The time Is ripe for popular as
sertion Of the rights to protection, almost
lost sight of, and "a patriotic revival of re-
Spect for and obedience of the law. The po-
litical heresy which has for some years been
preached among us by candidates and off,
Gals that some laws are mere matters Of
form and not intended to be enforced, has
been most Dernicious.
In a republic no law is mere form. Let
every law be faithfully and fearlesSly en-
forced. Let any law found to be unfair, In
furious or impracticable. be repealed, but un-
til repealed let it be obeyed. Any other doc
trine is both reasonable and dangerous
In conclusion, We desire to bear testimony
to the ability and alertness Of our attorney.
d. w. Doty, who has served us most
efficiently in these vital matters and has won
thereby our confidence and admiration It
seems to us due to him that we make this
acknowledgment.
These contests are but part of our method
of work. We believe they will become less
and less necessary. The great fundamental
principles of civic righteousness. which we
have made our platform. invite to other