The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-02-25
ROME, TYRE AND SODOM
ARE USED as COMPARISONS WITH
ST. PAUL

ARE USED as COMPARISONS WITH
ST. PAUL
Report of the Committee of the
Christian Citizenship League
Made to the ministers of St. Paul
1t Tells About the Violations
of Liquor and Other Laws.
Some time ago the Christian Citt-
Zenship league appointed a committee
to investigate as to9the enforcement,
or rather non-eIforcement, Of the laws
by the present administration.
The COMMITTEES reported the result
of its lnvestfgationJfto the ministers
association, and the findings were ap-
proved by thatg body. Yesterday the
report was made public. 1t is as fol-
Jews: M
Gentlemen: That you may understand the
aim and methods, of the Christian Citizen
ship league, we think it necessary to say that
the league does not endorse party or pertt-
sanship, but seeks an honest and faithful
performance of duty on the part of our
public officials. 1t does not believe in the
introduction of national issues and policies
in municipal affairs. 1t believes that good
men and patriotic men only should be
elected to office. Recognizing the saloon
to be the most frequnt Viofator of law and
the most common and powerful factor OF
munlclpal corruption the power and effort
OF the league have been directed against 1t
first The league has also recognized the
saloon to be very strong element in our
municipal politics and fully realizes that be-
fore our municipal house can be cleansed
the evil spirit must be cast out. 1t Is now
now our purpose or duty to fix the blame,
but we do not hesitate to say that the re-
strtctfye features of the law governing the
sale Of intoxicating liquors are SO much in
advance of the practices of the men selected
to enforce the law, that some Of our public
officials denied the existence Of the law.
Such condition Of affairs is not only de-
piorable, but alarming. 1t indicates gross
ignorance and consequent unfitness for such
responsibility, or else an Indifference to the
obligations Of the Office and the public good.
To remedy such condition of affairs. to
secure action on the part Of men paid large
salaries to execute our laws and to quicken
and stir Up the public Consciences the league
decided to contest the issuance OF licenses
to such persons as had been convicted of
violating the law within year. The city
attorney and his associates not willing to
interest themselves in the matter the league
was compelled to employ counsel. This 1t
did and exercised a constitutional right be-
longing to every citizen, that of Directing
to the granting of license in such cases.
On these grounds three test cases were
Blixt, all three OF whom had been con-
victed of law violation, during the pre-
scribed time The city council. with that
had granted a license to every one of these
men, several days before the time set for
the presenting of objections. However,
many members of the council did not know
that such action was In direct violation OF
the law, and voted under the advice of the
city attorney, who informed them that there
was no legal obstacle in the way of grant
ing Mr.. Murphy a license. All these ap-
plicants. later on, by the advice of their
attorneys. withdrew their petitions. The city
council then determined to adhere to the
law governing Such matters and has not
we believe, granted any license until the
time set by law. This fact is generally
the public capable Of doing more harm than
saloons run in connection with theatrical
performances.
Conduct Is DemoraIizing.
The conduct witnessed night after night
in such places has been and is demoralizing.
The performances are Of a very questionable
order. Vile scenes and practices are the
rue. Some of them hardly less disgusting
than those assigned to old Rome, Tyre and
Sodom. The songs are either obscene in
their composition or concluding with an i'm
moral suggestion. The chief merit of the
play presented is its transgressien Of the
laws of decency. Men stand upon the plat
form and as lecturers discuss themes too
vile for print. These things are more than
sufficient to forfeit the license. OF course,
all saloons do not run a theatrical annex.
The so-caIled better element deprecate
Hiss dJIeLDDC at laWl6SSQeSS. Inc league
sought to be heard in opposition to such
places before the city council. With that
rare degree OF patriotism which consults
the public good and which Is fearful that
adverse one, the city council refused to
hear the testimony except by a committee.
This committee was careful to so restrict
the testimony offered as to minimize its
worth. 1t being evident that the council
fe.t themselves under obligation to legis-
late in the interest OF the liquor leaguers
of the city, the Christian Citizenship league
took the only course left open to 1t and
made application to the courts for a writ
compelling the council to hear testimony.
Judge Kelly, before whom application was
made decided that it was the duty Of both
branches of the council to hear proper tes-
timony presented by law-abid;ng citizens,
consequently when the Palm Garden made
a request for a license, an entirely fair
hearing was granted in opposition A writ
ten report Of our testimony was made
and on this the license was refused In
the meantime two applications for license
for tie Olympic were made and refused
subsequently, however license was grant
ed to the olympic and also to Mrs. Tankcn-
HON. timely order from the mayor pro-
hlbtting female performers in saloons closed
both Places. very significant fact Is hero
suggested. namelyI that neither of the
places have been able to do business. ex-
cept wren supplied with female perform
eps. anton we -nho:zer.I after having been
refused license, oacontinued to run the
Palm Garden. and only c-osed the place
when an order from the mayor command
ing the police to close it was executed.
Result Of Its. Work
Among the results OF the leagues work
may be mentioned the closing I'D of the
Olympic. the fremont and the Bodega, all
three of them he'll holee9 OF infamy. The
propretors of a humber of other nlaces
nave been made to feel the laws heavy
hand, and as a result have more fully con,
formed to the law regulating the sale of in
toxicating liquors o. We believe that the
la'gue has demonstrated that a united and
oetefmlncd effort on the part of our law
abiding citizens wifi secure an honest en-
forcemeM CT the laws; that MANY laws fail
OF enforcement because of the united oppo-
sluon CT the interests affected: that many
OF our oinclals, though good men, are weak
ana VactllatinS because the moral and re-
HSous sentiment CT the municipality fails
10 support them; our good men vote as so
many units, while the liquor interests vote
as unit We are divided. while the enc
mics OF municipal righteousness are united.
We vote for PARTY; they vote for their bust
ness interests. We also believe that our
PUBLIC oihclais. with but few exceptions,
would heartily welcome the earnest and
unltec cooperation OF all coed citizens
and that the mora! and religious sentiment
OF the community supporting them would
relieve them from many serious embarrass-
ments. 1t the complaint of recent
mayor OF our city that the better element
OF our citizens came to him representing
nobody but themselves. The other element
came representing united. compact voting
constituency. The league has further dem
onstTated that unless cur officials are 10y
ally packed up by our patriotic citizens it
IS useless to hope for law enforcement.
What good reason can we have for the cleo
ton CT men to office and then turn them
over to the clutches Of the most democrat
izing and currupting influences IN our city?
But lest your committee be charged vita
dealing in has beens," we desire to say
that we have few facts to present for