The Saint Paul globe., 1898-02-26

ponements granted by the police courts, in
some instances, are well calculated to fag
and and discourage and even defeat the prosecu-
tors, and when conviction is reached the
ofender Is almost invariably dismissed with
paltry fine. The proceeds Of his Illicit
business. even while his trial is in progress,
would pay his fine many times over and the
sentence OF the municipal judge does not
interrupt his criminal career. Our
mayor himself Is quoted to the effect that
there is little use of prosecuting blind
pfggers," because our municipal judges will
notra not adsguateIy punish them when thag are
GGnfG 66atcs we desire to say most most en- en-
lets convicted blind pigger' of with a
paltry fine is practically a defender of vice.
council have exposed themselves to just
criticism through their method of dealing
with the liquor traffic. When certain parties
who had been convicted of violating the
licenses, our city fathers hastened to grant
these licenses before the expiration of the
period which the law prescribes for the in
vestigation of applications and the hearing
of objections to them. They thus commit
ted two faults. In the interest of persons
@ to be in the hooa they
granted licenses to persons legally dis
qualified te receive them. They thus. in
terest of persons who were upon record in
the police courts Of the city as convicted
criminals.
Moreover. It Is, we understand a matter
consider applications refused, in certain
cases, to hear the evidence OF citizens
again against notoriously unfit applicants: until
evidence by an order from Judge kelly'S
court.
The Variety Theaters.
We confess our sorrow that the city
government should have dealt so indul-
gently with the variety theater run in con-
nection with drinking saloons. The impro-
priety and evil purpose of the female ele
ment in these performances is evident to
all who have given this matter the slight
est consideration. The Olympic and Tivoli
are public resorts so notoriously lewd and
vile that they cannot be described in pub
lie discourses or print without offense to
all decent people 1t would seem from the
information given that the municipal
authorities have been well aware of the
character of these places, and have not been
duly earnest in their efforts to suppress
them The social evil f1ourishes, and our
municipal administration allows 1t unneces-
sary indulgence In the Olympic and I'll
voli especially it has been allowed to adyer-
tise and exploit itself in the most shame
less manner to the constant and increas-
ing degradation of hundreds and probably
thousands of our people, young and old.
1t is matter of history that some months
ago the city council had under considera-
tion an ordinance prohibiting female per-
formances in connection with drinking re-
sorts. The measure might have become law
had not the mayor announced that he
would himself put an end to this evil, and
promulgated order to that effect which
produced immediate and good results. The
improved condition of things proved only
temporary, however. because the mayor
did not continue in the course which he had
adopted, and we have the practical re-
suit of his action the probable defeat Of a
wholesome measure and the continuation
of the evil.
Accorded to information afforded us by
the Christian Citizenship league, the Palm
Garden adds to its female attractions the
law,essness of entertaining beardless Youths
to whom liquor Is freely sold It is difficult
to believe that the authorities are unaware
Of the character of this place.
Sunday Closing Law.
In addition to all else there is the open
and fragrant violation Of the Sunday clos
ing law, which ought not to be tolerated.
III. In view of all this, and in view Of
the fact that our municipal election is now
not far distant, we call upon all good cti-
zens of ST. Paul to use their utmost en-
deaVorS to bring about a better state of
things. We should put into all the city
offices men whose intellectual and moral
qualifications are such to insure us a
wise, strong and clean administration of
who love order, respect law have regard
for their oaths of Office and are entirely out
or sympathy with vice. We respectfully
urge all Christian voters in the churches
which we represent, and all good citizens
outside the churches to faithfully attend
the caucuseS and conventions of their re-
spective parties, and see to it, II possible
that good men, and only good men are put
in nomination for city Office. We urge good
citizens in the coming election to disregard
those national issues which have no proper
place in municipal politics and vote with
sole reference to the good of the municipal
ity. We urge them to vote for the men who
can be depended upon for the faithful and
fearless enforcement of the law. We be-
lieve that the right kind of men may be
nominated through regular party action IL
the best elements in every party are reason
ably active. If the right men cannot be
nominated through regular party action we
humbly suggest that traditional party affili-
ationS should be for the time disregarded
and that there should be citizens ticket
and movement in favor of candidates who
can be trusted to discharge their official du-
ties creditabiy.
Aid Municipal Right G business.
We recommend to the Christian Citizen
ship league that they continue, along non
partisan lines, their efforts to secure better
city government.
Finally, as citizens, sustaining a very re-
spOnSibe relation to the we'll being of So
promote municipal righteousness We will,
cur pulpts declare and emphasize the great
primal obligations of Christian citizenship
and urge our people to the full performance
of their duties.