The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-05-30
MUNICIPAL STANDARDS

When Mr.. Snyder was asked by a dele
cation of his second ward friends to be-
come candidate for mayor he condi-
toned his agreement to be a candidate
upon the approval by the public Of plat
form which he then announced, viz: No
open saloons on Sunday and no Sunday
theaters.
Whatever else Mr.. Snyder might stand
for in municipal administration he de-
clared only these two propositions.
Yesterday the announcement of his po-
sition was the subject of universal COM
ment. Some applauded his frankness,
declared their approval of his platform,
and expressed their desire to support him
upon that issue. Others-many of whom
have no more use for the Sunday saloon
or the Sunday theater than those who
received Mr.. Snyder's declaration with
approval-expressed regret that Mr..
Snyder should have thus emphasized
these two particular tenets of his munich
pal political faith, and signihed grave
doubt as to the possibility of electins
him, or any one else with Sunday OBJ
servance made the: chief issue. Others
again, while out of sympathy with the
Sunday saloon, although recognizing the
difficulty of doing away with it abso-
lutely In Minneapolis, were not wholly
In sympathy with Mr.. Snyders PROPOSE.
ton as to the Sunday theater
The result is that Mr.. Snyder's cand1-
dacy upon this platform, instead of beine
received with general approval, as seemed
likely prior to this announcement, has
resulted in creating at least grave doubt
In the minds of many hitherto we'll dis.
posed towards him as to his ability to he
either nominated or elected.
And here IS suggested to those who are
most anxious for the Inauguration Of 3
clean, heightened, honest administration
OF municipal affairs, the great pity thai
with the opportunity before him to rem,
der an important service to the city, i,
should have been Mr.. Snyder's misfor.
tune, If not to destroy that opportunity, al
least to render its attainment vastly more
difficult than 1t would have been If he
had been content to go before the public
upon his we'll established reputation bott
as man and as public officer. Mr., Sny.
der's record was sufficient guarantee tc
all who hoped for the inaugural ton Of bet,
ter things in our municipal affairs. anc
no pledges would have been required 81
him. The public were ready to trust hin
to do the best he could under the circun,
stances-to look for results and not t,
lay special emphasis upon a declaration
OF high ideals.
This feeling, we believe, is entertained
very generally. And majority of those
( who entertain it are not to be accused q
being in sympathy with the Sunday sa
loon. or any other saloon. Many Of then
recognize the effect of the Sunday theate
upon the morals Of the community, con
sidering tho character of many of the per
formances and the presence on that day 0
many Of tho lowest elements OF society. a
demoral;zing to public and private morals
Municipal government, however, is
question Of conditions anss not Of theories
That administration most successful Il
the production of good results will TAX
into account existing conditions and tr
b make the best CT them. Our own ex