The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1903-05-02
AN OBJECT LESSON.

AN OBJECT LESSON.
The terrible catastrophe of last week
in southeast Minneapolis in which
eleven human lives We're lost, is only
another object lesson of the kind
which is altogether too common. Ac-
cidents will happen; there always have
been and there always will be occur
ences which are properly termed in
yond human control. But large pro-
portion of the so-called accidents are
the natural and logical results Of Wis
ible and well-known causes. They are
not accidents at all; they are consc-
Quences naturally resultant upon the
lack of the most ordinary caution, fool
hardy speculations upon the chances
of life or death. People are familiar
with the physical properties Of oils and
gases. Both these products are IL
necessity of present civilization, but
the civilization which has produced
these products and their necessity
ought to be able to control and govern
them so that human life would be safe
from reactions, the causes of which
and the certainty Of which, under GER
tain conditions, are perfectly we'll
known.
Any schoolboy will tell us that gov
ernment is maintained for the pur-
pose of protecting life and property.
The people of the city of Minneapolis
are operating under municipal char
ter which, inadequate though it be, is
certainly comprehensive enough to
authorize our common council to pass
ordinances to preserve and protect the
public health. Is there a law Of the
state or an ordinance of the city OF
Minneapolis restricting or prohibiting
the storage of large quantities of oils
and gases within the very heart of the
city? If there is, why, in the name of
common humanity, is it not enforced?
1t is sad irony for our city council to
appoint committee to investigate the
cause of the calamity ut this time.
We have twenty-siX members of our
city council, all Oh whom have time
and capacity but seemingly few Of
them realize the important functions
of their offices. 1t will not answer for
them to say that it is easy to point
out trouble after it has occurred. 1t
does not require particularly OBJ
servant Or intelligent person to point
out great number of places in this
city which are veritable death traps.
There are in southeast Minneapolis
alone at least two railroad and street
car intersections at which life has al
ready been lost. The approaches to
these intersections are obscured from
every side, and only such precautions
taken as the common carrier of pas
sengers think justifiable as financial
protection against their common law
liability in case Of death or manning.
Every alderman in this city must be
familiar with the unciviMzed, not to
say inhuman and highly dangerous,
manner in which our street car COM
pany crowds to suffocation it's cars,
making it almost impossible for en-
ployes to exercise any proper control
over the cars or care for passengers.
The great wonder Is that street car cal
antilles are not more frequent.
Our boosted civilization liz crude in
deed, that permits such fragrant evils.
Gentlemen Of the city council, there are
important matters in this city await
ing your attention. Matters far more
important than whether this alderman
or that alderman shall be able to swing
a hose contract or paving contract.
1t is time that our courts were more
occupied with criminal prosecutions
for negligence. In these times when
people are packed together in large
cities. in tenements, in factories, and
in public conveyances, is it not strange
that criminal negligence is almost un-
heard Of in our courts? When Dis
trict Attorney Jerome Of New York
city, proceeded against the officials OF
a railroad for criminal negligence in
causing n recent suburban wreck in
which many lives were lost, the
proceeding called forth comment of
surprise from the press. The complex
relation Of men in modern society calls
for stricter regulations and closer en-
forcement thereof than was necessary
fifty years ago. Society that leaves
the protection of the public health and
safety to individuals or companies
who, If they are called upon to account
for violations, respond by paying dam
ages only, is a failure. The object
should be to prevent such calamities
rather than to enforce compensation
therefor.
DOWN TOWN CHURCHES.
At n recent meeting Of Presbyterians
In Nou, Vorl- oitv for tho p,,rpooo ne