The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-11-11
Good Government and Good Bust
ness.

A. Inc FOL LOWING letter was sent yes
fterday by one of the leading merchants
sof Minneapolis to Mayorelect Jones.
1t discusses so admirably the relation Of
business men to the city administration,
and expresses so we'll the sentiments Of
II he ] ournal on this subject, that
3 it affords us pleasure to have an oppor-
tunity to reproduce it, and to call the
attention Of business men. generally to
5the views set forth:
81 Dear Mayor: Altho perhaps I may
truthfully say that I contributed my share
K to your election, 1T is not SO much the
support you have received as that you
will receive which I imagine now primar
lily concerns you.
81 Our conversations have indicated very
clearly that you recognize the difficulties
confronting you. All I want to say Is
that you can count on me to cooperate
and assist, so far as my personality and
influence may avail in making your ad
ministration all you desire.
One thing must be recognized by our
business men, and that Is that it is mis-
taken idea that the business prosperity
of the city hinges on catering to those
things which demoralize. I have been
amazed at the attitude taken by scores
Iof men who are clean in their own lives,
but who have expressed themselves as
fearful that your election would NEAR.
business apathy; and it Is this sentiment
which, in my Judgment accounts for your
lack Of support in the precincts you nat
urally had a right to expect it from. I
have also been bitterly disappointed at
the willingness Of some men, from whom
we had a right to expect better things,
to prostitute their convictions to the prin-
Mciple of expediency. This is the worst
feature of the whole political situation,
and it must be eradicated by an object
lesson, and it is up to us business men
TO support you.
There will be lots Of knockers, and the
battle has but just begun. 1t IS up to
some of US to come out in the open and
plainly declare ourselves. -.
AS r h e Journa aptly expresses It
In tonight's editorial: cit is an unworthy
and financially unsound theory that ii
pays business men to get the earnings OF
wage earners filtered thru the tills Of the
saloon and the hands Of vice, rather than
through the family Of the Garner"
3 We must evidence to this community
A that vice and prosperity are not neces.
sarily synonymous terms. It makes mt
sick, this constant talk of the necessity O.
pandering and catering to the shady side
of things. The residential advantages O.
Minneapolis are an asset far in excess O.
the dollars received thru soiled fingers
4 y the class primarily responsible for tn,
@expense of our police department ant
courts, and this fact must be empha
3isized. Interested parties have altogethe
too long thrown this dust in the ewes o
~ the voter
1t is going to be quite trick to SHOW
people that civic purity is not incompat
ible with business prosperity. but u.s. OF
@ the contrary, a distinct factor in securin.
It.. Let st. Paul have its saloons an,
its bawdyhouses and what-not Let u
advertise Minneapolis as the best-con
Quoted, cleanest,, physically and morally
municipality in the country. They hav
done this in Los Angeles and with won
derful success and we can do it here.
& The expense account Of this city
founded, as it was, on ultra optimisti
lines, has got to be carefully watched /
Is going to take lots of tact, lots Of back
bone, to secure results, but am confiden
they will come; certainly they will com
the sooner for the support Of our bust
ness men, and just want you to kno,
that so far as this business mans infu
erlce can co. it will be exercised in tha
direction. Yours faithfully,
Minneapolis, Nov. IL. --
This business man realizes what to
few business men seem to regard a
Important, that it is not enough to cleo