The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-03-21
PASTORS ST and
: BY CURFEW LAW
THEIR ASSOCIATIONS ALL DE
CLARE AGAINST IT'S REPEAL.
Methodists, Congregationalists, ,Bap-
lists and Presbyterians Will Urge
Their Views Upon City Council
i Alderman Westphal States His Rea-
sons for Moving Repeal OF Law.

None of thefmembers of the minister's
association wants to see the curfew 7ordi-
nance repealed. This was the unani-
NOUS decision at the four meetings
held this morning. Committees were
appointed by the Baptist and Congre-
gational meetings to wait, upon the
council committee and urge action
looking to the enforcement Of the or
dinance rather than its repeal. Ares
olution opposing appeal was passed by
the Methodist ministers, who will aid
in making their resolution effective
The Presbyterian ministers consid-
lered the curfeW matter of sufficient
Importance to warrant a special meet
ing. BY invitation Alderman G. A.
sWestphal, who has moved the repeal
of the ordinance, stated his position.
spublic interest, and declared that his
purpose and that Of the ministers were
not far apart, as he wanted to help in
doing the best thing for the children.
He Endorsed the ordinance, and pro-
nounced it effective and useful during
its enforcement under, the Gray: admin
istration., Stating his. objection to all
had singled out this because it ap-
piled to children and it's nonenforce-
ment had an especially harmful effect
in cultivating disrespecte for law.
Having made an effort to secure the
enforcement of the ordinance thru an
appeal to the executive department.,
Alderman tWestphal :, had taken this
in the hope that it would stir up the
public to demand it's enforcement or
it's amendment, If need be. If this
could not be accomplished, he desired
to see the ordinance repealed and
would press the matter. He said non
enforcement had been excused on the
ground that there were not sufficient
policemen but that no Improvement
had come with an increase, Of the
force. He also explained that the po-
lice desired an amendment, giving
them power to take offenders to the
police station and to send for the par
ents to take them home. p:
Closer corporation between the city
officials and the church members was
invited by the alderman in this and all
other matters, as only by conference
can public officials learn the: desires
Of their constituents. go ff. 20
Preceding Alderman Westphal's talk
Rev. w. S. Ward, president Of the as
ISOLATION, sketched the history Of the
qufries made last week. 2:!
Mr.. Ward reported enforcement
with wholesome effect during the Gray
administration in which the ordinance
was enacted. With the beginning OF
the Ames regime it became dead
letter. Conference with the chief OF
police and police captains showed that
they did not desire the repeal Of the
law. - - -
It was suggested that one reason
why the ordinance was not enforced
was that the police were not good
sprinters. . -
There were several expressions Of
condemnation Of a, state of municipal
affairs which made it necessary FOL
the moral element of the city to eshoW
| eonclusively, by public agitation, thai
| it was prepared to demand enforce.
| ment Of certain laws before the ex
| ecutfve department would give then
| consideration. =. H.z, &c 49,
| AS there will be another meeting o.
the Presbyterian ministers before thu
meeting Of the committee on ordin
| ances, the appointment and tnstruc
! ton of a committee to'appear before
that body was left until next Monday
when the question will come up at thu
| regular meeting -: %r'. -Ff'