The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1904-04-11

The moral condition Of the city as
whole is better than it has been at
any time in the twenty-five years that
nave been in st. Paul, and 1 be-
lleve that have been around as much
at nights as any investigator
This statement was made by Rev.
David Morgan, head of the Bethel, and
noted throughout the Northwest as the
most persistent investigator of the
Sums of st. Paul Whenever the real
character of a saloon or other place
or business is desired it is Rev. Mr..
Morgan who is generally asked to get
the information. He has often done
such work for the churches, and is
noted Tor the fact that he gathers his
Information first hand. He does not
take the word of an agent. Rev. Mr..
Morgan was an interested auditor at
the House of Hope church last night,
and afterWard consented to an inter-
view. He said:
Judging from my experience it seems
to make little difference what party is in
power, for during the entire time that I
nave been in the city, and 1 have always
taken an interest in such matters, gam
ping ana houses of ill-fame have been
permitted. Taking everything into con-
slderatIon, and admitting that much of
what DR.. Boyle said is true, 1 still CON
slder the present police administration
had since l came to st. Paul. 1t is GER
ta1nly superior in all respects, and par
f51c euIa las as to the points on which DR.;
recently existed.
Agitation Not Timely
houses, to policy shops, to crap games
and to the social evil AS to the latter
believe that it should be strictly con-
lined to one: limited section of the city.
things can be regulated by the outcome
of the present election. What L would
Ike to see would be. an awakening of
done these places could be cleaned out.
irrespective of party politics. But this
cannot be accomplished on the eve Of an
be designed to injure some of the candi-
dates before the people.
1t will be remembered by many Of the
good people of the city that we tried
before, under a promise of a vigorous
enforcement of the law against evils such
as referred to by DR.. Boyle, to elect GER
right along, and the present situation
is no different from what it has been
In the past. If such an issue is to sue
coed it must be made the leading feature
OF campaign and not come in a sec
Ondary consideration and merely be used
TO create a prejudice that the facts do
not warrant: There is nothing III the
present conditions that warrant a gen
eral onslaught on the police administra-
ton, which, tC my knowledge, is con-
Quoted in a manner that cannot be
criticised, except as to the existence of
these gambling places.
Fewer Places Now.
have no doubt that the statements
made by DIR. Boyle are founded on facts
There are gambling houses, policy shops.
crap games, a large number of houses of
nl-fame and many roOmers. But such
was also true of every previous admins
tration for the past twenty years, no
matter on what party ticket the officials
were elected, but believe that there
do exist are held to a stricter account
than at any previous time in the twenty
years that have kept track of such mat
tiers. | say this knowing whereof |
come when the welfare of the city will
be considered above that of the political
party, and then it will be possible for us
to elect men to office who will carry out
the will of the godly people of the city
and give us a clean city morally.
1t is true also that the saloons, in many
wise probably violate the law, but those
familiar with the city government know
that with all our former efforts it was i'm
possible to accomplish anything toward
regulating such places. From what I
have seen, and l have investigated this
phase also, the saloons are held to
more strict accountability than ever be
fore. There- are not so many complaints
of liquor having been sold to minors as
in previous years This regulation alone
is a credit to the police administration.
If DR.. Boyle had begun the preaching of
such sermons. as he delivered last night
two years ago, and had received the ac-
tive assistance of other ministers, it
would have been possible to have elected
a reform ticket at this time. But the
effort is too late The candidates have
been nominated. and have not been even
- sub
jects The evils complained of would
exist under the administration of either
of the candidates. This being true.
cannot see the idea Of beginning a crusade
at this date, unless it is the plan to
carry it along until the city election two
years hence, by which time it may be
possible to have aroused the civic con-
science"