The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-09-09
WHAT OTHER PEOPLE THINK
The Home Protection League.

To the Editor of The journal. z : T
There is apparently a misunderstand-f
ing as to the position of the Home Pro- t
lection league with reference to the Sun
day saloon-closing movement. It Isl
said that the efforts Of the league are
calculated to embarrass the present ad- I
ministration. This is farthest from it's
purpose and it believes that the state
1nent is groundless. l.
Is there good reason why the Home
Protection league should not assist in
closing saloons in the residence districts
on Sundays The. work and purpose OF;
the league is the protection of the
side Of which saloons are not permitted
has the same end in view, the protec-
tion Of homes from saloon influences
and surroundings. I
But certain residence districts are not
so protected by this law. Here saloons
are numerous; they are open seven days
in tho week and sixteen hours a day.
ing the eighth ward and Lowry Hill
! from saloon influences, which does not
apply to residence districts inside the
| patrol Hmitsq The Sunday closing law
| does give q means Of partial relief to
these sections. So far as this means is
under the mayors control he may with
much force refuse to discriminate by
enforcing this law in one section and
not enforcing it in all sections Of the
city. To many business men general
enforcement thruout the city does not
seem wise nor expedient. This may be
and presumably has been, the mayors
| view. G... 49,: -. e.:
The reasons for enforcing the law in
the residence districts and in the down
town or business districts are entirely
distinct from one another. Chief among
these reasons calling for enforcement in
the residence districts is, the people liv-
ing in such districts want the saloons
closed. Ninety-eight per cent Of those
living in one section Of the city petit
toned for Sunday closing before the
league lent hand in the matter. ~
The league believes that it is doing
service to the homes in the residence
districts where saloons exist. It be-
lieves that it, is rendering real assist
.ance to the mayor in his well-known eff
forts to give to the city a clean, whole
some administration, free from ex-
to do what the mayor would gladly do
himself if he felt that he might discrim-
mate in choosing localities where sa-,
looms should be closed on Sunday It
believes that the public approves such
action and would gladly see the patrol
limits so changed as to prohibit saloons
in all residence parts of the city. It
protecting from neighborhood saloons
homes which now have only partial pro-
tectio,n by law, and that every argu-
ment which supports the existence of
patrol limits, supports those who are
trying to restrict or restrain saloons in
any residence district of the city. =
This is movement in the interest Of
the homes Of the poor, which are enc
titled to protection just as much as the
homes of the rich. The Home Protec-
tion league was organized nearly two
years ago in response to an urgent de-
mand on the part Of the public that
something be done ito improve moral
. lewd theater, the wineroom and. the
Sunday saloon in the residence district.
1t was Incorporated under the laws Of
the state as permanent institution.
1t was never the intention to be pri-
marily for or against any particular adj
along on sensible, reasonable lines, with
the general welfare Of the city and its
|people at heart. The league has pre-
ferred to work thru the regularly con
! stituted authorities whenever possible,
! but whenever the authorities have not
:. seen their way clear to do the things
: which the league has felt that the good
. of the city demands to be done. it has
not hesitated to exercise the privileges
and the duties Nof citizenship and to set
;, in motion the machinery of the law
. which was constructed for the terror
e of evildoers. -
The following is list Of the active
! members of the Home Protection league
I organized in January, 1904:
y. M. Anderson, vice president Min.
!, neapolis Bedding company.
5 w. w. Bardwell, attorney.
I David G. Bell, president David G.
Bell Investment company.
l j Mt
e Fred B. Chute, vice president Chute
b Realty company. :.
T !, Seymour s. Cook, Minnesota Loan 8
Trust company
/, George D. Dayton, president Dayton
s Dry Goods company