The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-12-03
Editorial Section.
The Next Thing to Be Done.

fact that Sunday closing is only the first step any
movement for. retaining or protecting the victims
of the saloon from its evil Influences
The saloon is Well-established institution. It
is established in accordance with certain innate and
ineradcabe characteristics and tendencies in human
nature. The fact that it ministers to an appetite
for strong drink is only one of the facts which
plain its hold upon While it may be true that
the principal reason for which men visit saloons is
to drink it is nevertheless true that there other
reasons of Importance and that undoubtedly large
percentage of the patrons Of the saloon go there
primarily not to drink but for society, and because
there is other place in which they feel that they
are welcome, to which the invitation is half so
cordial
There is lot Of brains mixed with the saloon
keeping business. The saloonkeeper has consulted
quite carefully and as inteigently the wants of
his customers and has studied quite as diligently
what will please and attract and hold them as any
other business man. From the business standpoint
he succeeds because he deserves to succeed. The
more he is opposed, the more opposition or competi-
ton rivalry he encounters in his struggle to
and retain the favor and the patronage Of the public
the more he will exert himself to hold his own. And
yet it would If it were enough in the minds
OF a good many good people, to do such
mendable thing as close the saloon Sunday and
then relapse into state of satisfaction and COM
placency if the influence Of the saloon were prac-
tically destroyed. In other words, there has been
good deal rejoicing over the Sunday closing
order than there is full occasion for if that is to be
all Very little has been accomplished when the
people of the churches meet together thank the Lord
for the closing Of the Sunday saloon and go home to
comfortable fresides and heavily loaded dinner
tables. r: r.. - ts5 49,
The closing of the saloon on Sunday will not
DESTROY or
desires to go to church or make over the habiue Of
the saloon so that he will not need or desire the
accommodations which it provides. People who
know most about the influence Of the saloon and
have most closely in contact with it's work with
out being debauched by it do not need to be told that
the logical and the necessary coroary of the closed
saloon is the opening of place in it's stead which
will afford its frequenters about everything that the
saloon affords except intoxicating drinks =.
The Journal is deeply impressed with this
fact and feels that there rests upon it upon every
citizen who recognizes measure of responsibility
for the social and moral conditions of the community
in which he lives some obligation in this connection
and it wishes to share in some practical, effective
effort for the establishment Of institution which
shall be a substitute for the saloon-providing all
the attractions, all the comforts all the Inducements
and more which the saloon Offers without liquors. to
the thousands of men in this city who today have
no homes, no place where they may meet in social
intercourse, where they may enjoy comfortable fire
sides,: books, newspapers and magazines, music or
innocent entertainment. =.
To provide such an institution, established it
ought to be at various places in populous centers
and convenient of the saloon ITSELF he
Journal will gladly subscribe 81 900 in cash and
800 annually for its maintenance We have no pet
theories to work out, no preconceived notions as to
how this institution is to be organized in what
manner it should be conducted We hope to CO.
operate with others in the undertaking and are
ready to abide by the combined wisdom of those who
contribute to the same end. Being ready, however,
to contribute in measure to this object our
Selves we feel atberty to say to the people Of Min
neapolis and particularly to of large interests
in this city, that at time in it's history there
ever greater reason for prompt and liberal response
to an urgent need nor is it conceivable, in our judy
ment, that anything could make more largely for
the material as we'll as the moral welfare of the city
than an intelligent and successful effort the part
Of her citizens to provide a place and way by
which men who are not vicious depraved or wholly
committed to habits Of diss patton and debauchery
but who are brought under influences and tendencies
in that direction by force Of circumstances may have
chance to escape. "# 49,
We have just seen the city Of ST. Paul raise
nearly 100000 by subscription for the erection of
two important public bu1ldngs-an auditorium and
home for the Young Mems Christian association
It has been remarkable exhibition Of public spirit
something which has impressed the country and
ought to be exceedingly suggestive to the people of
Minneapolis as to the confidence which the people Of
st. Paul entertain in the future Of that city
Six hundred thousand dollars is not needed fo1
the purpose under consideration this city, half
Of it.: A third Of it would be exceedingly liberal
provision for the Inauguration Of this work And yet
the establishment Of places Of public comfort and
convenience made attractive by their furnishings
equipped with means of amusement and entertain
ment and proper refreshments, located so as to be
readily accessible, may be made to do more for the
city Minneapolis many times than both Of the
institutions to which St. Paul has contributed SC
largely.
In sense this matter should come home with
peculiar force to the church people of this city, They
have 1eoiced in the closing Of the only door which
hundreds and perhaps thousands Of men in this city
feel at liberty to enter Sunday, where in the win