The Irish standard., 1905-11-04

A"soA VI 11AS AQuor lTaIuc 1ue Sa-
loon is looked upon as an evil and the
question of its regulation calls for much
practical and sober good sense.
Mayor Jones and those who en-
Enthusiastically approve his present ac-
ton will find a large proportion of
the working class opposed to them.
The reason for this fact is not because
the latter use more liquor than others,
for. as matter of fact they use less,
but because the saloon is the most
convenient place for them to associate.
The saloon has been called the Poor
Mans Club" 1t Is q singing rebuke
to our civilization that the poor man
has no better club. In every human
being there is a natural tendency to
associate with his fellows. In the alb
sence Of any other means of association
the saloon has grown popular with
certain classes. The very men who
use it for purposes of association are
the ones who are engaged during week
days from morn until night doing the
hard outdoor work Of the world. Sun
day is their only vacation. They will!
naturally resent an interference with
what they will be pleased to term their
personal liberty. They will point to
the fact that the business man, pro-
fessional man and those generally en-
dowed with a greater share of the
worlds good things, have advantages
and privileges which are denied to
them. These arguments will not appeal
to the moralists but they will weigh
with the sound common sense of the
average of humanity.
Whether or not the closing of saloons
on Sunday will have bad effect upon
the business of Minneapolis is Of little
Importance. When the moral and
physical welfare of community is on
one side and the mere matter Of dol
lars on the other there should be but
one answer to the issue. This, of
of saloons upon Sunday Will be bene-
fit to the community from a moral
standpoint. The average man will not
be much concerned with whether or
not the saloonkeeper is injured. Neither
will the average man care about the
money that is spent in st. Paul on
Sunday. 1t is probably true that
large share Of the travelling public
will be led by the fact of the closed
saloon in Minneapolis to spend their
Sundays at st. Paul hotels instead of
Minneapolis hotels. The restaurant
and cigar business will be somewhat
effected. But such things should have
little weight in leading to a correct
conclusion.
The one sure and safe basis for the
Mayors action is the fact that he Is
supported by the law. If he is wise
enough to place his action squarely
upon the fact that the laws of the
state of Minnesota provide for the
closing of the saloons upon Sunday
his position can not successfully be as
sailed. 1t may make him unpopular
but he will have the satisfaction of
knowing that he is bat doing what
he solemnly took an oath to do when
he assumed his position at the head
Of the city government. If our officials
would take this simple position, that
they are but doing what their oath of
Office obligates them to do instead of
making apologies, they would at least
merit the respect of every law-abiding
citizen. 1t Is true that Mayor Jones
has been rather tardy in realizing his
duty. 1t is now ten months since he
swore that he would enforce the laws,
yet 1t Is better late than never. If
he will now maintain that his tardy
decision has been arrived at through
an Interchangeable determination to en-
force the laws as he finds them no rea-
sonable person will dispute the justice
Of his position. If, on the other hand
he disregards the law as he has for
the last ten months and as many of
his predecessors have done throughout
their terms of office, and places his
decision upon the question of the moral
welfare of the community he will f1ni
himself in hot water from the start
II the laws that are on the statute
books are unjust laws or If they have
not the sentiment of a majority of the
people behind them there is simple
remedy and that Is a repeal of the
laws in question. OF course we realize
that our law making machinery is not
perfect. The growth of great cities
In this country had developed some of
the weakest points in our legislative
methods. We believe that large cities
should be allowed to make their own
laws and regulations In reference to
all matters peculiarly effecting cities.
Our legislature is made up of members
from all over the state. The rural
communities predominating in influence
and Number. A legislature SO made up
passes law in reference to Sunday
closing Of saloons which in turn is
binding upon the whole state. Obvious
ly the closing of saloons on Sunday
has to do in particular way with
nNeo %ha