The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-03-08
EXCELSIOR AFIRE
WITH LICENSE WAR
Business Is Suspended While
Neighbors Work and Talk For
or Against Saloons.
Shops of Village Barber and
Blacksmith Storm Centers of
! Wordy Battle. A<

J. E. Rogers offer of $4,000 for the
exclusive saloon rights in Excelsior has
entered into the raging temperance
fight in the little lake village and is
proving one of the powerful arguments
Of the license forces.
It is argued that Mr.: Rogers reepu-
saloon in Excelsior and compliance with
the state laws in all respects. The adj
vocates of this solution declare all
should be satisfied with the compromise,
as they believe it will insure the end
of the "blind-pig' evil and the disor-
derby saloon.
However, friends Of Fred Hawkins,
who contemplates reopening his place
If license carries at the polls next Tues
day, and two other aspiring saloon men
oppose this grant of monopolistic power.
This project, and many more, combined,
makes the campaign in Excelsior the
hottest that has even been held In that
little village.
Two Centers of Interest.
In Moody's barbershop, the jovial
proprietor echoes the arguments of the
leader of the temperance forces, Rev.
Donald Mckenzie, and at any hour of
the day, from four to dozen partizans
are involved in heated discussions of
the great problem.
W. J. Boulger's blacksmith shop, a
stronghold IF the license forces. A
steady stream of callers pours out and
in and between the ring Of hammer and
anvil may be heard declarations. that
license is the only logical thing from
both moral and economical standpoints.
Moody's and Boulger's places are
only the centers of the largest gather
ings. Under every other roof down
town may be found knots Of men, and
the sky shelters scores of street argu-
ments.
Both sides are confident. The license
folk allege that Mr.. Mckenzie s vindic-
tives, hurled from his pulpit, have
right out and says who or what he is
hitting at.
Joke Makes Trouble.
The daughter of a prominent citizen
gave a party to her young friends .FUn-
known to her mother, she passed around
bottle of wild grape juice, which is
said to have been absolutely non-intoxi.
eating. From the pulpit later, Mr.. Ne
Kenzie is said to have cited the in
Stance and criticized the mother of the
young woman. The mother declares she
had not known that the daughter had
served the wine. 1t had been purchased
for medicinal purposes and was laid
In the .sideboard: The girl had passed
proved by her mother for even that.
A prominent citizen was bitterly de-
nounced, and his wife and daughte,
came near swooning when they heard
of it. Their friends say that that ser
mon lost votes for the prohibition
party; not that the license folk will
gain these votes, but that they will not
ha ~
Vigorous. but says he has dealt in facts
only.
No More Fireworks.
To a Journal reporter a prominen
citizen, who is one Of the staunch tenn
perance converts, said yesterday:
"The parson is a born leader and b.
will win his fight. I believe that SOM
of his remarks might better have BEEF
unsaid, and I told him so. I did no
blame him, for he is earnest. He is no
a fanatic, and doubtless can prov
every assertion he has made. But thi
! is a peaceable village and we do no
that may be misconstrued, so ther
will be no more sensational work froI
our side:v
"Something will drop Monday o
tuesday, is the oininous statement be
ing passed out by the license tactic
today. What it is only chosen FEY
know. That Mr.. Mckenzie is to b
made the object of the move is ad
mitted.
Street Railway Takes Hand.
Another interesting development
The charge Of the license folk that tn
street railway company is logging on
the temperance movement. They dt
clare that the company does not want
saloon in Excelsior for fear that it wi
detract from the business at the bal
in the Tonka Bay and St. Louis hotel
which, it is charged are run in the il
terests of the company.
NJ The present president Of the council
L. F. Sampson, whose position is equiv;
lent. to mayor, is being urged to III
again. He is an avowed high licens
advocate, declaring it is impossible
stamp out "blind pigging' with a on
man police force. In the eve1
that Mr.. Sampson declines, whi<
appears probable, A. H. Lyman is tt
probable candidate. G. T. Cheely al
u George B. Gould are mentioned f,
councilmen. The ticket will be chose
at a caucus Saturday evening.