The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1878-03-21
PITTSBURGH.
Has the Murphy Movement Done
Good ?-Thc Reverend Rascal Rine
-Puritanism OF Pittsburgh Saloon
KPeDers.

Correspondence of the Register.
PITTSBURGH, March 20.
Just now the ministry o. this city are
in a statistical mood. Conundruns from
different parts Of the country relative to
the permanent benefits OF the Murphy
movement are coming in Ike interrogs-
tions from four end men. Whist per
centsge OF signers are fsithful2 This is
the question in key hole. All along
outsiders have been wont TO ridicule ex-
aggerstions as 10 numbers, and call for
figures. No effect was observed how
ever, until Rev. Leonard Bacon seriously
doubted the fattering tales Of success
told by the temperance speakers. Tenn
perance speakers, as q rule, are as weird
and romantic, and as forward and
unreliable as the minstrels OF mil.
dewed centuries. They tell OF mighty
deeds which never had an existence,
in tact, and are related only TO tickle the
ears of "the groundlings." In Pittsburgh,
the cradle of the Murphy movement,
there are as many, If not more, saloons
to-day than were here before the advent
OF Francis Murphy, and the fact Stands
proved in the records of the county.
True, many men have been restored TO
their families and are held as shining
ornaments OF society. Herein lies one
great difference in being reformed under
the Murphy dispensstion, and eiectlng
the same end unasked and unsided. Let
man privately determine upon absten-
uous habits, and carry out to most sue
ceasful Issue his purposes, and he is simP-
ly "John Smith the man who has stop
ped drin king" But if he amble up bs-
fore a big congregation and announce,
with tears and confessions and promises
and all the shifting and SOLDERING pecu-
liar to 8 revival or first. class Murphy
meeting, that "fsom this time forth snd
forevermore, SO help me-" etc, that be
will remain sober, and instantly he has
purged himself of his vices according 70
the belief of society and is accepted into
full fellowship. How that confidence has
been abused, some OF the good men who
were leading spirits OF the movement At
hrst, might reveal, if they chose. But |
fancy they are content with washing
their hands clean Of Murphyisn as Muir
phyi,m. Nevertheless good temperance
work is berg done in this city outside Of
Murphy's subscription sbsorbers, (In this
thew resemble their chief AID the verdict
today of the sensible, non-excItsb!e pe0.
pl. is, give Us the temperance wI!hou! the
Murphyism.
AFALLEs AEGEL-HIs ASTECEDEsTS.
A good specimen of Murphy sub
scription .bscrber i, Rev. ID. l. K. Rine,
now in jail in Csnada awaiting trial for
indecent assault on 8 little girl. Tbs
same Rine is 8 most glorious snd festive
cuss. in his psImy days he would spend
the afternoon Of q Sunday with fellow
minister OF this city, Rev. Gray. They
would occupy club rsom wherein were
the delightful games Of seven-up and
poker, and 8 fascinating woman, 70 com
ple,e the psrsphernAliA. Adjoarning 20
psrro; of their usually eloquent sermons,
they would again meet and the way
trunps would fare out and whisky pure
and uu iisguised 70 down their bypocrId.
cal thruau, would pale the most eIpe-
rienced debsuchee. But they both dis
covered that they were dancing on q
rope. one end Of which was pretty short
and thew wslized Of 70 the music Of an in
vestiaAting COMMITTEES Of Pres.
bvtery. the other of Msthodtst Center-
ence. Gray shook of the mud Of Pits
hurgh, and hego: himself hence. Not %
with Rine- Hn Subsequent exploit wAs
70 defraQd hs brother ln-lsE, . qEeeos-
zsre merchant, and bis next postohca
address for one year VA ClAsenont, toe
place where the Allegheny county work
house f0urishes. When released he sp-
peared, for the bene6t Of Q depleted Purse
| ifor be eoald no longer borrow, on the
fosirun, in q powerful, sulphurous lee
tn,e entitled sOut Of He'll He wa Oui