Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-01-17
LOCAL NEWS,
The Pastors Union.
INTERESTING MEETING TO-DAY.

FOSTER secretary. Rev. Mr.. Steele madc an In
quiry as 10 the number OF ministers present
)" M the resolutions were adopted at the pas
tors meeting declaring that the DIST rct Com mis-
sioDers who would enforce the law should be
appointed. Mr. Kelly answered from memory
That there were about twenty present
WITHDRAWAL AND A PROTEST.
MT. Kelly read letter from Rev. nr. Lana
han. withdrawing from the uuiOn; also one
rom Rev. W. Parsons. protesting against
lhe Incorporate methods OF the pa dors union
Nr. Kelly said That the acts were not those OF
an unauthorized body. and that they repre-
sented the pastors. Rev. Mr.. Parsons said that
II set med 10 him that the meeting had gone
they had cone good, for there had been fewer
licenses issued. He had no doubt that harm
bad been done since they had passed the tem-
peraIe MOOD.
THE COMMISSIONERS DEFENDED.
he had asked several questions OF the Com
missioDers as 10 whether the law had
been faithfully executed. and received
their answers thereto 10 the effect that the
law had been complied with: tnst IA
some Instances where licenses were approved
by the beard they had been rejected by the
oommissoners- To The question why has not
the failure OF Mr. Abner To obtain the sigma
tuie OF the Postmaster General prevented the
Issuance or his license Major Morgan said that
he attorney had recommended that it issue
the opinion or Mr.. Riddle being based on the
decision OF the Cabinet, with but one dissenting
voice; that only congress has the right TO ob
lect or approve as 10 government property
They further observer that the delay I'm exam.
IL tie cases was unavoidable. and that in the
TWO cases pan doDtd the parties had compiled
with the law. for the fault, n any, was with
Tie ComEalssioners. They had rejected the
licenses opposite the market. For these rea-
sons he believed that the commissioners had
cone what they could.
Rev. Mr.. Leech said that in his part OF the
city Uhc esstern) there were numerous cases
Wheie licenses disapprove ed one day were suo-
sequently approved. Rev. Mr.. Richardson said
that they had at last had an answer fresh and
direct from the Commissioners Rev. Mr.. Ieech
moved that the subject be referred TO q CON-
mittee.
THE COMMISSIONERS CHARGED WITH fNCoNsls1-
ENCY.
Rev. MIR. Richardson said that on the 18th OF
Dect moer the license board approved the appli-
cations opposite the market: Mt McDonaids
license having been approved the previous
month by the Commissioners. and now they
disarproVe or all others. Does not this show
Inconsistency: AS 10 Mr. Riddles late opinion
In OPPOSITION 10 his former opinion. he held that
that fact showed that they had been acting un-
der his former opinion. The commissioners
after having said that they found that the law
had been complied with. provide regula-
lions that all violations OF law should
be prosecuted. They said that all persons
should be prosecuted IL their applications had
not been made before October 3Ist, and vet
they Issued licenses TO those who had not so
applied Among these were Charles shelton
Who did not apply TN November 10Th. On the
18th he was arrested and fined On the 22d his
application was rejected, and subsequently, he
was pardoned and then his license was ap-
proved. Is that the man who should have a
neeLse after keeping open two weeks In def
ance OF law
Mr. Leech said in the case of Shelton the
commissioners had promised not TO Issue a IL
cense for place fronting school house, and
Shelton went home, closed up one door and
opened enother, and his license was given him
Mr.. Richardson said that the fact OF loose
enforcement OF the law heretofore was shown
by The fact that they have rejected number
no had lrppSpS last lie npntQA lla a hara
bad teen just construction OF The Law.
ADVOCATING TEMPERANCE IN FIGHTING INrRN-
PERANCs.
Mr. Parsons he'd that the Commissioners had
been fouGn fault with almost continuously. He
held that the Commissioners had enforced the
law and noting the case OF Shelton saying
lively on the other street. The law was full OF
subterfuges. He did not believe tnat this
: should be fght with the Commissioners and iu
should be reasonable. temperate movement
pastors not beiDg represented he claimed that
this was not the pastors union.
Rev. NIL Ieech.-What about hurrying into
print?
Rev. Mr. Parsons answered that he did not
publish his letter.
THK COMMITTEE APPOINTED
After further debate by Rev. Mr.. Hyde Rev.
Mr. Leech. Rev. Dr. Reilly. Rev. DIR. Butler aud
Rev. A. Bouldin, the motion was adopted. and
Rev. Drs. Butler, Parker, Messrs. Richardson,
Power and steele were appointed the commit
tie.
During the absence OF the committee Rev.
Mr.. Ramsdell said that he had become con-
v1Dced that the law was loosely Administered;
that there was bad management I'm the ONCE
and there was room for Improvement
Remarks were also made by Rev. Messrs-
Hyde and Leech.
AN ADDRESS TO THE PUBLIC.
The committee then made a report In the
shape OF an address TO the public. Ii states
that they presented paper on the subject
signed by 80 pastors, asking that the law be
faithfully executed; that their position Is the
enfotced. The report closes: ave have seen
their (the Commissionersl action condemned
10y The Judge OF the Police Court as IN violation
OF law and as paralyzing the same. We have
OF the liquor traffic and for three months per-
mltt1Dg saloons TO keep open opposite the Gen
eral Post Office and Washington Market CON-
Postmaster General ana the trustees OF
the market company. We aver again
that they have licensed over one hundred
saloons IN this District contrary 10 law and
therefore. We have nothing to retract, regret or
explain concerning our action In the matter;
and 10 the name OF the peace and order OF this
community, in the interest OF the public morals.
and with the fear OF God before US. we declare
our hearty sympathy with and endorsement OF
the resolutions adopted by the Pastors Union
[Tht sc resolutions declare "that the suprem-
acy OF the violated law, the peace and quiet OF
the community. and the protection OF the pub
lie morals demand the appointment OF Comnis-
slOners who will faithfully and justly execute
the law regulating the liquor traffic '-ksP.l
Rev. DR.. Reilly asked whether these re5olu-
tons contemplate the removal OF the COmmis-
sioDers. and remarked that he was not ln favor
of going further than placing the facts before
the public. He deprecated the personalities
which have been INDUCED In from time TO
time.
THE COMMITTEE AMENDED THE REPORT
so as to substitute the following resolution:
Whereas. IL has been intimated that the pas
& Is movement Is In the Interest II some par
t1cular candidate, or candidates, for the once or
Commissioner, therefore resolved that we have
prosecuted this inquiry simply In the interests
OF justice, and only ask either that the present
Commissioners fulfill their sworn duty or be
superseded by others who will. We have no
opinion who those others shall be-" The report
was adopted.
Rev. Mr.. Parsons said that the whole effort
seemed to be
ITO MAKE THE COMMISSIONERS sQUIRN."
Rev. Dr. Butler said that he had used the
word "wrtggle," and the idea was simply 70
compel the officers to do their duty. He en-
dorsed the paper, but was not in favor OF sigh
ing the paper because of the absence OF so many
who are fn full sympathy. he urged that the
paper 60 out as the address OF the union.
COMMITTEE TO WAIT ON THE PRESIDENT.
Rev. j. q. Ames opposed suggesting the re-
moval OF q commissioner. Rev. DR.. Parker
the commissioners as persons, but
claimed the right to demand the removal OF
those who fail to execute the law. Rev. Mr..
Power moved that a committee be appointed to
lay the facts before the President Mr. Hayghe
moved that the seoretary transmit copy or
the rpColuffnYo N % praotdAnt. "a Tho