Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1889-05-03
PLAIN TAI FROM BISHOP POTTER



With Refereirce to HIS Centennial Serm IN
at st. Paurs. New York.
NEW YORK May S.-Bishop Potter was
called upon a his residence in Fifty-ninth
street by Un tied Press reporter yesterday
with view to learning what the reverend
gentleman had to say about the fieace criti-
cisms which tie following passage IN his SER
| mon at st. Pulls church on Tuesday had
| brought forth
We have exchanged Washington's dignity
| for Jeffersonian simplicity, which IS only an
other term for Jacksonian vn garity.
The bishop said: IL have heard of the crjti-
| cisms, but have read none of them as YETI
1T is claimed in some quarters that you
insulted the president and attacked the Re-
publican party"
II certainly lid not intend to insult or at
tack any one. l can not make any explana-
ton just now, but if, on reading the criti-
cisms think it is necessary, will do so over
my own sigma ture"
The bishop pooh-poohed the idea that he
| objected to Archbishop Corrigan being
slated to pronounce the benedicton at the
sub-treasury. "The archbishop and myself, {"
| said Bishop Potter, "are on the most anna
BILE terms, and esteem him highly" The
| bishop refused to further discuss the matter
Bishop Potter Explains Himself.
Later in the day Bishop Potter talked
| more freely. Referring to the remark above
quoted he said: "'Vulgarity' as | used it
| did not refer tn manners but to the political
| atmosphere. Vulgar means common The
| manners of the people may be very high,
| but the moral zone very low Look at some
countries in Errope"-and the bishop named
| them. snow you catch the idea. l am no
ID liz.
| life, but l hate 'taffy' and platitudes Be-
| sides, there were plenty who were sure to
pay sounding compliments to Mr.. Harrison
| and the nation that honors him. | wasn't
| needed for that.
The ClamOr for Office.
apply what l said regarding my estimate
OF the presidel tial office to the present situa-
ton. How much time has Harrison given to
craftsmanship Not an hour SO far as any
body knows. Ee was put where he is to MAIN
tain the nation IS dignity; to protect the rights
| of the poor and rich; to rule; not to engage
| in barter and trade. But alas, what spec
| tacle We have We behold the president of
| the United Sta1es of America intent only on
| getting congres smen out of the house at mid
| night so that he can go to bed What's the
use of beating about the bush in this matter
1t makes me very tired"
A Hateful Dictum."
Then you he no thought of assailing the
personal character Of Andrew Jackson"
"Not in the slightest" replied Bishop Pot
| ter; "but cannot forget that under the
jackson the regime hateful dictum was pro-
nounced to the victors belong the spoils'.
Raking for Rich Men.
when / speak of this as the era of the
plutocrats nobody can misunderstood me- l
don't intend they shall Everybody has rec
ognized the riss of the money power Its
growth not merely stiles the independence of
the people, but the blind believers in money =
| omnipotent power assert that its liberal use
condones every offense. The public does not
speak out as it should These plutocrats are
the enemies of religion, as they are of the
| state.
Has II I'M for Some People.
"And, not to mince matters, will say that
| while had the politicians in mind, promi-
nently, there are others. / tell you i have
heard the corrupt of money IN cleo
| tions and the sale of the sacred right of the
| ballot openly defended by ministers of the
gospel l may find it necessary to put such
men of the sacred Office in the public pill
Tory. The social tendencies in the great
cities, outside OF politics, are most inspiring,
most elevating But the spoils system, and its
| related vice, the purchase of votes are things
to be afraid of, 70 be jumped upon and stran-
gled"