The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1891-04-21
COMSTOCK'S CRUSADE.
The Tribune's Political
Fight Taken Up at a
Tabernacle Meeting.
MUCH TALK ABOUT GAMBLING.
But New York's Moral Scavenger
Is the Only Speaker Who
Knew Anything About
Race Tracks.

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county by the Rev. !. w. Gowen, Of
Grove Church. Union Hill. requesting
that delegates representing the members
of the churches meet at the Tabernacle
last night. The object OF the meeting
was to effect an organization for the pur-
pose OF enforcing the law regarding pool
selling and book making About 800
representatives OF the churches attended
last night
After the delegates were all seated the
following clergy men and citizens as
oended the plat tform:-The Rev. /. w.
Gowen, Union Hill; the Rev. J. l.. Scud-
zabriskie, the Rev |. w Hathaway OF
Jersey City; the Rev. G. J. Wright of
Union Hill, the Rev. DIR. A. McKelvy, the
Rev. William Q. Snodgrass aud the Rev.
DIR. David Mitchell Of this city; the Rev.
G. X. Barnes, DR.. X, +. Chabert. l.. Shan
The Rev. Mr.. Gowen called the meet
ing to order and requested the
Rev. A. A. Zabriskie to offer prayer. The
clergyman asked for wisdom from the
Almighty. who had promised to help the
people when they cried out against evil.
The Rev. Mr.. Gowen was then elected
permanent chairman Of the organization,
j. Harry Fink, Secretary, and ex-Mayor
Garret D. Van Reipen. Treasurer. For
President of the Hudson County National
Bank; James Fleming, Il. M. Doane,
John w. Harrison. DIR. William B. Laird
and George p. Howell were selected.
The FINANCE Comnittee chosen were
w. Nicholson, John Sims, Samuel w.
Forman and the Rev. Cornelius Brett.
The Executive Committee consisted of all
the above officers and E S. Cowles, Presi-
dent of the Young Mems Christian Asso-
~{o T I T.
Scudder, DR.. r. Stesdman and the Rev. l.
w. Hathaway. These men represent the
best element in Hudson county and are
all men OF much influence, aud nearly all
are wealthy and have direct interest as
taxpayers In the welfare of the county.
The Rev. Mr.. Gowen, in few remarks,
said that he was glad to see SO many
present, and that when he glanced
around the church he saw representa-
tlyes from all parts OF the country. The
Chairman then introduced Rsv. John l..
Scudder, who said substantially
I'VE are here for the double purpose OF
protesting against pool selling, anu to or
Ranizs for the purpose of having she law
enforced. First, we must sh0w our IN
dignation. Pool selling is worse now
than it was two years ago at Gutenberg
1t was always bad, but now 1t is much
worse, and is a central point for gamblers
and pickpockets 10 focalize. The
evil is a powerful one: as
We 6Qdll uuQ OuL DclOLc IL Is tADtItll-
mated. All order loving citizens in this
county protest against this evil at the
race track, but there are some people
who believe in having races. They are
the liquor dealers who supply rum and
beer to those who. go to the tracks; but
the decent people here all want the
gambling evil eliminated from the Gut
tenberg track
THE LEPRosY EXTENDING.
'sThis leprosy is not only at Gutenberg,
but from there IL extends all over the
county and into New York and elsewhere.
In regard to the terrible evil wrought by
the pool sellers, we could if necessary,
give many names OF young men,
tonight, who have gone to per-
dition from pool selling. No man
can attend to his business properly who
goes to races and he soon loses his place
of trust. know young man-he is but
seventeen years old-wno is now in the
Reformatory. Gambling sent him there.
10 spare his relatives feelings will not
mention his name. HIS first attempt at
betting was to invest $50 with the pool
sellers. He won $50 with this, and it en-
ticed him on. Soon he lost all his money
and finally he owed 500, with no more
credit. Then to raise money he forged
three checks. The proceeds OF this crime
went to the gamblers and the young man
was sent to the Reformatory. know an
other young man who was in the employ
of one of the leaders at Gutenberg. He
frequently drove ais employer TO the
track and the employer gave him tips on
the horses. The young man was ruined
by these tips, stole some articles TO obtain
more money, was arrested and convicted
and is now in prison. There are number
less examples of this nature.
''fhis is the time now to stop this cry
lug evil and TO protest Pool selling and
book making are contrary to law. but the
law can't be enforced because the men
elected to Office have inter ests in Gutten
berg. There Is big money ia it for them.
Ask Mclaughlin how much money there
is in II. / tell you there Is big money and
he wants it. We elect men who pack
grand juries and use them. What are we
going TO do? The officials who should
protect us own stock in the Gutenberg
track. This is what we must do. We
must put our hands in our pockets, like
lawyers an detectives, aud tight. This
battle will cost US some money before we
are through with it anu we must go down
in our pockets.
FATHER HENNEssY's POSITION.
am glad there Is such good represen-
tation of all che Protestant churches here
and feel assured that We have the Cath
Ollie clergymen with us also. | have a
letter from Father Hennessy that l will
read.
DEAR Mr.. ScuDDER--I am in receipt OF your
favor Of yesterday. l am sorry the state Of my
health viii not allow me TO be at the meeting IN
tAo AeStt Aa%tp SA -Achb0J oAs 2 -
may say that am 10 sympathy with the object
OF the meeting, which Is 10 put stop to the
dangerous practice Of pool selling at racing
tracks within the limits of this county. / hope
the meeting will enter Wig orous protest against
the work Of the pool sellers, which cannot fail to
be source of great Generalization to the COM
munity With great respect,
remain very truly yours,
PATRICK HEsSEssEY.
81 believe Father Hennessey in these
sentiments represents the entire Catholic
clergy, and am glad they are with us.
There is one thing want to impress on
you all. and that is. that this is not
ministers movement but citizens and
it is not denominatonal Now if we are
willing 10 do more than make speeches,
/ believe we shall succeed"
Chairman Gowen, at the conclusion of
Mr.. Scudder's remarks, read q telegram
from Rev. DIR. kempshali, of Elizabeth,
which stated that the clergyman was too
Ill 10 be present, but wished the move
mept success. Mr.. Gowen said that Dr.
Kempshall would aid them with his
advice until the gambling was stopped.
s'You who are opposed to gambling"
said Mr. Gowen, ought to let your senti-
ment be known and express your opinion
openly. To not do SO Is moral cowardice.
There are some men who always throw
cold water on any movement like this by
saying. We can't do anything; they are
TOO strong This is not true. You who