Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-05-25
THE | & D METHODS
Of Philadelphia Not So Nom
sensical as Those Ap-
piled in PittSburg.
THE POLICY OF MCCLURE
Denounced by the Leading Lights
of the Sister Society.
FOLLY OF A FANATICAL COURSE
And the Evil Results Of Secret Spy
System Pointed Out
THE POLICY OF MCCLURE
FOLLY OF A FANATICAL COURSE
And the Evil Results Of Secret Spy
System Pointed Out.
HOW COMMON SENSE BEGEFS SUPPORT

AhOSthk hSA0 VII VIC CNOAAuS Va DCpbClubCi
IL, 1881, at which the Law and Order So
ciety of Philadelphia was organized, and
have been an active member of the organi-
cation ever SINCE" said Mr.. j. B. Jones'
one of the Quaker City's prominent citizens,
''and have never seen the time during all
the period since that evening when such
methods and operations as have been
adopted by the so-called Law and Order
Society of Pittsburg would be countenanced
by our association, or any considerable pro-
portion of its membership"
As Mr.. Jones has been member of the
Executive Committee of the Philadelphia
society from the date of its formation, one
of the strongest financial supporters of the
organization and thoroughly familiar with
all its work, he speaks from exact knowl-
edge and by authority. He was found at
the established headquarters of the society,
very pleasant suite of rooms, adorned
with many portraits of well-known Ameri-
cans and historical pictures of value.
"What is your opinion of the effect of
such a crusade as has been inaugursted in
Pittsburg, Mr. Jones?" was asked by THE
DISPATCH correspondent
Not Ruled by Select Few.
'Tt can hardly fail to be harmful to real
law and ORDER" he replied, ''and is almost
certain to have reactionary influence
Where so many things have been attempted
as has been done in Pittsburg none of them
can be rightly carried out At odd times
during the life of our Philadelphia society
one or two radical members have suggested
q movement against such features of modern
civilization as the street cars and papers,
but such ideas have never received any con-
siderable support, and of late years not
even a suggestion of this nature has been
heard"
Then Mr.. Jones turned questioner and in
quired: "How many members has the
Pittsburg Law and Order Society and what
is their standing with the public?" When
informed that the actual membership of the
organization was the one feature most ieal-
ously guarded, and that the number of citi-
zens who would admit such a connection
did not exceed a score, Mr. Jones expressed
considerable surprise and said:
Two thousand persons, including many
of the best-known citizens of Philadelphia
are upon our rolls, and the number of what
we call contributing members is over 600
We expect to increase our strength this
year by from 1000 to 2, 500, and are now
taking active steps to that end. Heretofore
our membership has been entirely composed
of those who have enrolled themselves at
our public meetings, or who have volun-
tarily come to our ranks. Now, however,
we have divided the city into districts and
we are conducting an active canvass for the
purpose of making our organization even a
more representative one This is certainly
quite contrast as compared with our
Pittsburg namesake. I understand that
what is left of the original Pittsburg society
has largely fallen under the control OF few
radicals of that denomination which is so
determinedly hostile to Americas institu-
tions that they refuse to vote or exercise
their duties and privileges as citizens be-
cause the Federal Constitution does not e1-
actly meet their ideas I presume their
present tactics are Influenced by motives
equally unreasonable"
Sticks TO Legitimate Work.
The President of the Philadelphia Law
and Order Society is Arthur NJ. Burton, a
practicing attorney. When visited by THE
DISPATCH correspondent he said:
"Our society has practically devoted its
entire attention to matters earnestly de-
manding attention, such as the suppression
of violations of the laws relating to the
liquor traffic. In this line we have been
thoroughly successful, and our efforts are
now commended by the public and even BY
the prudent ones among the legitimate
dealers The society has persistently fol-
lowed the principle of its organization.
We tender to the authorities, whoever thev
may be, our aid and encouragement in the
performance of their duties We do not
criticise them when the decisions of the
courts appear to be unfavorable, or for any
apparent neglect of duty, but we do take |
occasion to commend them most heartily |
for what they have done and are doing to |
make the spirit of the law effective
'Not only has our society furnished In |
formation to the regular authorities but |
frequently have they requested us to give |
this information to them when their own |
efforts have been partially, or, perhaps, |
altogether unsuccessful. 1 believe that |
scarcely licensed bar can now be found in |
the city that does not respect and obey the |
law. We have recently had very few cases
calling for the revocation of licenses. We |
have the support and sympathy of our clergy |
of all denominations, and of our best citizens |
without distinction of party. Republicans, |
Democrats and Prohibitionists alike are |
our active helpers in the work.
"Al our progress has been accom- plished |
BY our careful and conservative policy"
continued President Burton. 81 have no |
desire 10 criticize any organization in |
Y,
attention to the fact that our proceedings |
have been such as to secure the hearty CO. |
operation and well wishes of the constituted |
authorities, as we'll as the great advantage |
of being sustained by public sentiment |
This, of course, would not be the case if the |
organization had attempted any rash and i'll |
advised movements. / can say officially |
that the Philadelphia Law and Order So |
ciety has no intention of beginning any such |
crusade as that which has so aroused popu-
lar indignation in Pittsburg"
Opposed to Anything Questionable.
Lewis d. Vail is the chief counsel, and |
consequently one of the most active officials
of the Philadelphia society. In response to
the question of The DISPATCH correspond
ent be said:
''Our organization had always considered
that to do one or two things we'll was
better policy than to scatter our efforts over
large and questionable field. Consequently
we have never made any movement against
the delivery of the news of the day, the
running of street cars on Sunday and
similar features of modern times, and there
is no present indication that we ever will.
As for the Sunday paper, that is largely an
by each person for himself If a church
member believes that the Sunday paper
would interfere with his religious duties, he
does not need to take it or read it. There
is no compulsion about 1t. The paper is
not forced on church members; but my in
formation Is to the effect that large num-
Der, possibly a majority of them, including
ministers, too, are glad to get It. With this
fact we'll known, do not see how crusade