The sun., 1892-04-08
DENOUNCED BY A PRIEST.
MORAL, cTTxL, AND POLITICAL ABUSES
IN EL1EABEIH,
Stern, UaeoHpronssing. ana Persevering
Father Gessner Mas I.aSorea 70 ~ aintasa
Order asA Respect IN the Conn unity ty-His
COngregatlon 6tarS1eA ~ she Attsc o

eS0o100Mty-HN0
Consregssien stars1ea ~ che Attacks.
Nineteen years ago st. Patrick's Catholic
Church in Elizabeth was without q pastor.
Almost all Of the people who attended the
church were irish by birth or descent Two
OF their pastors had been Irish PRIESTS
Fathers Hennessy and Cody. The church was
without head because Bishop Baylev had
transferred Father Cody to st. James's Church
in Newark. The Bishops choice Of successor
to Father Cody caused lot OF surprise in
that Irish Catholic community in Eliza
beth. He sent the Rev. Martin Gessner
from little parish in south Jersey to take
charge OF the parish. Father Gessner was
German and he spoke imperfect English. and
the predictions were that he and his Irish
flock would never get along we'll together. st.
Patricks was anything but prosperous
parish. For years the church had been loaded
with debt. Tho members OF the congregation
were laboring people, who had only their
days wages to depend on. Although
Frather Gessner had displayed ability as
q hnancier. it was not believed that no
would be able to conduct the church
successfully. but the priests pastorate has
been remarkable in more ways than one. He
has not only made his parish one OF the most
prosperous in New Jersey. but OF late years he
has had q great deal to do with reforming
things in Elizabeth. Evildoers there fear
him more than they do the police From his
pulpit. Sunday after Sunday, he has attacked
vigorously every abuse In the town.
When Father Gessner appeared before his
congregation the first time nineteen years
ago they shook their heads and said to them
selves. well never get along with that
priest" He spoke with broad German ac-
cent, and very few comprehended what he had
to say. He was about 35 years old at that
time. q sturdy. vigorous man. It was not long
before he showed that he intended to re-
form things. His first attack was on the
saloon keepers. but tho liquor men laughed
when they heard that he was after them. Be-
h his t h hearts Of HIS
sS ponted q out them tsas Se ee intended to De-
o1s Se his stssS GS s sdn
Hs sresatien a'i By telling, them In plain terms
that they ~ must shaIna tie. saloons ~ tes of
the gin mills. as he called them. For many
h. p4e had to Do
. oSoI Syss his ne.s s Wss % to
worked single-handed. but after while other
At that time man who wanted to get IL
cense for bnrrocm had to have his applica-
ton signed fy twelve property who
owned property to refuse to sign applications.
the thosee" Who did, He became SO successful in
his crusade that the saloon keepers were
1--WE Il fool that me eddlesome German priest"
a lawyer said to the liquor men. I've got
t;6ns R,an to get property owners to sign apDlica
According to the lawyers scheme man who
wanted to get a license wns to buy lot in the
give to twelve friends deed for one part. The
twelve men we're to sign = ths application; m II
In sa 10 sa0y af ssn
cost a great deal to get a license, by that plan.
men whom he knew only as hangers
in 9Ss
L was. H .sqcceeded: One Sunday he an
that name name stucE to it. The prisst also devoted
days 81 he saSbatk went store to
store armed. and so afraid Of him were the
If95 mfpF thsi f nhes. Tea sy .d s he was
he went for the politicians. He was not bit
and that they didn't. scruple to buy votes.
IF s1sn S Re Eat t. cast
Republican because that party was against
rum. Nevertheless; he wouldn't vote. and he
has adhered to his determination not to cas-: q
the, politicians. q Elizabeth than any loyal
party man. Not long ago his. church had a
0l
OF both, parties were the. most liberal patrons
chss % ss M xoua So ss se' The the r % sfss ps
Would @ CO. come s5ound: dAlI AlI tSst ti%s Fathss
pened to be in the hall when any OF them Wis
i tied the fair he would smile and walk away way
poitieians tried in n many ways to % seeure ta ex.
aenuncatlons instead. 1t Is a tradition In
tion in the gift OF the powers, that be and who
has Father Gessners support will be success:
influential. politicians have, been Ignored BY
ne authorities and the man backed by Father
Father Geasners advice to the parents Of his
flock has led the young people to say that he
is altogether too severe He never tires q
ser Resi allow % soae srs
,G be out late at night Is one OF his mottoes He
x Sg m he
forbidden dance Il they are not watc he'd. and md
who disobey his orders. He has thnndered
ruined Young girls some time ago the
young, mems society Of hIs church h gave
people determined to make 1t an elaborate at
fair. On the evening OF the ball Father Cess
ner stood at the door OF the hall. He smiled
one remarked TINT ho was In exceptionally
good humor. While he Ioked with party, OF
door. and u young man and a young woman
stepped from each. When the two young
women entered the hall and had removed
their wraps Father Gessner saw that they
wore low necked dresses, That angered him.
Approaching them he said
Young ladies'. II you want to attend this
ball you must go home and dress yourselves"
otLassy HE yoSne women left H. ahs did not return
dresses were told the same thing by the blunt
spoken priest. The following Sunday he de-
by the girls Of his congregation. His parish.
ioners have picntcs and excursions occasion.
ally. Father Gessner always goes along to see
that tntox icating LIQUORS are not sold and that