Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1892-01-03
AROUND IN GOTHAM.
INTERESTING REVIEW OF TIMELY
MATTERS m THE 6ia CITY.
Democratic Oppodtion TO Tamrnsny-Bii-
flare- Rooms IN Churches-Good Effects
offs Dinn.r--A ,Iisnomer.

Correspondence OF the Richmond D!spasch-l
NEw YORK. January 2.-Another sporadic
attempt is being made TO reorgspize the
County Democracy OF set on foot new or
ganization which will be able to offer OPP
position to Iammany Hall. Through their
own corruption, Indifference to public In
terest. aud lack of character on the part
of lenders, the County Democrats. VINO
six years ago we're in almost complete
possession Of the municipal government,
were kicked out of power ssriatim.
Iammany came into possession after
nearly twenty years of wandering IN
the wilderness. and to-day II is abso-
lu,e IN its control and dispensation OF
$50. 900. 600 raised from our taxpayers.
BuLrARD-RooNs IN CHURCHES.
At meeting of Methodist ministers at
the Methodist Book Concern in this city
recently, one of the ministers, in discuss.
ing the affairs OF the church. suggested
that billard-rooms be opened in the base
ment of all the city churches IN order. 10
attract young men and bring them within
the reach OF church influence. The sng-
gestiOn created so much excitement that
the speaker did not have an opportunity
TO explain his plan IN detail, but l under
stand 1t contemplated not only billiard
tables, hut games OF all kinds. including
cigars and soft drinks. all TO DO furnished
At n cost that would make 1t an induce
ment for young men TO throw their pa
tronage to the church billlard-rooms IN
stead of to the saloon.
This suggestion need not have created
so much excitement, as the idea Is not new.
In Jersey City the Rev. John l.. Scudder
has been rum NJ an evangelical billiard
room and bowling alley for some time.
What Is more. 1t Is being run very sue
cessfully from on evangelical STANDPOINT.
Dir. Scudder has not yet educated the
jersey City churches TO the point wnere
they enter heartily into his work. but
at the same time many prominent
church people are cooperating with
him, and it may not be long until he
Will be able 10 hang out a billiard sign
on many of the jersey City churches. He
firmly believes that the chnrches-not only
in Jersey City. but in New York and other
large cities-wil bave 70 come to this
sooner OF later IN order 20 counteract the
saloon influence Mr. Scudder calls his
scheme the " Peoples Palace Work." He
keeps a clean, attractive place, and sup
| plies billiards. ten-pins. SWITCHBOARD, aud
any soft drink all at half price. 1t
keeps the salOOn-men in n state OF wild
| and unchristIan indignation, but church
| people tell NE the scheme is working
well. The stringencv which prevails
| in the finances of many young men who
| have the billiard habit drives them
TO the cheapest place and no one in Jersey
CITY pretends TO compete with Brother
Scudder. SaloOn-men say they could not
pay rent and gas bills and furnish bill
| lizards and shuiiie-bOard and cigars at his
! ridiculous prices and so he has a large
run of custom. While the Impecunlous
young men are awaiting their turn at his
cheap tables no has his agents who ply
| them with tracts and otaer appropriate
| literature. Each OF his barkeepers Is
able 10 sing HYMN or do a turn ut ex-
hortatiOn and when O young man
| applies at the tar for drink,
no matter how "soft," he gets what he
calls for and temperance lecture and
some excellent religious advice thown IN:
| The Peoples Palace IL rua at financial
| loss. but IL has proved so successful that
those interested In church work are will
| ing TO keep 1t up. and there are even plans TO
| enlargeits capacity and establish branches
| in other parts of the city. 1t has brought
| large number of young men into the
| Sunday school and some into the church
who were in promising way TO 60 TO
| the devil" as it was explained 10 me. In
view OF this. perhaps the idea Of billiard
| rooms in the basement of city churches Is
worth considertnG