New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-06-03
TO ARREST THE MINISIER.
A CHARGE OF CRIMINAL LIBEL.
EXCISE COMMISSIONER KOCH AND JUSTICE
GRADY MAKE A RAID on THE REV.
THOMAS DIXON, JR.

Joseph Koch president Of the Excise Board. went
to the jefferson Market Police Court late on Weohes'
dav afternoon and obtained warrant from Jusuce
Grady for the arrest Of the Rev. Thomas D4oh' IT,
pastor Of the Twenty thrd street Baptist Church. on a
charge Of criminal libel No effort made to serve
the warrant until yesterday morning. Commissioner
Koch went to the Police Court about 10 A. m. ana
swore TO the document, and Bernard Connolly, the
court policeman. was sent ont to arrest Mr. D4oh'
He went to the minister's nome, at NO. 6l west
Ninety -fourthst.. but Mr. Dixon was not In without
telling who he was. Connolly asked when the clergy
man would return. The servant said: "some tine
between 3 80 and O'Clock this afternoon rs
that would have been too late for court. the officer
said he would call again this morning at 0 o'clock.
The complaint Is based on the following passage IN
the usual prelude 10 Mr. Dxons sermon. delivered on
sunday morning at Association Hail. where the con
grcgatiOn is wOrshipplng: "The city government
bids defiance to the moral sentiment Of the community
Mayor Grant has Just rcapp0Intcd Koch, an ex-Com-
missioner. This fellow WIS the biggest scoundr" OF
all the Boarh-ths one man OF all men who deserved
10 be kicked into oblivion. lie stands convicted Tor
the violation of his oath As Commissioners, and should
be In the penitcntiary to-day. lie came mp 70 the
standard of the Mayor and was reaPponed'
Connolly returned 10 the Jefferson Market Police
Court and reported that he cohld not find Mr. Dixon
A. II. Iummel Mr.. Kocls lawyer had been told that
the would como up for hearing at . p m and
he was on hand and waited until court adjourned ms
he thought that Mr. Dixon might see the report OF te
warrant issued for his arrest and might come to the
court. Mr.. Dixon did not arrive. Mr.. Hummel SAID
that Mr.. Dixon had had thr statement complained OF
published in pamphlet form, and was sending 1t broad
cast over the country.
\ Tribune reporter Mr. Dixon at his home last
night lie seemed 10 be amused at the news that n war
rant had been issued for his arrest Here am' he
said ready for the officer. saw the news In the
evening papers and could have gone to the police court
but prefer be arrested and taken there by force
shall wait here for the policeman tomorrow morn
ing and ls him put me under arrest The so-called
libel was uttered by me In my regular prelude TO my
sermon Of last sunday. Tho prelude was written two
weeks ago. All my preudes and sermons are sent
out by press association in this city. The prcluce
Of last sunday circulated more than any other.
As regards Commissioner Koch. am going to
the bottom OF his official record. fully understand
the Importance Of what said and be
lievc that every word was true. hope to
prove 1t. have no personal anmOsity
against Mr. Kocr, but he Is not a III man TO hold
Office. and said what / did because | wanted 10
have him removed | have begun campaign OF
twenty five years against Tmmany, and ~ | have
said time and again In nv pulpit. hold myself per
sonay responsible. NJ citizen Of this city. for every
statement make in public.
80. do not think that this business came from
Tammany Hall don't believe that Koch consulted
with Croker. II he had. the warrant would not
have been issued. Croker I, too clever a man for
that Koch couldn't have brought suit at a better
time Whcl ! made the statement was defend
ing DR.. ParAhurs and was .issuins 4
call t. the young men Of ny congregation
to help me IN my fight against Iamm9ny ! am am
sort Il branch ~ the Iarkhurst society. Who viii
defend me John L. Abncy and Frank Moss and
The case will come up in the Jefferson Market
Police Court this moiDing.