The morning call., 1893-06-05
THEIR HOLY WAR.
No Relenting in the Fight
Against Dives.
DEFENSE OF THE NEW -AW.
Enthusiastic Meeting of the Citizens
League to Thank City Authorities
and Support the Ordinance.

The best element OF San Francisco ac-
corded its sympathy and support to their
holy warfare. The new liquor license
ordinance which, it is to be hoped, is to
abolish the dives, was assured beyond
doubt moral influence. which will win
for The movement thorough victory.
City Officials-the Mayor, Board of
Supervisors, police were graciously
thanked for accepting the ordinance as
framed by thu league and subsequently
making it law. Such gratitude coming
from San Francisco's best citizens without
the tinge OF difference in religious views,
or fanaticsm of any kind, must be en-
cour aging indeed for the authorities.
Without a single dissent in a monster
meeting it was resolved TO stand by the
new an i-diVe law to tia last ana defend it
vigorously.
This ali took place in METROPOLITAN Hall
yes erday afternoon. where there was as
mucn sincere enthusiasm ready and re-
spOnSive rs ever resouDded within the
familiar walls. Among the large audi
ence were persons of every rank-Tepre-
sentative ppople, men of homes and Their
wives and daugh eTs, ladies whose whole
appearance denoted wealth aud refine
meut, SubStanIial-lookin gentlemen who
might rattle millions IN their rockets and
honest-faced and earnest sons of toll. Yes,
1t was a represen tatlve gathering, with all
L Q QGCb4 uul u a ItllRluuS klGSdliOU,
though at the proper occasions explosive
enthusiasm resounded through the build
ing.
They crowded the lower floor and over
flowed into the galleries until seats were
scarce away up near the roof. Scattered
among the mass Of people could be- seen
the faces Of many elergymen and also
leaders of public thought.
Michael Flood presided, and as presi-
dent orcupied the center chair on the
stage. Grouped around him were the fol-
lowing clergYmen and others interested In
the great social ana moral movement be-
gun year ago after THE CALL sounded
the tocSin for the fight: DR.. A. c. Hirst. DR..
J. @ A Henry, Fa'her Montgomery. Rev.
Thomas Ftlben, Rev. I. II. Woodward,
Rev. H. Nj. Bevier. II. L. Gear. c. o. Ben
ton, Joseph Moscrop, j. Hutchinson, j. G.
Eastland, C. g. Perkins. L. a. Girvin, w.
II. Barnes, j. K. Firth, w. Il. Chamber
lin, Mr.. Ihorntun and 5. Martin.
On one side OF the platform large choir
OF ladies sat. They sang very impressiyely
and 10 tuneful voices sacred music TO the
accom- paniment of the great organ.
In calling the assemblage to order
Michael Flood took occasion to review the
leagues fight for reform and state for
what purpose the meeting was called. In
reviewing the situation be said:
The CALL was the only paper which
espoused this movement at first, and then
the other papers took it up. And it re-
NAMED consistently with us all through.
This paper deserves all praise for begin
ming the movement"
His words were warmly appauded, and
he preceded to tell his audience that the
meeting was held for the purpose of re-
turning thanks 10 the city authorities for
making dives Illegal and to the press for
Its generous aid; and also to defend the
newly framed ordinance against the at
lacks of the dive-keepers.
A A..
orde, and successfully carried it through
against powerful opposition, was greeted
ven hsarty applause. He said that the
fFs1-- taken 10 test the validity of the law
Is al Inefficient and unconstitutional one
NIhe sole Object purpOrt and effect of the
ordinance passed is to address itself to the
police and licensing authorities to with
bNld licenses from certain class, among
which are the diye-keepsrs of this CITY,
Inc ofense of a dive-keeper who sells
liquor without license is simply the same
otfense as any man selling liquor without
proper authority is guilty Of. He cited the
high license law of Stockton, which almost
prohibits lfquor-selling in that city. 1t
was tested and found to be constitutional
as IolIce power for regulating the sale of
liquor.
At the request of the executive commit
tee he read the following resolutions,
which were adopted:
ReSOiUed, That We heartily rejoice at the sue
cess which has crowned our efforts to secure
Appropriate legislation for The radical suppress
SlJu OF the corrupt dives OF San Francisco
EeSOtred, That we hereby express our CRATE
fni appreciation of the public service renders ed
10y oui Board Of Supervisors in their prompt
passage and by our Mayor in MS prompt APP
proYai OF the ordinance requested by our eX-
ecuilY- committee, Withdrawing liquor licenses
from The Keepers of the dives; and we congrat-
ulate the people OF San Francisco upon having
as thelr representatives such faithful public
servants
Eesoleed That we believe the amendment
Withholding liquor licenses from the keepers of
Tie dives 10 be within the cons -Hutienai grant
OF local police mower, and we authorize and in
'Uuct our executive committee TO take all
p1oler steps TO aid in securing its enforcement,
ana 10 assist in maintaining its validity and
cuhsItullonalIfy IN our courts In whatever
manner II may be assailed.
ReSolre6, That We are opposed TO making test
cases under the amendment not warranted by
Us terms, which contain no penal provision,
but are solely addressed TO the action OF lcens-
ing power, leaving The subject matter of pun
isiment Tor selling liquors without license
wholly 10 The ore alton of the penal provisions
upon that subject always heretofore existing,
ana We DO no. approve OF arrests OF dive
keepers upon complaints Improperly referring
10 the terms OF that amendment. which have
nothing To DO with their offense against the law.
ResOtUed, That we demand of our police au-
thoritles the arrest and conviction OF every
.diVekeeper who continues 10 sell liquor with
out license under the ordinary complaint
against persons so doing, and til { The dives be
finally closed upon that basis the only basis
provided IOr IN Inc personal legislation oil our
city.
Resolued That we believe that eternal vigil
lance IS lie price of freedom from lawlessness,
aud that we VIII maintain this ClIiZenS League
for The suppression Of he Vices Of san Fran
cisco until every one of these hannts of vice
and crime which 1nlest our city shall be forever
closed.
Rev. DR.. Hirst was the next speaker to
address the meeting.
remember about year ago" he said,
TINS battle for morality and purity began
ID San Francisco. 1t looked like hope |
Tess task then and has been very
persistent WORK since, but none
me less successful so far. Dur |
ing the political campaign, iu spite of !
al oDposillhn, as was predicted. the ban
ner OF the Citizens League never trailed |
Ill the gust aud we claimed victory,
1t does seem as if these diye-keeper-
are slow 10 believe there has been some |
where in the city of San Francisco a great |
moral force and sentiment accumulaiing
and that this means purity for San Fran. |
cisco. [Appluse.
Our meetings here have resulted in CIV |
ing us IN the last campaign men who make |
us believe that m nhood prevails
TN this campaign | think we found |
Butcher as our leader. As a citizen Of San
Francisco | am proud to say our Mayor
came as our Butcher, and / hope that as
time goes on we will see, him strike out
for the Governors char of California"
Mayor Ebert should have been there to
hear the applause his name was instru-
e.n -.