San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1893-04-05
THE SECRET MEETING.
Five Faithful Prohibs Hold Con-
clave Over the Sunday Law.

Last night there was held a Scret meet
ing at the law office of McLeary Il FIem-
ing. 1t had been advertised as the meet
ing of the p authorized by the opera
house meeting, but only five of the faith
full turned up. The night was still and
Sultry, and the vicinity was as quiet as a
church mouse; an occasional street car
went numbering over the bridge and now
and then pair of lovers StrOlIed along
discussing the moon: one boat, or gOndola,
nlled with a merry party passed under
the bridge, obliviOuS of the session of
the DogeS in the second story. 1t was
just such a night when secret DlOtters
against the peace and happiness OF the
people might have found more pleasant
employment; but not so with these round
heads; they were in search of witches,
that they might have burning at the
stake. to strike terror to all the heather.
The i've c0nSpiratOrS against the general
peace OF the community, as near as your
reporter could guess. were Salvation
Army Gen. Fleming, Col. Il. M. Moore,
j. n. GroeSbcck, assistant prosecutors
for the army, Finley and Bowen. 1t was
small showing for the p, but they
determined to go on in their crusade
dispute the falling away of their fellow
crusaders. By common consent, Gen.
Fleming presided over TIE meeting. but
before beginning the ceremonies, Brother
Moore produced from his pocket a bible
and moved that all present take an oath
OF secrecy not to divulge any Of the pro-
ceedingS, Brother GroeSbcck seconded
the motion which was carried. They all
felt easier as they wanted to exclude from
he press all information about the move
menJS Of the army. In taking the chair
Gen. Fleming spoke of the absence
of Col: HaltOm and Capt. Adams who had
visited Austin to secure the passage of
the injunction and bond law: he regret
ted the absence of these gentlemen as he
would rather they should report in per-
son the result of their visit to Austin. He
had been informed, however, of the main
facts of their efforts. When Col. HaltOm
and the committee visited Gov. HOgg,
they found him very mach at ease, with
his hands folded over mis- expansive
pOmpoSity: he received them with
bland prohibition Sunday law, smile
and listened to their tale of Woe. Col.
lIaltom bore with emphasis upon the
necessity of putting down the Sunday
law breakers. the gamblers and the social
evil, the governor agreed with Col Hal
tom and said he would do all he could to
help them out, but said the governor: |
tried to enforce the Sunday law in San
Antonio and found shat | could not do it,
because the good people of that city were
not OF my way of thinking The
governor, however. gave the committee
every assurance OF help.
The committee then tackled the legiS-
lature and came very near stealing
march upon the good people of San An
tonic by having the laws rushed through:
when on the very brink Of success their
plans were discovered and the laws are
Gen. Fleming, is somewhat discOuraging,
as it will force us to measures that will
bring us in conflict with our fellow citi-
ZenS: the making Of charges against in
diVidual citizens and trials in the Justice
courts. This is too bad.
Brother GroeSbecn interrupted the
general at this point and wanted to
know if the fight was reduced to a hand
to hand conflict with the saloon keepers,
il so, as a native of San Antonio he was
opposed to this as it would expose him to
the enmity of some of his oldest friends
and acquaintanCeS he had hoped to
throw the bond law between himself and
his old friends.
Bro. Moore then rose and proposed that
they might get the ladies to step in be-
tween them and the saloon keepers, and
keep ont of sight behind the crinOIne Of
the sisters; he urged that the ladies would
not be inSulted by the saloon
mem whiley they might be in danger.
Col. MOorc'S remarks met with applause.
Bros. Finley and Boone were anxious
that the battle come off as soon as pos
sible. but their motives were SuSpictOned,
as they are both lawyers with Scant prac-
tice.
Bro. Fleming regretted that Bro. Nc
Clure was not present to relate his eX-
perience, as it was sufficient TO bring tears
to the eyes Of the most hardened pro-
hibitiOnSt. Bro Mcclure had found that
his conduct had actually reflected upon
his wOOdpile Brother GrOeSbeck then
interrupted the General by referring TO his
remark made in his opera house speech,
to the effect that if the Germans didn't
like the Sunday law. they could leave the
country. Brother GrOeSbeck thought
while he agreed in the sentiment, 1T was
not exactly a good real estate advertise
ment.
Gen. Fleming evidently felt a little
nettled over this criticism, and replied,
that he knew what he was talking about,
that he was the attorney for the Alamo
Insurance company, which company was
largely made up of substantial Germans.
who endorsed his cOurSe,-they were not
"Bo- Dutch" but the ariStOcracy. They
had their clubs and did not care how soon
the gardens were closed.
This little reply siIenCed Brother GroeS-
beck.
The proceedings were long and dreary,
keeping up until after ten O'Clock, Wheh
they all stole out quietly and left for their
homes.
1t was resolved to hold another meeting
at which it was hoped that more OF the
faithful would be present.
He Prints a Denial.
ATLANTA, April 5. - President Nc