The Breckenridge news. (Cloverport, Ky.) 1876-1955, 1894-11-21
PRECINCTS.
Parkhurst and His Methods.

Measured by results, the Rev. Or
Parkhurst is undoubtedly the most sue
cessful OF all the American reformers o.
the present day.
About two years ago the doctor, single
handed and alone, began his famous
crusade against the then existing reigr
OF vice and corruption in New York
His heart was in his work, and he nerv-
| ed himself to meet the storm of ridicule
and abuse which he knew would soon
burst upon his head.
Warned by the failure OF other pulpit
reformers who had dealt in sensational
statements and fierce denunci .tions
without having the facts to sustain them,
he made it his business to first make
himself master OF the facts of the case.
Month after month this resolute and
fearless man plodded through the slums.
He took with him one or two trust
| worthy men whose testimony would
have weight, and together they visited
the disreputable houses whose inmates
engaged nightly in abandoned orgies
and obscene exhibitions which would
have shamed even the most callous vo-
taries OF vice in the worst quarters Of
Paris.
In the prosecution OF the keepers of
these dens the fact came out that the
police were aware OF the character of
their houses, but in consideration OF a
heavy blackmail periodically paid to
them they did not interfere with them.
When these revelations were first
made there was powerful opposition
arrayed against Parkhurst. 1t was said
that a minister had no right to become
detective and familiarize himself with
the worst and grossest forms OF immoral
ity, and that his crusade would do more
harm than good. But Parkhurst knew
what he was about. He was after the
facts, and he believed that when the
truth was made public he would win.
The newspapers gradually stopped their
ridieule and came to his support, and the
city politicians and police officials began
to feel uneasy. They saw that there
were tremendous possibilities in this
terrible preacher who went about with
an emotionless face, notebook in hand,
watching nude women and Matchmaking
policemen.
Finally, an indignant people ranged
themselves on the side OF Parkhurst and
then came the Luxow investigation. 1t
would be impossible to summarize here
the results. The testimony made it
plain that with few exceptions the police
judges and police captains of New York
were debauched gang of blackmailers,
and that their illegal gains during the
past thirty years had amounted to $780,
100000.
The election followed, and the people
rose in their wrath and kicked out the
whole crowd of corruptionists.
Now, What gave Parkhurst this won
derful victory? He did not win it by
bis sensational actions and utterances.
Others had been fully as sensational,
and had accomplished nothing This
man triumphed because he was making
fearless fight for good cause, and he
used facts for his weapons. He made no
charges without the proof to support
them, and when this dawned upon the
public mind the pulpit, the press and
the better classes rallied around the re-
former. They did not wholly endorse
his sensationalism, but they said; "Nev-
er mind whether Parkhurst's methods
were in good or bad taste. We must
deal with his facts. He has shown US
how to overcome the twin evils OF vice
and corruption and our self-preservation
demands prompt and vigorous action"
How DIR. Parkhurst and his work are
regarded in New York will appear from
the following remarks OF DIR. Scudder, in
his sermon last Sunday:
"The signal victory of last week was
due in large measure to one man-Dr.
Charles IL. Parkhurst. To-day he is the
most interesting figure in b, It'll politics
and religion. Two years ago man more
foully malignel could not be found in
these United Stats. lie was the target
for low j,sts in birrooms and variety
theaters Even the elec. pitied his RASH
ness and shook their heads. II he had
b en- weaker man, the tiger would
have swallowed him without the form
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