New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-11-30
IN DEFENCE or FALL RIVER
LEADING CITIZENS MEET THE CHARGES
MADE IN AN ARTICLE
SANITARY CONDITIONS OF THE CITY-TIIE WATER
SUPPLY ENTIRELY PURE-CHURCH
INFLUENCES AT WORK


INFLUENCES AT WORK.
To the Editor of The Tribune
Sir: The citizens OF Fall River are greatly sur
prised at the contents of recently published arti-
Gle entitled impotence OF Churches in Manu-
featuring Town" MIR. Hale. the author. spent few
days In Fall River last summer. a stranger. maxi
ing personal observations. 1t has been often and
truly said that no stranger. whatever his ability.
under such limitations attain true understanding OF
the life Of large community or can even cor
recty nerpretin their causes. their relations and
meaning-many of the outward facts which fail
under his observation. Confessedy the author
came with foregone conclusion in his mind. Aside
from his observations he seems to have given open
ear and entire credence TO the street gossip of
preiudicel and inconsiderate persons. in n time of
some local disturbance and excitement The article
is characterized on almost every page by grossly
false misstatements of alleged fact. When the
statement has reference an actual fact 1t IL
monty h1if-truth put for the whole. and II Is
well known that the most erroneous impressions
are given in that manner. In a few cases where
fact Is correctly stated is set IN such light that
the Impression made ~ 1t Is commonly untrue. The
condition represented in the article is a condition
which does exist except in the authors brilliant
imagination. He makes ont his case by suppositl-
tious facts or gross exaggerations on one side and
by ignoring denying a great multitude of facts
the other side.
OF course in these days of Industrial revolution.
and in the largest cotton manufacturing town in
the country, with operatives the majority OF whom
lands. there evils to be found-n matters AFFECT
ing municipal government and administration. in
Industrial social and domestic lie. Many OF these
evils are for time inevitable, at least in par,
new generation shall have been trained and come
to maturity under our own institutions.
We do not propose to follow Mr. Hale In his con-
tnual misstatements. and correct them. II Is easy
to make charges in FIVE lines tina, can be Adequately
ton 1t Will suffice very briefly to refer to one highly
ana who ags ba Pf"Ts
the habit OF the residents in certain mill tenemen;s
1t to accumulate in the area inclosed by their tene.
ments. He omits to say that We have stringent
endeavor to enforce; that garbage carts through
every street every week; that our mill corporations
occupa ton has been TO go from one corporation
house to another in order TO enforce sanitary rules
Christian ladies make numerous calls during which
in most kindly manner they endeavor to inspire a
womens unions and working girls guilds ana clubs
Mnf nf hs has o 'f a been 0I Pac vain
regards changing the habits OF many years ac-
stands a. pump SAYS Mr. Hale The Inevitable i'm
preston is that the residents Of those houses OBJ
tain their water. and nave to obtain II. at that
pump The fact is that FOR many years the city of
Fail River has been supplied with hydrant water,
he the purest supplied to any city IN East
ern Massachusetts. and that that hydrant water
II need not surprise any that those who throw
iously overcrowed. says Mr. Hale. quite possible.
ment has been taken the occupants have often SUD-
let rooms to other parties without the consent or
nar'nn has been maj IT, f"i Of such s'ib.lctiln
has been s,outly ana persis,enty denied ''''
The impotence" affirmed by Mr.. Haze IN the tile
OF his article. and continually reafiirmei In the
many-sded. an efficient and continually benehcent
power-of the churches OF all denomnati9ns. OF
different churches and denominations working to-
gether. Many pages could be filled with Inspiring
is accomplished that is desired and attempted: prob
ably not Is aemped ,hai nigh, BE- ana ana
Masters spirit in practical NE or eihcen,ly 90 the
relations But in these things 1t Is believed that we
are not peculiar. AZ regards all such matters
cergymen In Fall River do not lack the courage OF
their convictions: their outspoken fathfuness IL
well-known In all the region.
Mr. Hale makes prominent theory. In the In
teTest OF which his article - written that In these
United States what he calls divided Church Is the
arated interests in Industry OF differing opinions
which sometimes vehement. respecting meas
ton and calamity instead of welfare That theory
There have been ages OF Christian history when the
Christian Church was one In the forms OF it's or,
sweetness and light OF purity and welfare Of rapid
ly progressing civilization Compared with those
ages. the centuries since Christianity has been rep
resented by numerous denominations have been
characterized by increasing light and welfare. by
is not to be understood as Implying that there are
no evils which have resulted from the divisions of
Christendom. But the benefits OF liberty, diversity
and vitality are more and greater.
JOHN :. BRAYTON,
President First National Bank.
LEONTINE LINCOLN.
Manufacturer of machinery.
CHARLES j. HOLMES.
Treasurer Fall River Five Cents Savings Bank.
WILLIAM r. WARNER.
Wholesale and retail merchant
WALTER &. DURFEE.
Director Fall River Manufacturers Insurance Co.
ROBERT HENRY.
Treasurer Crystal Spring Banking and Deposit Co
and exMayor.
MARCUS G. Il. SWIFT.
Lawyer.
MILTON REED.
Lawyer and x-Mayor.
T.. w. SMITH.
Rector OF the Church OF the Ascension