The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-07-03
MR.. DONY HAS RETIRED
Practice Of Prosecuting Minor Cases Will Be
Abandoned
PASTORS union PLANS CHANGED
Executive Committee to Be Enlarged
and viii Include Only Business Men.
Mr.. Dony Takes Exception to His
Critics-Line of Work to Be Fol-
lowed in Future-Mr. Sturges'
Position in the Matter.

OoitlOH biiC NiolNSIs
AT o meeting of the Pastors union
Yesterday Rev. f. A. Douy resigned
from the executive committee and will
no more fgnre rs the chief prosecutor
against violators OF the Sabbath obser.
vance laws. In fact Mr.. DOny's resig-
nation was the iorerunner Of an almost
complete change in the personnel of
the committee which in the future will
forward the Sunday closing movement
on an entirely different plan than that
followed during the nast two months.
For several weeks E B Sturges, Of
the committee. aud several members of
the union have made known their dis
appreciation OF the course pursued by
Mr.. Dony His spirit and meaning
have not be5n questioned, but fault has
been found because of his movements
against druggists, cigar dealers, bakers.
etc, when other and gr0Sser violations
Of the Law also existed.
HIS WISDOM QUESTIONED.
At yesterdays meeting Mr.. Sturges
announced that whilo not questioning
Mr.. Dony's Christian spirit TO do good.
he did question his wisdom in prose-
cutting the many cases Of the past two
months. Mr.. SLurgeS said the work
must either be fought along other lines
or he would have TO retire from any
executive position in tue matter.
Following the request Of Colonel H.
NJ. Boies, of the executive committee,
that the committee be- increased TO
twenty five mem bers, Rev. n. +. Stahl
and George G. MahY, were appointed
by Rev. Warren G. Partridge president
of the union, as a committee, to select
and submit seventeen additional names
provided all are willing to serve.
Mr. Dony concluded his remarks on
the present status OF the movement by
taking exception to the manner in
which he had been criticized. He
thought it should have been shown
more clearly in what particular way
he had shown poor judgment. He re-
minded the meeting that he and his
work had been endorsed by the recent
Wyoming Methodist conference, by
the Association OF Methodist minis.
ters OF Scranton, and, he was happy, to
say, had received the approval and
support of the Pastors union.
Mr.. DoNY's RESIGNATION ACCEPTED.
The resignation Of Mr. Dony, which
had been submitted two meetings
previous, was accepted. This was fol-
lowed by the adoption of set of reso-
lutions conveying the approval Of sub
mitting tho work to a committee OF
business men and acknowledging in
debtedness to Mr.. Dony.
The committee on the Moody meet
ings during the month Of September
consists Of Rev. DR.. l.. c. Floyd, Rev.
w. G. Partridge, Rev. N F. Stahl. J..
H. Lansing, c. F. Whittemore, Louis
Mates and Giles Clark. 1t will be
necessary to raise 81, 500 at once and
there will be other expenses. The
committee was directed to proceed
with the work and the pastors will al
once lay the matter before the churche
to secure financial aid.
Mr.. Dony. whose resignation from
the executive committee In nowise af-
fects his mem bsrship in the union was
seen at his residence by TRIBUNE re.
porter last evening. In addition to
substantiating what is recorded above
he said that there were persons con-
nected with the movement who had
made mistake in finding fanlt with
what had been done.
"They think they know certain con-
ditions Of the work" )" he said, "but on
the contrary their ignorance is remark
able-on this subject, Everything has
been well under way until last Sun.
day, when, I must admit, the work
was somewhat demoralized.
APPROVES THE IDEA.
Il approve Of the idea of having the
executive committee composed entirely
Of business men and was one of the
first to advocate it. My resignation
was neither asked or sought; it was
merely TO leave the matter entirely tc
laymen who can best raise funds to
continue the work.
e. B. Sturges was interviewed by the
reporter at his home on North Wash
ington avenue. He said he did moi
wish to be placed in position Of
thwarting work which was woeful
necessity in Scranton.
II have announced" said Mr..
Sturges, lin meetings of the Union
that l could not support or be identi-
fed even by name with such a move
ment If guided with methods l be.
lieved to be wrong. Mr. Dony is 9
Christian geotleman Of undoubted
fidelity and well-meaning. but gross
mistake is made in prosecuting minor
cases when grosser and more harmful
evils exist.
1T has been said, by Mr.. Dony, be.
lievt, that liquor dealer cannot be
convicted. He can be convicted, and
many will agree with me who recall
the great Sunday reform brought
about in this city years ago. at Il time
when u prize fight on Lackawanna
avenue was not an infrequent occur
ance. If every member OF the enlarged
executive committee, whether there be
ten or twenty-five members, has hii
conscience in the work aud goes in t
win and with the determination never
TO give up, success will follow"
BLANK Cartridges to be had for the com.
ing Fourth ut DAvIpow BRos