The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-02-27

'''~ ''~SN'''to ~ t-' ''oNISI 'SNo ~
the Point-Scripture Misquoted by
w. W. Lathrop-Not a Lot Of
Modes" to Fight A Petition
demonstrating Against Saloons.
In response to general call for a
meeting Of Thirteenth ward citizens to
protest against the re-graptinG of a
liquor license to John Horn, 1886 Dick
son avenue, and three new licenses, II
good sized audience gathered in the
Asbury Methodist Episcopal church
last night The features OF the meet
ing were number Of religO.politco
speeches which had little, if any. bear
lug on the purpose of the meeting and
the speech of Rev. Frank Schell Bal.
lentine,
The latter's talk was to the effect
that too much buster and too little
business were evidenced, and brought
down Misses from ono portion of the
house aud faint applause from the
other.
The meeting was opened by A. G.
Thomson. Those who spoke We're
Rev W. J. Ford. w. W. Llthrop,
Miner C. Carr, G. L. Hawley, R. W.
Kellow, j. L, Hangi and Rsv F. S.
Ballentine. With the possible excsp-
tion Of Mr.. Hawley and Rev. Mr..
B4llentine, one uninitiated would in-
fer that the gathering came together
for the purpose OF expressing individ
ual views on religion and prohibition
generally.
Mr. HAwLEY's PRACTICAL TALK.
Mr.. Hawley really opened the meet
ting by an outspoken talk, free from
Bible quotations, bat replete with
practical ideas which seem cd TO meet
the approval Of goodly portion of the
audience.
There was a climax of excitement
when Rev. Mr.. Balentine took excsp.
lions, apparently, to the moaning of
Mr.. Hawley's remarks, and in sub
stance told the audiencs they were on
the wrong tack. and offered his views
as to how the saloon evil should be
eliminated from Green Ridge.
Mr.. Hawley introduced his remarks
by saying that there would be - lit
tie plain language from truthful
James" The gentlemen who had pre-
cesded him, he said, had been too deli
cate in their ideas; yet no didn't want
the audience to be like the farmer who
prayed for rain, aud when a deluge
came said, "Oh. Lord, this is not what
| wanted; | only wished a wishy.
washy, dri2zly drazzly sort of rain.
There was nc use in miucing matters /,
the audience should cure the evil by
going to its fountain -head-the ballot.
The Thirteenth ward has had u yearly
remonstrance excitement for twenty
five years. which would continue for
twenty-five years to come, unless the
beginning of the evil was cured, the
same as q doctor cures disssses-at its
source. The audience really. he said,
had no moro business to suppress the
saloon element in Green Ridge than it
had at Pine Brook or any other local.
ity, Yet, said Mr.. Hawley, will sign
by name to the remonstrance.
PROPOSITIONS PRESENTED.
He presented four propositions and
challenged contradiction: First. John
Horn and his business are no worse
than the license he holds; second, the
license is no worse than the law which
allows it; third the law is no worse
than the legislature which makes it;
fourth. the legislature is no worse than
the men who compose it. The voters
cast ballots twice a year TO keep the
saloons going and meet once year
to demonstrate against their own bal
lots. They demonstrate to forget what
they have done
The sentiments expressed by Mr..
Hawley brought forth the plaudits of
his hearers and ev0ry ybody seemed
enthused.
Just then it came time for Rev. Mr.
Ballsntine's inning. and that gentle.
man threw off all supsrhuous santi.
ments and got down to plain business
discourse for which the religo politico
element was unprepared and which,
though the only practical talk of the
evening, was greeted at one point with
his6es and ended with no evidence OF
approval.
Mr.. Ballentine said that the enemies
they had to fight were among the most
influential citizens of the, ward, men who
knew more about religion or politics
than many who had quoted Scripture
in the meeting. Among those gontle-
men is one Of the brightest lawyers of
the state or county; another is a mem
Der Of one Of the most successful legal
firms in the city, one OF the building
committee which constructed the
church where last nights meeting was
held, one of the, if not the, leading
members of that church; another lived
one block from the mestiug and was q
member OF the Presbyterian Church
auctner lived in house on Sandersou
avenue, the most costly in the city
'Thess men. ne said, are not 'no1les
They are OF the most intelligent,
brightest and successful Of the citizens
of Scranton. They, and the granting OF
the licenses which they recommended
must be met in business may. No
'wisby-washy' tactics, such as heard at
the meeting will thwart their purpose.
SHOULD FOLLOW E. b. sTURGEs.
The speaker said that T. B. Sturges
who 10 now abroad, had In the past
kept the saloon evil ont Of the ward
In his absence the citizsns should fol
low his example. MIR Sturgss want
about it in business way, spent money
If necessary, and paid money for s
house-to-houss canvas, Hs also used
his personal influence.
The meeting had been captursl he
said, by Prohihitionis.s, who would
attract the evil instead Of driving il
away. Putting the outside part, OF
tho question in the background. tbs
present purpose Of the citizsns was to
fight the licenses applet for. The
meeting should get down to business
aud not make a big noiss and thsr
consider its mission ended, An ergan
ization should be effected and agent,
paid If necessary to do the work.
At this point someone hissed th,
signal was taken up and Kisses AM
a