New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-01-31
SELECTIONS FROM THE MAIL
WHY SHOULD MINISTER'S BE DEAD
HEADS?


HEADS?
THEY SHOULD RECEIVE no PASSES FOX With
THEY RENDER no EQUIVALENT SERVICES.
To the Editor OF The Tribune
Sir: do 70; hope to make myself understood
by the Rev. Mr.. Hoyt. who. in this morning
Tribune, rises In defence OF the eleven c'ergy"eh
out of twelve who don't lend or sell their Tree
railroad passes. And still. 1t does seem 10 me 'ha'
even with his obtuseness on the real moral aspect
OF the case he must see the righteousness vi MS
admission that the railroad companies not only
have the names OF all the clergymen VINO ACCEPT
their courtescs but have given every clergy
man a number" Inasmuch this Is an honor
conferred by railroad officials on distinguished
citizens. why would it not be n good plan 10 iur
nish a numbered badge to each recipient hat ne
may carry his honors bravely and not oe ooiseu
to SHOW his ticket? Then II would be easy 10
distinguish between deadhead ministers ana '"o'e
who pay their way like other men,
Peter Cooper once said, as encouragement 10
Young men, 81 have made Il the rule OF my ire
never to receive anything from the woriu 'o'
which did not render an equivalent IN some io''"
OF service" often quote that saying 10 Houi's
men whose backbones I would stnen. for thhK
Il an excellent tonic for weak knees and irreso-
lutte purpose And. in view OF 1t, would ask
what form Of service" cergymen a. n class-,he
numbered class. well as the unnuinVereu-
render to the railroad companies TO entitle tneHi
to free rides when other people have TO pay! Inc
Rev DR.. Coyer touched this question very nicely
when he instructed the usher TO give Mr.. BarnuW
a seat In his pew-whch was a good one-"be-
cause" added ne. Mr.. Barnum always gives me
the best In his circus" Now II II be true
that Mr. Hoyt and the other numbered clergy
men give 10 the railroad magnates free passes 10
their churches in exchange for free passes on
railroads. have nothing TO That Is business
and does aside Peter Coopers divine rule.
But, after all. why shouldn't n Clergy man De u
man? Why should he so willingly consent TO 80
through the world with his hat chaked 10 b. the
recipient OF courtesies and concessions that othr
men would spurn? our clergymen are our hlgh
moral teachers. and have no right 10 make them
selves exceptions TO the rules they promulgate Tor
guidance.
Mr. Hoyt alludcs to the work OF the Lexow COM
mttee as an awakoner OF public conscience. ana
adds I'VE have no place In the Church Tor MINIS
ters who fail to practise the high morality OF the
GOSPEL they preac h.' Suppose the IPNow
Committee were empowered TO get from railroad
companies the names Of all the clergymen who hold
their papers and the reasons therefor. Would MI
Hoyt like to be published In the list friend AT
my elbow asks what Interior purpose can rail-
pass, Something like that asked concerning
the 500 100 which Jay Gould handed over TO super
intend,nt Byrncs. The answer r. Gould
gave Ryrnes 800 GEO because he loved him. and the
railroad companies issue free passes TO ministers
because they ferl pious and cannot help H.
No no. The moral turpitude IL not in lending or
selling free railroad passes. but in accepting them
At least. that Is my opinion.