New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-01-20

PROTESTANT FINED AND y ROMAN
CATHOLIC ACQUITTED.

,ruyy EACH VIOLATE 4 BOARD OF HEALTH
ORDINANCE REGARDING THE HOLDING OF
CONGRATULATIONS At OYSTER BAY.
Owing 10 the prevalence Of scarlet fever in the
village of Huntington the Board of Health of Oys-
ter, Bay OF which Huntington is a part passed an
order week ago Friday that no public gatherings
o. any kind be held until the danger had passed.
The order was made TO include churches and
week ago yesterday the different pastors were In
formed that they must no; hold services on Sunday
All obeyed this order except two. The disobedient
ones were the Rev. c. q. Wrgh,man, of the Bap
fist Church and Father Crowley. OF the Catholic
Church In the churches OF both these ministers
services were he'd although they were slimly' at
tended tesause of the general understanding that
there would be no services
The holding of the services in violation Of the
Health Board order caused some i'll feeling against
the ministers. but this appeased when it be-
came known that both clergymen were to be called
on 10 show why they should not be fined for their
act. Mr. Wrightrnan was the first summoned, and
on Thursday he fined $50 There consider
able interest in the town to what plea Father
Crowley would set up excuse for his action
Yesterday afternoon. to the surprise of every one.
and despite the fact that Father Crowley openly ad-
united all the facts. he was acquitted
This decision created something of a sensation IN
the town. and the members Of the Health I'o''u
last night were trying to explain away WHAT "p
pears be q peculiar action on their part.
When the Baptist minister was BEFORE 'ne ood'u
Judge Augustin. counsel for the Doaro, na
strong plea 10 have the minister punisheu' ies'ei
day afternoon when Father Crowley was called on
10 defend himself he made no denial OF the facts
in the case hut admitted he had held services on
Sunday. although he had received the boards no.
tce not to do So He said there were about seventy
FIVE members of his congregation in the church AS
to the holding OF the services he advanced nothing
to mitigate the offence except lack OF time be-
tween the receiving OF the notice and the time for
the holding OF services.
Mr. Stoddard. who appeared for Father Crowley.
although his counsel, said that his wife was
in charge OF the Catholic Sunday-school and had
used every effort to have the children stay away
from church Judge Stenert who yesterday appear
ed AS counsel for the board had nothing to Judge
Augustn, who was also present and who ives at
hsksye which Is sOn a Sah0e she
board and urged that Father Crowley be held blame
wbether he was guilty or innocent This suggestion
was al acted upon. and by a ballot of 4 to
The three members who had voted in what, APP
reared to be the consistent manner were dunn
had been Of mind when Mr.. Wrghtman was
When the news of the ,acquttal Of the priest
reached oyster Bay much indignation1 wa, was e s
pressed and there was tax qI GeSs the
The Rev MIR Wrightman when seen said he could
Father Crowley. whose violation OF the order was
exactly similar. should be voted not guilty he
sreMey TaT must have been equally guilty for
he did the very same thing did. was shown by
his own admissions before the board"
The Rev Mir Russell. q the PRESBYTERIAN Church
declared the action OF the board was an outrage
and said there seemed TO be no good and valid rea-
for such Partially He did not wish TO SAY say
anything about the den JminatiOnal influences which
might have brought the affair about, but as man TO
man. the board. he thought, was clearly IN the
or
Town Clerk Knapp who present in his ON
cal capacity. told Supervisor Underhin after me
meeting in the presence Of the crowd when gain
cred about the angry dlspu.ants. that the board
reef rot expect 10 have any its orders obeyed in
tie future and that 4; would be hard to enforce
even the commonest ru.es.
The members OF the board present at the meeting
ere Supervisor Cnderhil;. Justice AuSustin. Jus
. Waite. Justice Kctcn3T. Town Clerk knapp
Justice Billings AMI Mr. Ketcham who H. not an
ofice-hofcer UnicTaill Augastin. Philip ketcham
AM White voted 10 aceui; the priest.
i, movement started last evening 10 carry the
rrou,i taat the fnlng Of Mr.. Wrghtman
'1'm.,.ce II n man who confessed himself guilty is
:, be acquitted.