New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-02-17
AFRAID OF A POPULAR VOTE.
HOPELESS RESIGNATION OF PROHIBITION
PEOPLE.
DIR FUNK THINKS THAT HOME RULE WOULD
USUAL REPORTS READ AT THE

DR. FUNK THINKS THAT HOME RULE WOULD
RESULT IN OPEN SALOONS on sUNDAY-TiIE
USUAL REPORTS READ AT THE
MEETING OF THE LEAGUE
The Prohibition League. of Brooklyn. held its
usual Sunday afternoon meeting at No. olo fu''oh
81 Yesterday afternoon The secretary handed III
his report which was received in spirit Of almos.
homeless resignation by several of the prohibition
people present who saw from Its general outlines
that Mayor Wurster had still failed In his prom
se to keep the sidedoors closed. The report tod OF
between fifty and seventy-fvc places which mad
been found open yesterday morning by the leagues
agents, and the usual number of men, women ana
children who were entering with the regular
Sunday ..erowler" DR.. Funk. in commenting on me
repOri made the remark that one OF the greatest
things he feared in this prohibition question: WAS
that a vote might be taken in the near future SUD
hitting the matter OF Sunday closing to popular
vote in New-york and Brooklyn He would prefer
for his part to see vote taken on the first COM
mandnent. New-York State. he said. was greater
than any of its cities and If the proper thing were
done the so-caed up-country legislators would
never declare in favor of home rue. Home rule
mus. not be either for NewIork or brooklyn as II
would lead inevitably TO open saloons. with 'he
consequent direful results He understood tha'
Mayor Wurster said he would close the saoons IN
three or four weeks. If then, why not now, for
surely an honest Mayor would need no more time to
enforce the law than Mayor Wurster has had since
he assumed office.
4 man. who failed to give his name startled the
audience by jumping up and declaring in most
emphatic tone that he had come there on special
mission from God He ther proceeded to berate the
city officials and excorated the Mayor in harsh
terms for his complete and utter indifference 10 tne
demands OF people who loved Chrisuan SSDpa,h
The speaker frequently interrupted by ferVeht
calculations Of Amen" from various parts Oh the
- ,,--.... -.
H. NJ Randall a former Excise Commissioner at
Port jefferson said there no law on the statute
books w am saloorkeeper felt he oounu 10
respect. and never at any time did ne OBEY an eN-
else law if he did want to- Later on MI. Fuhk
referred the receip; of several letters which had
come TO him making serious charges against men
IN high station particularly certain Judge In this
city 1t was not clear what the charges were, Dut
they related to cOrnvance and tampering with the
excise laws Mr. Funk said he wished 1t puDlcy
announced that anCr ymous communications would
receive absolutely no notice from his society. In
reference to the proposed conference between the
Ssloonkcepers' Union and the Prohibition League
and allied churches Mr.. Funk said that his side
would repudiate any compromise that the saloon
keepers would try to effect in relation TO Keeping
open on Sunday. " .
Remarks were also made by H Walker. chief OF
the Good Templars of Long Island. and James
Morton of the Law Enforcement Society. MI
Walker repea ted a former assertion which had been
strictly enforced the statutes the Republicans would
lose 10000 votes in Brooklyn. which would be
thrown back TO Boss Mclaughlin. and that the
statement had been made in the presence or eX-
Mayor Scheren. but various times Mr.. Scniefen
had denied hearing it.