The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-01-06
WHAT is THEEXCUSE?
Charter Commission Criticised
From the Pulpit.
FOR ACTION AS TO THE SALOON
The Week Of Prayer to Be Observed
DIR. Lamont, Ct Olympia, Discusses
Gods Demands on Man.

BY some means II had been noised
abroad that Rev. W. H c. Temple, IN
opening his new series OF sermons On ex-
cuses at the Plymouth Congregational
church last Night, would pay his respects
10 the city charter commission for refns-
ing TO grant the demands which he had
the honor OF presenting before that body
with reference TO the way IN which the
saloon question is 10 be dealt with in the
new charter. Rumor for once spoke truly.
and Mr.. Temple shot dart OF criticism,
piercing and keen, yet winged with such
delicate tact as to ruftie uobody's sense of
propriety. He criticised. as he said. not
the men personally. but the arguments
on which Their action had been based. He
expressed himself as confident OF a re-
hearing before the commission. and as he
does not reckon without his host, the
matter may not Yet be ended. Company
d, OF the state national guard. was out
in full force, under command OF Capt.
Adams, attended the service last night and
occupied reserved seats. The company
was in full uniform and presented a hand
some and striking appearance.
The church was crowded when Mr.. Tenn
pie announced as his text the words. And
they all, with one consent, began to make
excuses" and proceeded TO a pungent dis
cussion OF the insincerfty OF excuses in
general. After explaining the parable
practical application of IL TO his audience.
Defining an excuse as a 'so-called rea-
son. ne gave an interesting etymology OF
the word sincere. showing that the Greek
equivalent signifies Judging by sunlight"
and has reference to Oriental bazaars
where goods are exposed for sale In dim
light, and If the dealer be sincere" he Will
be willing for his fares to be taken into
the sunshine and tested. Equally interest
ing Is the Latin compound from which the
English word comes, sine-cera, without
wax" special reference being had 10 the
manufacture of little statues in which
wax was used to cover up the defects.
The test of these was the heat of an oven.
where the wax quickly melted. Making
the application TO present-day excuses.
Mr.. Temple said: Are they able to stand
the light of argument? Can they bear the
heat OF the fire of faet?" After mention
ing several flimsy excuses for not being a
Christian. drawn largely from his own
pastoral notebook, he preached the sub
ject of the charter commission.
Tuesday a week ago." he said, Il had
the honor Of presenting 10 the charter
commission certain valid reasons why
certain things should be incorporated in
the new city charter. / had to go at a mo-
ments notice, without previous prepare
ton, but presented the subject as best I
could. What we asked was very simple:
made to expire at one time; second. that a
provision should be incorporated in the
license itself that the saloon should not be
open on the Sabbath: third. that the sa-
looms should be closed from IL o'clock
every night until O'Clock next morning.
This was the extent OF our request. We
did not go before the commission as pro-
hibitionists. though some of US at heart
were prohibitionists. Our demands were
moderate and reasonable, and we asked
for only sucn provisions as are embodied
IN other city charters.
What was our surprise TO learn that
the whole matter had been ditched and
that nothing had been done except 10 cor
rect a mere grammatical error IN the old
charter so as TO make the meaning clear
er. Now. have no criticism for the men,
bers of the charter commission personally
| never indulge In personalities, and IL any
member of the commission be present to-
night, I wish him TO understand that | do
not criticise him personally. The COM
mission. I understand, is composed of
seven Republicans. four Populists and four
Democrats. good enough distribution
though l think five OF each party would
have been better. I have looked over the
membership carefully. and have nothing
70 say against any man on the commits
sion.
'I must say, however, that I was sur
prfsed at the arguments used by the
members OF the commission IN rejecting
our requests. I should Ike to see i YER
batim report Of that entire debate In print
I think Il would make interesting read
ing One OF the arguments advanced was
that licenses ought not all to expire al
the same time, for fear of giving the rum
dealers a chance TO mass their forces.
How must we lock at that argument in the
fight Of a point made later on that II
would not 90 TO form the charter in the
interest Of any particular class?
Then there was the argument that we
have no need to engraft such provisions
n the city law. because they are already
embodied in the state law; just as though
Il would not he the wisest thing 20 incor-
uorate them into the city law also
Ridicullng these arguments, Mr.. Temple
beeRed that the commission would give
the LIQUOR dealers. and not the better class
80 Of citizens the laboring oar. Il under
stand" he said, that there Is TO be re-
hearing OF this question, and l believe
that when these gentlemen come 10 con-
slider II calmly and deliberately. they VIII
grant what we ask.
The latter part OF his sermon was taken
m with the testing Of insincere excuses.
and an earnest appeal 70 the people rem
ouesting them 10 fling them aside and
come 10 Christ