The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1897-10-19
EARLY CLOSING ORDINANCE.
Pastor Shnms Criticises the Method by
Which it Was Suspended.


Quite sensation was created Sunday
night when Rev. DR.. Simms, pastor OF
the Tabernacle church, in the course of
sermon on "Oid Fashion Religion"
made reference to the action of the
Board of Aldermen in allowing the sa-
looms to remain open all night during
Fair week.
He said that wrong had been done to
the Christian manhood and sentiment of
this city and State in the action of Sec
retary Nichols in bringing the influence
of his executive committee to bear
against the early closing ordinance.
lie went before this Board of Alder
men in the capacity of secretary and
not as an individual. He went as
representative of the ex-
petition for the early-closing ordi-
nance. BY this other Christian
men in different parts of the State
who cannot get together are put in the
position of endorsing this sa0on-opening
business. On this committee are DIR.
Taylor, DR.. Alderman, DIR. KiIgo. DIR.
Smedes, DIR. Dinwiddie, Mr.. n. B.
Broughton and others noted for their
Christian piety.
1T is a reflection on the Christianity
of the town and these men are going to
be held responsible. They must protest
against their influence being put to such
| ignoble use.''
AT the conclusion of DIR. Simms' re-
marks, Mr.. n. Il. Broughton arose and
thanked him for the stand he had taken.
| lie said he was out of town when the
| action was taken by the Board: that on
| his return he went to see President Bat
| tie and was told that it had been done
| without any action by the executive
| committee.
i am going to wash my hands of the
whole thing if I'm to be duped in this
! way"
MIR. NICHOLS STATEMENT.
Secretary Nichols last night gave to
the press the following signed state
ment:
| The many publications made in the
newspapers and statements from some of
the pulpits in reference to the alleged
connection of the State Fair authorities
with extension Of the hour of closing
the saloons in the city, make il proper
| that should state the facts about this
matter.
| The officers, Of the Fair, outside of NV
| self, had nothing TO do with the matter.
and not one Of them knew, much less
consented or advised, my going before
the Board of Aldermen. Neither did I
go before the Board of Aldermen at the
request of any saloon keeper in the city
or Raleigh. ! was invited to appear he
fore the Board by one of its members TO
make statement as to the liberality Of
some or the saloon keepers in subscribing
10 fund TO pay premiums and prevent
the possible removal of the State Foir
from Raleigh, some two years ago. NV
remarks before the Board were correctly
reported IN the News and Observer the
morning after the meeting.
This statement was also made 10 the
pastor of the church who has said SO
much about the matter in a. letter to
him, copy OF which / retained, and
after that letter / was surprised to see
the statement made in an evening paper
that Pastor Smms stated that Mr.
Nichols said when he appeared before
the Board that he made the appeal for
Ithe opening Of the saloons at the request
OF the executive committee
Il SAID nothing Of the kind, and In
my letter to DIR. Simms told him so.
How he should have made the statement
reported, and the apparent question of
fact which may arise therefrom. leave
the people of Raleigh to pass upon.
Il desire to repeat, that not single
member of the Fair authorities knew Of
my going before the Board. 1t was my
own act and alone am responsible for
it,"