The herald., 1898-02-20
MISGUIDED MINISTERS

Seventy-four Philadelphia ministers
of the gospel have just finished a high
ly "successful'' investigation of the
slums of that great city, finding just
what they set out to find and what they
would have been greatly disappointed
in not finding-vice and degradation in
unlimited quantities, both of the plain
and ornamental variety, under the gas
| light and behind screens. They found in
the pious city just what Editor Stead
uncovered in London and Chicago; what
the Parkhurst summers dragged out
into the light of day in Gotham, and
what Wilson and his coadjutors re-
veaed here in the city of the Angels.
without adding much to the sum of hu
man knowledge. and are now preach
ing about what they witnessed as if it
We're a revelation. and that they were
the appointed instruments of heaven to
wipe out the blot upon civilization. And
in extenuation of their own fault in par
taking of the forbidden fruit. they make
the stereotyped plea, so familiar to all,
that they wanted to see the whole thing
themselves and not take their informa-
ton second hand"
We greatly fear the net result of this
latest ministerial crusade will not be
helpful to the cause of morality. We
are inclined to the opinion that the ex-
ample they have set will be baneful in
it's influence upon the youth of Phila-
dclphia. We shall not be surprised to
hear of Junior expeditions into the slums,
as a consequence, composed of incredu-
lous boys, unwilling, also, to accept as
conclusive the findings of their elders.
~
The Canadian Pacific and Northern
Pacific have inaugurated a passenger
rate war which promises to involve all
of the American lines engaged in trans
continental traffic. and which is likely to
prove an important factor in stimuat-
ing travel to the northwest The reduc-
tons already announced, and which are
effective at once. average 80 per cent
but these are likely to be still further
knocked down the moment the lines CEN
tering in Chicago decide to meet them
as they must do or go out of business
while they prevail. The cutting of the
first-class rate of $79.35 to $40 from At
| lantic to Pacific ports, and the second
class rate from S67.40 to $50, will add
thousands to the army of pilgrims
marching in this direction.
~
The governor has issued an order that
on Monday the nations flag shall float
at half-mast over all public buildings in
California out of respect for the gallant
seamen OF the American navy who were
sepulchered in the grim hull of the
cruiser Maine. The official suggestion is
both patriotic and timely, but is worthy
OF broader application. County and
municipal authorities and loyal citizens
generally should spontaneously indorse
the sentiment Of the executive order by
everywhere lowering the colors in re-
spect to the memory of the heroic dead
---~~----
BY the use Of the wrecking boat Ar
gonaut, now being prepared for service
in Havana harbor. it is said the govern
ment commission can be taken under the
hull of the Maine, and shown, by means
of electric lights, the effects of the eX-
plosion, if not the cause. This is not
improbable. though it is somewhat
startling suggestion of the progress
made in submarine exploration in late
years.
Los Angeles ciearings for the week
show the handsome increase Of 54.7 per