The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1898-03-17
LOCAL MINISTERIAL AL
LANCE ACTIVE,
VISIT SPORTING PLACES
And Accumulate Evidence 20 Present to
the Grand Jnsy Terrific Roast OF
Theatricais By One Divine-Proin-
inent Business Man AuEry
AZ the Preachers In
reference

The local ministerial alliance has
been unusually active during the past
few days, much TO the disc)mitnre OF
hosts Of alleged local evii-doers. As
foreshadowed ia The Leader recently,
the alliance has been collecting evil
dence 10 present to the grand jury
which convenes today.
Last night members Of the alliance
made the rounds OF saloons and sport.
ing resorts, and apparently enjoyed
the diversion. Most all the saloons
we're visited, but no evidence was OBJ
tanned that saloon men we're violating
the law to great extent.
At ReAves' Casino the ministers were
surprised at the mild form Of amuse-
ment. Said one preacher:
From what / saw tonight the So
called honk-a-tonk is no worse than
the average theatre. We're IL removed
from gambling and drinking connec
tions, it could bs no worse am ab
soiutely opposed to theRtricals of all
kinds, and would vote TO expel any
member OF my flock who would attend
a show. Stage performances are de-
moralizing At Reaves Bros, under
stand they have frowsy- headed female
pards selling beer. but tonight | saw
none. However, think they were in
the boxes. la my opinion man
DOESN'T lose his seli-respeet any more
in camping FIVE hours at the honk-
toBk than he would at any other
theatre"
Are you opposed to home theatri-
cals?' asked the Leader man OF the
divine.
81 am, most emphatically," replied
the minister They are not uch
better than professional shows We
have had several so-called home talent
plays in Guthrie since ] came here two
years ago. but they have done nothing
10 ele yRte the tone of the city"
II is understood that the preachers
will 20 before the grand jury aud
present some evidence covering gam.
bling, bawdy houses, etc. A numb Der
of city officials will be asked to appear
before the jury and tell what they
know.
The action OF the ministers in tax.
ing a hand in municipal reform mas
created much feeling in the city among
officials and business men.
One prominent business man was
very forcible in expressing his views
yesterday. Said he ~ think this
thing OF our preachers chasing in and
out OF saloons, dives, etc, in the hope
of securing evidence TO convict some
poor devil Is all poppycock. II
makes me tired | am church.
goer and give as much to the
church rs the next one; | also paw
large taxes, and have right 10 kick.
do kick, but not on the city. This
town is as good as any other town OF
Since Judge Burflrd's timely criticism
the colored courtesans have left the
town. Now all is qliet The saloons
are all right Why, haven't beard OF
hght in saloon for months Go
upon the streets OF this town after 6
o'clock at nigbt-ii looks like grave
yard. There isn't enough excltemen'
or business to keep tramp awake
The saloons II they do any evil do y
IN the daytime, not nt nlgh'. No s r
am opposed TO the ministers OF The
gospel stirring mp strife. The CITY
will suffer TEN oorRrily and the preach
ers will suffer ia the eni. | don't ex'
netlY believe in q vile open town. bui
/ do believe certain amount OF spor
Is necessary TO the towns welfare.
advise the preachers TO go slow
don't think there is enough evidence
for the grand j1rv to base many in.
dictments on, aud unless all alleged
evil doers are indicted there will bt
tuvmoil without end. Let the preach
ers let up and leave the city alone"