The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-09-24
law AND MORAL SUASIoN.
Drv. MIR. ANTHONY ON THEIR REL
ALIVE ADVANTAGES AS APP
Piled To GAMING.

WaginE for the suppression of
Gambling and sss Attendant Evils.
The Mayor Taken ROundIy to
TasIx-The Preacher Defines the
Finht, Not as an Effort to Have
the city Single Out a Particular
Evil Against Which to Wage War,
But to Prevent an Evil Singled Out
IA BE Let Severely Alone.
Rev. Bascom Anthony, pastor of Trinity
Methodist Church. whose sermons on the
evils that invite and allure the young men
of savannah, have of late been attracting
much attention. gave utterance yesterday
70 pungent answer to the criticisms made
Nv Mayor Myers in reference to the course
he had pursued.
Rev. Mr.. Anthonys attention was
called to some of the Mayor $
recent interviews, in which the head of the
city government outlined his policy on
the allied subjects of gambling and the
laws regulating, or attempting to regulate
the sale of liquor. The manner in which
these laws have been enforced has been
the subject of one or more sermons from
Mr.. Anthony, and it was known that his
views and those of the Mayor were at
complete variance. When asked what he
thought of Mr.. Myers views, Mr.. Anthony
said;
If had anything against him, 1 would
saw with Job of old, %, that mine enemy
would write a book. II seems to me that
the Trjshmans criticism of his friend. when
he said, Every time he opens his mouth
he puts his foot in it, applies in this case"
Mr. Anthony's attention was called to
+no ha1 az
mol consider it the duty of the city gov
eminent nor of himself TO make a special
~ of the suppression of any one form of
evil. The preacher interrupted:
On he's right as to that. AS he is
sworn to enforce the law impartially ne
cannot consistently single out an evil for
suppression, to the neglect of the others.
But that is not what some of us are pro-
testing against. Our complaint is that
some evils are singled out to be let alone,
and these we don't want let alone. There
Is no reason why petty thieves and boys
with sljng-shots should be ferreted out,
while policy shops gambling dens and
barrooms are exempt from such processes.
The complaint is not that the authorities
single out some things TO punish, because
we do not think that Is the case. but that
some evils seem to have immunity from
punishment"
DO you propose to adopt the sugges ion
Of the Mayor and make cases against those
volators of the Jaw. of whose violations
YOU have personal knowledge" Mr.. An
thony was asked
NO, sir. AS a citizen, am ready at any
time to aid the officers of the law in the
execution of their duty, but when it final
~ reaches the point where l am called up
on TO do what they are said to do-and
neglect-then 1 must respectfully decline
These men are paid, and paid WELL to do
this work, and for them to sit around and
Plead ignorance of the facts and call upon
private citizens to show them how to Go
their own work is childish If the health
officers pursued that policy, they would not
hold their jobs two days. That's because
the precious lives and yet more precious
pocketbooks of the people are involved
but when it comes to the morals of the
people, that, of course, is of no conse-
quence. A neglect of duty that costs money
will not be tolerated. but a neglect of duty
thar corrupts morals and ruins and de-
grades the youth of the city is all right. If
! could only change these young people
into pointer dogs. Jersey cows, or golden
eagles, measures for their protection woult
be prompt and effective
What have you to say of the Mayors
criticism of you for expelling so many
members of your church,
Not a word. My dolngs and sayings are
open TO criticism. 1t is simply question
of judgment. The Mayors judgment
teaches him faith in moral suasion, ana
he seems to be trying to manage the pol
ley shops, gambling houses and barrooms
On that basis, while my Judgment informs
me that one who deliberately and repeat
eddy violates law, deserves the penalty OF
the law. If the Mayor viii adopt my the
ory, l think he will find himself able to
put an end to all of this lawlessness in SIX
weeks. As he has tried moral suasion for
nine months, so far as l can see with no
very glitterng success, he might try my
method for a while, as an experiment, and
| venture to promise that if he does, there
will be more certain and tangible results.
The suggestion, as Mr.. Lincoln said OF the
rat hole will bear looking into. And there
is bit of rhyme that comes now into my
mind and seems to cover the case:
Mental suasion for the man who thinks,
Moral suasion for the man who drinks,
Legal suason for the drunkard maker,
Prison suasion for the statute breaker.
Did you see" Mr.. Anthony was asked,
THAT the Mayor says he believes politics
Is at the bottom of all the agitation that is
now in progress?"
oh yes, but it would be assuming too
much to suppose that he meant an that
Tor the preachers. However, | will make
this proposition. l offer to make solemn
aihdavit, that, so far as the clergy IS con-
'erned, there is not the slightest bit OF
polucs in their efforts to have the law
enforced. if Mr.. Myers will make like af-
Hdavit that there is no politics in the pres
'hl syst m OF non-enforcement. That as
lair proposition as I can make. Person
any, | would not know The gentleman If
should see him on the streets, and hence
can have no motive for dishking him. On
me contrary two of my stewards were
tlecl ed aldermen on his ticket and are now
serving with him. They are among my best
men and WdrmeSt friends
50 far as We are concerned, there is no
poItics. Ii Mr.. Myers will faithfully en-
lojca the law, he via find the clergy
among his warmest supporters, and in that
event not the least yea Gus and devoted of
that band will be myself"