Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-10-20
MUST MAINTAIN HARMONY
Suggestion Respecting Street Meetings Held
by Religious Organizations.
Complaint of Central Union Mission
Answered by X. l.. Fletcher
Police Report.

In the matter of the complaint recently
filed with the District. Commissioners by
Mr. o. Z. Brown, chairman of the board of
directors of the Central Union Mission, that
the street meetings of the mission had
been interrupted at the corner of 7th and
Market space by various street preachers,
who also conducted religious services at
the same place, Major Sylvester. the chief
OF police. to whom the Commissioners
ferred the complaint, has made a report.
He recommends that if these religious
meetings cannot be conducted without their
coming into conflict with each other and
making police interference necessary, the
promoters Of such meetings should not be
be permitted to enjoy the privileges and
protection heretofore granted them.
This recommendation of the chief of po-
lice the Comm ssioners have approved.
1t will be recalled that, as was stated in
The Star at the time Mr. Brown charged
that a Mr. Morgan frequently interfered
with the mission meetings by driving
one-horse wagon within less than 100 feet
Of the gospel wagon managed by the Cen
trail Union people. and commencing service
by singing. with organ accompaniment.
while the service on the gospel wagon
in progress. and causing great confusion
and absolutely destroying the good impress
sions that might have been produced. He
further suggested that the taking of a col
lection at street religious meetings be pro-
hibited- Mr.. Brown stated that Mr.. Nor
gan takes up a collection for personal uses,
and characterized that as a species of beg
gfng. He expressed the belief that such
religious meetings are not only unneces-
Sary. but detrimental to the cause of Chris
tianlty.
Nr- E1etcher's Commune cation.
On behalf of Mr. Morgan. Mr.. R. l..
Fletcher wrote the municipal authorities
as follows:
The real objection l candidy think, to
the Morgan family's religious services on
the street is their popularity, owing to the
fact that they outclass the mission in the
matter of attractive talent. Mrs Morgan
being diStinctively a musical celebrity and
Mr.. Morgan beng a learned man and q
most effective platform orator.
Il cited a fact before in another commu-
nication, which will bear repetition here.
that ii Is rather remarkable. if not alto
gether lndefensible. that the Central Union
Mission board should call for police inter-
ference with this family for enjoying the
same privileges which they have enjoyed
with impunity for fifteen years-street
preaching from gospel wagon
The president of the board complains
that on last Sunday night Mr.. Morgan be-
gan services on the opposite SIDE of the
street while their services were still in
progress. If so. it Is probably the first
time that this thing has occurred during
the past year. Mr.. Morgan has always been
very cOnSiderate of the rights of the mis-
sion people CnnSCientiOusly seeking TO
avoid clash But did Rev. Mr.. Morgan in
doing this violate any municipal law?
You have probably seen three or four meet
ingS rum ng on this square at the same
hour during the past summer Besides 1
would most respectfully ask if all the priv
neges Of holding street meetings belong ex-
CluS-Vc!y to the Central Union Mission
board q say board in dist nction from
mission, for I am creIitably informed that
the board is about all that remains of what
was once a popular and useful mission)
L cited also in a former communication
the fact that Mr.. Morgan's privileges had
been narrowed down by police regulation
to the use Of Market space. Mr.. Morgan
would. l think, he satisfied with and could
hold successful meetings on any prominent
thoroughfare Of the city.
The street collection objection is not
original with the honOred president Of the
mission board. Its utter lack of merit or
ingenuity only shows the ludicrOus shift
some are put to in manufacturing and null
tipiyIng objections in defense of the posi-
ton they assume. 1t IS what the Salvation
Army. an institution honored through
out ChristeHdom for the good they have ac-
cOmpiished IS doing today daily in almost
every city in the civilized world. But I am
not making a plea for the Salvation Army.
with their drums and horns. and often. de-
graded ditties, but for a family with
marked pety and refine ment, whose music
in the religious services IS led by lady
who will rank as a musician with any must-
cal professor In this capital city of the ma
ton. And yet the president of the Central
Union Mission board calls. through the
public press. for police interference with
their work Shame upon such conduct I
have said nothing in anger or ill-feeing
as the mission folks are my friends and
| would seek to defend them II they were
being wrOnged. But in this instance they
are. l believe. in the wrong, and are sub
jenting themselves TO the ugly suspicion II
using the police to further their own selfish
personal ends"