The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-11-10
Both Object to Ministers TAX
ing Part in Politics.
USE THE AUDITORIUM.
Plan Is to Hold Services There
on Sunday.
Mr.. Hagan Is Bitter Because Of
Action Of Preachers.

and of the people.
Already several prominent men
whose families belong to church have
signified their willingness to contribute
quite literally to the support of the pro-
ject,'' said Sam Radges. one of the or
iginators of the plan.
The sermons would not be of a doc
trinaI nature; would not deal with
dogmas and creeds but would on the
other hand be the teachings of the Bible
from a Bible standpoint.
THE sermons would be on some line
of theology broad and expansive; it
would be g, liberal theology but the min
lister would only talk of religion in the
pulpit.
Il think" said Mr. Radges, that
when the ministers in the various
churches begin to bring politics into the
church 1t is an outrage on the cOngre-
cation, and that it is time for some one
to begin the work of preaching the Cos
pei. And this is the sentiment of a
great many of the church going men of
the city who are willing to subscribe to
the support of a minister who will con-
fine himself to theological subjects, and
one who will interest them"
The foundation of this church would
be carried out on lines parallel to those
pursued by DR.. Roberts who lectures in
the Coates Opera House in Kansas City.
The new Auditorium will furnish a
largest audience hail in the city and If
the arrangements for lectures of this
nature could be arranged for it is quite
possible that the Auditorium would be
crowded every Sunday.
Good music would be one of the fea-
lures. An orchestra of several pieces
will be provided to furnish the music
and a choir of some of the best voices
the city affords would be orga nized.
This would perhaps be enlarged by the
addition Of several paid members.
Eugene Hagan is interested in the
plan. In conversation with a State Jour
nal reporter he said:
Il hesitate very much to discuss this
matter in a public way, because what /
say may be misunderstood or miscon-
strued. I have the very highest regard
for the clergy and for churches when re-
stricted to their legitimate and proper
sphere, but when they go beyond it, |
think they become instruments of evil
and are dangerous to society. They are
supported by the people, and the people
have the right to withdraw that support
if they see fit to do So
There is a capitalization of piety'
here commonly known as and called the
Ministerial Union. While the Individual
members unfrock themselves as it were
when they become members Of this soci-
ETY., yet in the aggregate they assume to
act for the churches and as representa-
tives of the churches In my opinion it
has done a great deal to make churches
and religion unpopular and to bring
them into disrepute. If there has been q
sharp political contest here, in the past
lew years, in which there has been mud
Singing and recriminations, and this in
stitUtion has not gotten into it, and ta-
ken an active part, I fail to recall it.
In the recent election this organiza-
ton evidently attempted to show how
far it could go in downright cussedness.
and turn some new political tricks that
would make old Croker blush What
was the occasion of it? At the Repub-
Hcan primaries candidate for county at
torney was nominated. He was q splendid
young man who was raised in our midst
He was an able lawyer; of the strictest
inf crrff HI
posing faction at the primaries main
tanned that he had received a few frau
dulent votes. They had absolutely no
proof that fraudulent votes had been
cast, and never asserted that Mr. Nichols
was a party to the fraud or knew any
thing about it. 1t was admitted on All
sides that he would make an able, vigi-
liant and conscientious officer: but the
Ministerial Union saw q chance to get
into a fight and stir up his satanic ma
jesty,-and what a fiendish and brutal
fight it was. The assault made on this
young mans character, inspired or back
ed by this organization would be revolt
ing to a Chinese boxer
They were not satisfied to stop at
this, but went further. There was a
contest between Judge Hazen and Judge
Martin, for the position Of Judge of the
district court. Judge Martin had lived
in this community for over forty years
and had filed at one time or another
almost every position Of trust that could
be bestowed upon him by the people.
He had always been a good, clean, eff
cient officer. Nobody doubts but what
he would have made a strong. Just and
incorruptibIe Judge
His opponent, Judge Hazen, had been
twice elected judge of this district and
renominated without opposition bv his
party. He has always been regarded
as the ablest and best district Judge in
the state Of Kansas. In early life he
was poor boy and was compelled to
educate himself He worked his way
from the farm to the bench He won
his way by hard labor and strict atten-
ton to business. After he had risen to
the head Of his profession and he looked
back over twenty-five years of struggle
the browning glory Of it all was there
had never been a whisper against his
| honor or his integrity The bar and the
people of the county We're to be con-
graduated that the contest was be-
tween two such able lawyers and SPLEEN
did gentlemen, and which ever way the
election went we were sure to secure a
superb officer
But somebody suggested that Judge
Hazen had upon some occa sion, possibly
years ago, either in moment Of hiIaritv
| or physical distress, taken a glass of
| beer That settled it with the ministerial
union. They entered the fight and in
famed the people against him. This
one glass of beer soon grew into con-
1 firn1ed and habituaI drunkenness and
| on a Sabbath morning in the churches
a brutal attempt was made by this
/ union to destroy his good name that he
/ ndu ln4I1Ealned ana preserved SO well
4 during his entire career
BY inference base and groundIess
stories have gone through the press that
will take these men years to live down.
I These ministers have deeply and I'M
/ justly wronged these men, and in do
/ ing 50 have dragged themselves and
4 their churches into disrepute. The
American citizen viii never permit the
affairs Of the state to be dictated from
| the pulpit Whenever it is attempted
/ the people viii call q halt