The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1901-05-21

|
II does not conflict with the state law
that they will publish the text In full.
| am sure II will be interesting reading.
II ought to be preserved In the ar
chlves Of the city for future reference.
But our attorneys tell us the charter
In special law, the state law Is a
general hw A general law cannot
set aside a special law unless the spec
ial law ls specifically mentioned in the
general law. Now II section 20 dld not
exist In our charter could see the
force Of that statement In this case
But not being a lawyer ! fail 10 gee
where the charter Itself SAYS no ordI-
nance touching the nickel the -slOt
machine shall be passed that Is con-
trary 10 any state law--1us; what diff
ference II makes which Ii the special
or which II the general or which was
passed first. You say that is not law
Well i appeal 10 you II II does not at
least have the appearance Of common
sense. know that we preachers are
sometimes accused. perhaps not always
unJustly, NJ getting ~ much theology
into our heads that we l0ee our abiI-
ity 10 be practical. But I am per-
suaded that the preachers are not the
only sinners along this line n sore
ls on the body. the whole body IL dis
eased and suffers therefron II IL there
same with a dty Familiarity with
lawlessne@ 1n1 immortality blunts the
moral sense. Like an infectious dis-
ease II reaches out until the whole
moral life Of the city In affected. But
the dealer must have the money that
flows into his till through the machine
and the city must have the revenue.
No regard Is 10 be paid 10 the NOR
allty of the young men. Money Ia
the evil trust. Money In Itself ls no
evil but the love N money for It's own
sake Is an evil Of the greatest magni-
tude. And It's power is felt. not only
In our general government but In our
municipal government today. And how
much Is the city 10 receive in return
for these machines? Well. II the pres
ent ordinance can become a law this
city will receive $1,000 a year. I appeal
10 you IL not that an insignificant gum
with which 10 recompense this city for
disgraclnR Itself. to say nothing about
the lnGulty li fosters
The pastor u this church has been
challenged 10 play Mr. MadisOn's ma
chine. This Il the challenge. The pas
tor Is to drop 1900 nlckels In the ma
chine. II the ma .hlne does not regis
ter 900 cigars Mr. Madison gives the NJ.
r. church $50. We have been advised
to accept But we decline for the fol-
lowing reasons:
1.-The proposition Is 70 gamble. We
do not gamble. hence cannot accept.
2.-We would not accept IL we could.
We are not In the habit OF playing at
another mans game. II Is an open Sc
cret that the cards IN rhe machine can
be changed. OF course. Mr.. Madison
would not do that. but this Is what
puzzles Us, III We can only get him
(the pastor) 10 play the machine we
will * him: of course that remark
was not intended for the pastors ears
but Il reached ihem
3.-We have already dropped a few
nickels into Mr.. MadlsOn's machine and
have witnesses 10 the fact that
for those nckels the machine did
not register single cigar and that for
100 nickels dropped into his machine II
Orlv registered Is cigars. We do not
presume TO say II shows what the ma
chine may do Just az stray straws in
dicats the direction Of TIE wind. These
are my reasons for declining. Are they
not sufficient
This Is the problem that confronts
us today What are We 10 do; I be-
licve in the Bible. / believe in prayer
meetings. But thus far these agencies
have not freed US from these things.
Good. strong Intellectual men have
stood In our pupits and declared the
word In power. yet this evil has gone
right on. Their efforts have apparent
lv made no impression. They may have
picked up a fallen man or woman here
and there but for every one rescued ten
have gone down to ruin. This Is not
merely a religious problem but a civic
problem as we'll The life Of the conf
munity as well as religion demands a
solution. II Is our mission TO lift uu
the fallen TO rescue all we can but
when We are al rescue work We ought
10 destroy the -ource. II is a tremen-
dous undertaking and means tre-
mendous conflict; II calls for strong
heroic men, who cannot be bought and
who owe allegiance 10 no one but God.
II Is worthy Of our powers and will
tax our manhood but it will pay I
summons YOU to a task Be true to
the righteous side and have a part In
the conflict. DO not speak merely TO
your piety; 20 your religious feelings.
sneak to your common sense, your
humanity. your patriotism, II you love
your fellow men. n YOU lesire the or
der and stability Of society and believe
in your city, in It's future. its mission
of blessing do something to prove your
faith. And the best things that you
can do is to give your strength. your
influence and. II needs be. your money
Ia save the boys and girls at whose
hands the welfare Of this city will be |
when YOU are gone.