The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-10-25
SATURDAY. OCTOBER IS, 1902.
DR.. HAwTHoaN CRUSADE.

DR.. HAWTHORNE'S CRUSADE.
We have watched with keen interest
the crusade which the Rev. Or. ]. b.
Hawthorne has been making against vice
and corruption in Richmond. Naturally
so, for Tho Times has done what 1t could
to promote pure politics and public morals
in Virginia. and we are willing to CO.
operate with any man who conscicntfously
and discreely undertakes work In this
direction. DR.. Hawthorne is a great pull
pit orator and a man OF force and cour-
age. He has preached strong and elo-
uuent sermons on this subject and he
has made serious and sweeping charges
against our municipal government. The
Times has given publication to his ser
mons. for we believe in publicity within
the bounds Of propriety, and it has seemed
proper to us to let our readers know
what this bold preacher was saying.
BY and by the Police Commissioners
requested DR.. Hawthorne to appear be-
fore them and make good the charges
which he had preferred in his latest ser
mon Accordingly, on Thursday night
DR. Hawthorne appeared before the board
with his witnesses and he was permitted
70 question and cross-question the Cher
OF Police. His own statement and the
testimony Of all the witnesses whom he
introduced were printed in extenso and
ad nauseam in the morning papers But
what is the not result? What has been
1oy 1Jav CHI
eral months ago gambling houses were
Nourishing in this town. But on that
point he brought out nothing that was
new or that lad not been published ana
republ:shed in the daily papers.
Nor did he bring out anything new with
reference to the sale of liquor on Sun
das. 1t is well known that the Sunday
law has been violated time and again by
the liquor dealers. The general PUBLIC
are urging the police to put a stop TO
this species of lawlessness. and we be-
1ieNe that Chief Howard is doing his best
TO execute the law. We are inclined to
think, however. that the law is at fault.
We believe that it inures to the benefit
OF the liquor dealers, and it would be Well
To have radical changes made in the law
when The Legislature next conrenes.
This .,y tie way.
.astlsi, ler. Hawthorne made a pitiless
and .nortifging exposure of the skeleton
in our closet. But what has been ac-
complished ~ that. The men of Rich-
nond knew that tho skeleton was there.
The Chief Of Police. who is Il moral man,
q consistent church member and man
who loves good morals and hates all
forms of immortality. knew it and has
known il for years More than that every
had amy business to know knew all about
This skeleton, knew all that il was nee
essarN 10 know about it, and Dr. IIaw-
tlloisle's investigation has done nothing
but parade it in public and exhibit it In
ali its uglirlass and shame 10 the young
and innocent who had no business to
know. And this was done with delibera-
tiol1 and reconciliation. for DE-. Hawthorne
mace iia condition with the Police Board
that the investigation should be public
ii was a humiliatins exhibit and The
Times regrets more Than it can say that
its duty as a public journal required il
to print the disgusting testimony.
Dr. Hawthorne is quoted having said
that in his opinion great good will result
from the investigation in the Board OF
Police Commissioners. We do not agree
with him. On the contrary, We believe
that il has done inca1culable harm. and
we believe. moreover, that DR.. Hawthorne
in his zeal has unwittingly done more
than all its enemies to injure the reform
movement that has been inaugurated.
and TO bring it INTO popular disfavor.
Nc say this in respect and in courtesy,
but we say it in all earnestness. We be-
iicye that he has hindered rather than
helped by the extreme methods which he
has employed.
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DEMOCRATIC BUGLE GALL.
Mr.. Bird S. Colcr, Democratic nominee