The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1902-07-21
ARRAIGNED FROM THE PULPIT
Rev. B. F. Riley breaches Strong Sermon
on Local Affairs.
Municipal and County Administrations Charged
With Knowingly Permitting Crime and Vice
to Flourish Unmolested Despite the Laws.

The following sermon was delivered by
Rev. B. F. Riley. D. D., in the First Bsp.
list church of Houston Sunday morning:
Proverbs xix. 2. when the righteous
are iu authority the people rejoice, but
when the wicked beareth rule the people
mourn
/ do net believe that the pulpit should
discuss politics, nor is 1t my purpose TO
do that today. There are times, however.
when political questions assume great moral
proportions, and when those times come
then these subjects become legitimate oh
iects Of discussions from the pulpit. Poh.
Tics sustain relation TO religion as do all
other great subjects relative to society.
Arts, science, sociology, education. politics,
should ali be based upon religious prlnci-
pies, and religion shows itself defective
when It does not permeate aud exert
controlling Influence upon ali these Gle
ments Of civilization God has much 10
say Of public affairs, and 1t Is made the
drty Of the preachcr 20 discuss these mat.
tiers as legitimate subjects from the pulpit
The subject as advertised IN the papers
Of Houston. which I shalt discuss today
Is "Muuicipalilies and Crlmlnalties" The
growth OF cities IN the United States Is
phenomenal. This admits Of application
not only to the expansion Of thos. already
existing but TO the multiplication Of such
cities. A chief feature connected with this
growth Is that Of the materialistic spirit.
When we consider that very soon the mn.
jorl,y Of the population Of the United
states will be gathered INTO cities Of 10000
and more. the materialistic as connected
with the growth Of cities evolves Sc
rious public question Men SO into cities
for the purpose Of making money. Drawn
bither by that atm, they are completely
absorbed IN their business and think o
little else. Little regard Is often paid r.
home and to other affairs relating 10 th'
public veal This results in turning IN,
city over into the hands Of an irresponsible
class, who DO not hesitate 10 take advSnt
age Of that existing state Of things. Tho.
concentrate their strength upon the contto
Of municipal governments while the bette
class are thinking II private affairs. }
Is a matter Of history that intellectual an,
moral growth has not kept pace will
materinlIstic expansion. This makes N
city a menace To Itself. to the State, an
.As
hog that must eventually swallow up tn
upper crust Of civilization. A dark cui
rent Of crime is sweeping our cities, "
stand by and lcok upon It, realize IT, su
rarely lift a finger to check il. The tire
elements of destruction at work in th
modern city sle--iguorancc, vice and crim
Saltpetre, sulphur and charcoal are eac
non-ovpIosiye, hut brought together the
make gun powder. The combination
these elements will form destructive d.
mantle, the explosion of which mu'
eventually become fearful.
LOCAL MUNICIPAL CRISIS.
Just now we are gravely concerned abo,
our local affairs. That we have reached
crisis is our municipal government is tC
plain n proposition to be discussed. W
a
Is simply astounding our law books a
burdened with statutes, but they are open
disregarded. Sr far from seeking to che,
this lawlessnets and criminality, there
premium PIT upon them by their beil
openly and hdgrantly sanctioned. Grim
are committed with such recklossness Al
With such daring that we are filled f
the time with CONSERVATION. We hear
crime and for the moment we star
amazed, but on the morrow 1t is forgott'
as we plunge afresh into our business II
fairs. The second day 1t Is scarcely thong
cf ut all, and time soon ublitcrates IL fro
our thoughts This is the Indifferent
auout which | speak. And SO crminali
goes unchecked ami the criminal unwhipp,
OF Justice.
Two large mass meetings have been ne
in Houston since have been a reside
OF the city, and yet prominent busine
men ana leading citizens were for the mo
part conspicuous for their absence. This l
difference, as well as the Indifference
the government In the administration
affairs Is resolving Houston into II nurse
OF socialism, communism aud nhiliSm.
A few months ago certain class OF OF
GERS was displaced, aud Nhith wild hurr
and great promises OF reformation anoth
class was inducted. II will be remember
of while the campaign was raging, al
while the politicians were holding cllqu
and midnight coucluves known only 10 M
who appear fair without but within a
foul and corrupt TO the last degree.
Is true that in the last campaign certa
loud and vociferous orators who were w
paid and highly compllmsnted for tn,
services, would whisper reform from o
side aud from the other would say, "V
are not going TO make q church OF Z
city OF Houston" These utteranees fou
expression here upon the public square
our couat house. The election WAS hel
The reform PARTY was indicted with
Overwhelming reclamation, More moi
sreechess were made More promises We
repeated. There WAS a flourish ot tru
pets, snd all was over. What differen
has been wrought? Go down the stree
of ouston today and see II you can ma
difference. The gambling dens are ST
In fail blast, the saloons are open, aud y
these men took solemn oaths TO see IN
. the ,aw was properly administered.
THE ADMINISTRATION ARRAIGNE
The administration Of this city COVER
ment is charged with the responsibility a
function of seeing that the written laws
fully executed. And yet in absolute
fance Of law. gambling dens still aboun
every possible violation Of the law char'