The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-02-24
Minister Says He Heard Music
From Sidewalk and Saw Min
ors Enter the Place.
PATR0LMAN LINGERS AN HOUR.
st. Louis Evangelical Alliance In
vites Pastor of st. Johns Church
to Cooperate With 1t in Nor
al Reform Work.

Illegally conducted saloons and the atti-
tude of the police force toward them were
| vigorously arraigned in an address delivered
by the Reverend Father ]. T. Coffey yester-
day morning. before the 81. Louis Evan
gelical Alliance.
In a paper on Municipal Reform" he took
occasion to speak extemporaneously on
some observations made by himself Sunday
night.
In the 100 block on Chestnut street there
are five Christian families Of my parish"
said he. "A saloon has recently been opened
there, which is not conducted according to
law. have used every effort to stop it.
ana the police nave promised to do so, but
no action has been taken. Sunday night
from 9:i5 to 1906 / stood on the corner to
observe its workings.
The place was wide open and through
the doors came music which attracted per-
sons in passing. Many of those who went
In and came out were minors and persons
not allowed by the law in such places.
Young girls and their escorts were partic-
ularly noticeable because of their boisterous
behavior and seeming disregard for decency.
they could not help knowing that the law
was being violated every minute. Still,
nothing was done"
NOTES THE PARTICIPANTS NUMBER.
In the course of his remarks Father COT
fey spoke Of having seen a policeman, whose
badge number was 9i6, enter the saloon he
was watching. He said the man stayed
there for a long time and appeared to be
under the influence of liquor.
Patrolman George Greedy, whose badge
number is the one noted by Father Coffey,
has for two months been detailed on clerical
work at the -Four Courts. He said yesterday
afternoon that he was in the saloon Sum
day night, and that he went there to bor-
row some money from his brother-in-law.
He has not the reputation of a drinking
man
This is merely one instance Of scores of
like ones that l could recite from my own
observation and from the testimony of re-
liable authority" said Father Coffey.
For this condition of affairs Father Cof-
fey laid the blame largely on the ministry.
he argued that a preacher by no means
forfeits his citizenship and its obligations,
although many persons hold that view.
They are the ones looked TO and the re-
sponsibility is largely on their shoulders. He
does not think that any evil can be wholly
annihilated. and advised against attempting
too much.
MORAL REFORM MUST TAKE TINE.
1T is because clergymen often assume
the Carrie Nation role" said he, and start |
on an ~annihuation crusade that persons lose |
confidence in them as leaders in public af- |
fairs. The lone reformer is much like the
lone politician.
IA long as we are supine we have no rea- |
son to expect a great deal of activity on the
part of the paid politicians. Let us be can |
did and recognize our obligations to the
public. and then start in and do our duty.
In season and out of season, as our Master |
uld. Then may we expect a better tone of !
PUBIC morals and some Improvement in |
certain branches Of our municipal govern |
AS a result of Father Coffey's address the.
alliance voted that he should be invited to |
confer with the Board of Control of the or |
ganizatfon and point out the best method /
Aor concerted action against the evil. l