The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1904-08-27
''DispIacesnemt by Substitution .
Bishop Henry C. Potter, who has
been errOneously reported and carl

catured by the press Of the Unite
States as being present ut the dedic,
ton Of saloon. and opening the &c
} emonies with proyer. has a clear
perception of the necessities Of Il
hour than the thoughtless and FOOLS
people who condemn and criticise hin
Replying to their criticisms agains
him because he ofiiciated ut the ope,
ing ceremonies Of the New York Sui
way Tavern, the bishop says:
/ II have publicly stated that neve
dreamed Of regarding the present q
loon as either q blessing or q necess
ty, and no word OF mine, wheths
uttered recently or atany other time
warrants any such inference. / hav
simply regarded it ~ an inevitabl
and necessary evil until it il displace,
by something better. My controver
~ is simply With those who have n,
other aim in dealing with mischiev
Gus institution than to suppress il
whereas the only hope of reform her
ia in displacement by substitution"
The bishops idea Of displacement
BY substitution" is recognised by tn
foremost thinkers Of the age as tn
only successful method OF dealing
with all the "mischievous institu
tions" that exert their baleful influ
ence among the sons and daughter
OF men. just az the bawdy house
and gambling he'll is most effectively
opposed by giving the occupants o.
those places refuge, and employment
and amusement OF more elevating
character, SO also it is best to pro.
vide substitute for the saloon.
Christian workers and huminintar-
ians must learn to substitute liberal
ity for coercion, common sense and
policy for bigotry and intolerance.
Men are essentially social and CON-
panionable, and at all times appeals to
this trait in their character, when
coupled with convenience and CON-
tort, is sure to catch them. The sa-
loon men understand this and they
make the most of it. They have
tables and chairs, and ice water, and
free lunches for one and all. They
have cards and dominoes, and check
ers and chess for the asking, or for
few cents Mt the most. II you want
to smoke, matches are convenient
and free; you can smoke your old
cob pipe, or you can buy a Csc cigar
at the bar. II you want to read, files
Of daily papers are handy, and you
are welcome to them whether you
buy whisky or beer or not. II you
are tired and hot, where else in all
Dur great s0-called christian cities
except in the saloons, can You ilnd a
Tree hvatory and clean water and
towles to wash and battle your face
and hands7 Where else except in the
saloons cnn You find water closets
that may be used without question
BY any and all corners.
Bishop Potter belongs to that
lass Of practical christian workers
that are doing great things for the
splitting Of poor humanity, and It
viii BE- well for Others to pattern after
him instead OF criticising and con-
him. He believes that the |
lddles and the brass horns can be |
'sed to just AZ good effect in the
hurches rs In the dance halls. He
relieves that thousands OF good men |
riIl enjoy . quiet smoke in pleas
mt room away from the fumes Of
II 10 such place Is provided
My the ordinary conveniences and
omforts Of life. And the bishop has
many who believe az he does, and
hey are helping him to provide such
laces, and the plan bids fair to be
ne Of the greatest powers for good
mong all the agencies at work for
he benefit OF man In this twentieth
sntury.
OF course there are two sides to
ME question, as well a. q middle
round. The idea that the saloon
the poor mans club is offset by the
aim that neither poor men or rich
ZEN have ony moral right to spend
heir time in a club. Grant the claim,
ill men willdo it. And the question
'mains, what are you going to do ,
bout it7 Can you suggest anything
sitter than making men cOmforta bic,
nd then trying to reason them into
life Of righteous livingf L
Pollock, La, July, q, 1904.
ditOr COlnsx Chronicle: