The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1904-08-17

BY his recent participation in the pub
Tic dedication of the Subway tavern,
model saloon at Mulberry and Bieecker
streets, in New York the announced
object of which is to lessen the evils of
jntemperance, Bishop Henry c. Potter
of New York has provoked veritable
tempest of protests, denunciations and
criticism from clergymen and prohibi-
tionists in all parts Of the country, says
the New York Herald.
Bishop Potter is a trustee of the
Church Temperance society in New
York. Robert Graham, leading tenn
perance worker and founder of the so
ciety, who visited the Subway tavern,
said that, in his opinion, Bishop Potter
had laid himself open to severe criti-
Cism In helping to add another to New
York already large number of saloons
Many clergymen also objected to
Bishop Potter's statement that the eff
fort to abolish the saloon was ''one Of
the most comic and tragic failures Of
history" Scores of letters and tele-
grams reached the bishop from men
and women eminent in the temperance
cause, pleading with him to reconsider
bis course in helping to advertise a
saloon and soda water fOunt from
which beer was sold.
At the Subway tavern however, the
denunciations of clergymen and temper
ance advocates had the effect of caus-
ing a golden harvest to fill the cash
registers Thirsty and c'-"ious throngs
began to fill the place during the early
morning hours, and the rush continued
until the tavern doors were closed for
the night. Taking advantage of the
fact that his establishment for the time
being occupied prominent place in the
public eye, the manager Of the tavern
placed a big blackboard beside the
front entrance on which the following
legend was scrawled in chalk:
Yes, this is the saloon dedicated by
Bishop Potter You are welcome"
Joseph Johnson, the tavern manager,
expressed his satisfaction over the way
l1Siness was booming. "Pll tell you
one thing" said Johnson, Il have been
here since the opening, and not a sin
gle intoxicated person has entered the
doors"
ia discussing his visit to the tavern
and Bishop POtter's attitude regarding
the novel institution Mr. Robert Ora
ham, founder and manager of the
Church Temperance society, said Il
do not think that the bishop by lending
his presence to the dedication of the
tavern meant to antagOniZe the tenn
perance movement. He is it is true,
trustee of the Church Temperance So
ciety, but only nominally so, for he
never attends our meetings.
But he has made himself liable to
severe criticism by making an address
at the opening of the saloon. 1t will be
said by many persons that Bishop Pot
ter could have occupied himself with
better employment. AS it is there are
far too many saloons in New York city,
and it seems rather unnecessary, to say
the least for the bishop to aid in add
ing another to the list.
The unwise feature Of the saloon, in
aav opinion, however, is the soda foun-
tain where beer is sold. a place where
women may enter and seat themselves
10 ,,yil2& soda, beer or stronger drinks is
not likely to aid in lessening the evils
of intemperance. There can be no two
opinions about the danger of place OF
tlis sort which is sanctioned by high
church authorities leading young men
{Bto temptation. Personally l think II
Is a great mistake for them TO sell