New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-04-10
IN DEFENCE OF ROCHESTER.
One Clergyman Who Doubts the Truth Of
Others Observation.
the Editor Of The Tribune.

To the Editor OF The Tribune
Sir; In your issue OF week ago there was an
exhaustive article giving. together with the por-
traits Of distinguished clersymen. description os
the wickedness Of Rochester Statements Ike m,
eminent divine'S TO the effect that all the theatres
were running Sunday nights as on other nights
are misleading. What are the facts? One Theatres
has been used church by one OF our largest
parishes for nearly a year; another is dark nearly
every Sunday night. The other two are In tn
habit Of having sO-caled sacred concerts" a face
to be regretted. perhaps. but not quite so bad az
the condition suggested At the first named theatre
last Sunday night over three thousand people ar
tended divine service am sure the other theatres
would not object run like that every night TN
the week
have lived in Rochester FOR over six years ana
although the work Of my parish has kept me too
busy to engage N the business Of professional r.
former. have not closed nv eyes 20 actual con-
ditions. I do not think our city Is a heaven on
earth: we have our problems as well as other CON-
munitieS' but we are graphing with them earnestly
and do not hesitate to say that sanitary and
moral conditions Rochester stands higher than any
city OF the size I have seen IN this country
Our police force is not corrupt. and the most thas
mas been truly said about il can imply nothing
more than ineficiency. have always found thas
its members have been very willing % help me IN
giving protection and advice to some OF my weak
kneed parishio1ers.
Vice is here. bur there is no suggestion OF ia
grancy. In some Of it's worst forms it does not
exist some years ago IN a quiet Interested
myself with several others in closing very
bad concert halls" which We're running withour
a license We had all the help needed from tho
authOriues. and they were closed and have stayed
closed. Hall saloons have been eradicated. "a
well.
It Is not true thar gambling houses are vide
open In Rochester. doubt II there are any Win
even the seulblauce OF Dermanency Most or TINS
good work done under the supervision or the
who is Mayor of Rochester ne was then
Commissioner OF Public Safety. l know aim 20 %
highmnded gentleman and q man OF lnCepen-
denCe and moral force He is IN public LIE from a
high purpose. and Eas our best interest az heart
II is certainIy injustice that any one should get
the impression that he Is in any way IN sympathy
with evil conditions
Rochtster is distinctly good town. as towns so
I'm America. II may be possible 20 set drink
Sunday. i have never tried but those who have
tell me il is possible Wherever there are clubs
Tor the well to do 1 suppose there viii be saloons
Sunday liquor selling Is not carried openly az
7 feel that know Rochester fairly well. and
an proud OF my home. That is the Ouly reason
ara writing il this strata One of the cIergvn9ea
whose portrait appeared IN your issue has lived
here barely year; anOthe- has been ncre a CONF
paratvely short tine Perhaps they have fO-.f "a
have, that il is easier TO get people 10 20 10 a
sacred concert than Co church: bun that r,av be
partly fault We have a problem, here Sc IL
IS not q hopeless one. n0r q very wicked one s,5
feel We are making progress.
MURRAY BARTLETT, Rector OF 81 Paurx
Rochester. y. y. April 5. 1904