The San Francisco call., 1904-11-07
PURITY In THE ELECTION
IS THEME OF PULPITS.
PATRIOTISM AT BALLOT
BOX CLERGYMEN'S HOPE
DenOunce Civic Conditions

The approach Of the election furnish
ed a theme yesterday for many ser
vices in leading pulpits. Well-knoWn
clergymen Of divers denominations
pleaded with eloQuence and force Tor
the patriotic observance Of the duties
Of good citizenship and inveighed
against bribery and other crimes
against the ballot
The Rev. Francis NJ Larkin. Ph.D
spoke at the Grace Methodist Church
last night on A National Civic Crime"
He said In part:
The battlefield to-day Of Christian civiliza-
ton Is IN The cities OF our land. A few gen
erations ago II was in the country and on the
frontier. But the little red schoOlhouse and the
church have won the victory in the rural dis
trfcts- Changed Industrial conditions have
MADE the modern city. with its great wealth
classes u the slum and IN The suburb. The
criminal. the vicious and the unfortunate fee
no more 20 the frontier but 10 the city. Here
every crime seeks 20 flourish. in secret or with
the cOunivsnce Of the officials.
The enemies OF righteousness ind their great
ally in bribery. This is no ordinary crime.
i Is treason more vicious than the treason Of
10 another But this civic crime barters every
thing dear 10 home and country in the interest
Cf vice and crime. Il means regime OF in
tamy ana threatens the destruction OF cur
democracy. Thiscrimeis is prevalent in all the city
governments OF our land Minneapolis and st.
Louis have been stirred TO action by the reve-
lstions Of The last two years San Francisco
has had one revelation after another. yet our
shame Is great that there has been gen
ersl uprising OF the people 10 purge our city.
Scandal after scandal has come 10 light. but
the people sleep on, and one is sent TO San
Quentin. This is not SO much the fault Of
those in politics as those out Of politics.
The spirit OF bribery influences US In our
business and social relations We are bribed
by business success TO leave politics alone
let things run. We saw .'Husht'' whats
The use?' We can't do anything" And our
Tneuts Of TIE city. The ancents hired men TO
play the fool for them; play the fool our
selves. II Is time for san Francisco TO awake
20 the enormity Of the situation. When a
Mayer ceezs the election Of Superior Judges,
apparently in the interest Of his own admins
;ration. it is time for the people to arouse
themselves
A SACRED DUTY.
The American Voter and His Rela-
ton 10 the Saloon on Election Day"
was the subject Of a sermon preached
by the Rev. A. c. Bane at Howard
street Methodist Episcopal Church last
night. Among other things he said:
1t is a great privilege to live in a republic
and have Z voice in the affairs Of govern
rnent- Il IS a sacred duty for every American
citizen 10 be registered and TO vote The best
people should take the deepest interest in pol
iucs from the caucus 10 the polls, and not
leave % 10 the corrupt forces. The well being
or the people and the viii OF God should mold
should be held 90 be Of the first Importance.
You should never neglet at the ballot to honor
God and 20 hit sin God observes your ballot.
The greatest moral issue before the Ameri-
can people to-day is the legalized liquor traf-
hc. II Is an Outlawed business. but IL has
more power IN politics than the church has.
What have We come 10. when the worst busi-
ness has the most power2 II has intimidated
the pulpit. the press. The politician and the
people II is such demoralizfng business
that it Is forced To close election day. II
the saloon should close while We vote il ought
10 close while worship.
call Oh you TO vote for Judges and legis-
larors who arr not dominated by the saloon
nor by the political boss who is allied "ith
There is but one political party that has
dared 70 oppose the Liquor trafhc-the Prohi-
bition party. II has a national ticket in the
field. giving each Christian a chance TO vote
according 10 a Christian conscience. Chris
tians often pray. talk. resolve and wish against
the saloon and then when they have an oppOr-
tunity - vote against the saloon Be consist
ent The saloon makes the mo2 important
issue IN American politics Don't De afraid OF
throwing away YOUR vote. Lincoln said. AN
honest vote is never thrown away, II your
man is not elected
I would not say a word against our splendid
President. who Is = candidate for reelection.
nor against that other splendid man who is
his CHIEF opponent. but I would advise Chris
rizn men 70 cast their votes in the way that
rupt. debauching and destructive institution
in America-the organized liquor traffc-for
50 they viii most giOrify God
THE BETTER CITY.
The Rev. Z. L Walz, pastor OF the
last night on The Better City" He
said in part:
Too long have We been patiently submissive
night against that which disgraces a city and
harms its Inhabitants n al ages and condi-