Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1905-02-04
.SEATTLE'S
CHURCH
SENSATION
Pastor of First Presbyterian
Church Ac:used by City
Council

| last night when Rev. Or. N. A. Ma
lthews read bis "symptoms Of Graf
lits" at the meeting Of that bod
The events leading up to and follo7
ing the pastors address were sens
tional in the extreme.
The council chambers were too sma
70 hold the crowd that gathered, an
many Of the would-be spectators ha
10 be locked out. The lobby was g
high pitch Of excitement, and as tn
divine proceeded with his address, b'
came so demonstrative that Presiden
Gin threatened 10 have the sergeant
alarms clear the lobby and disPerse il
The assembled throng, led by Edwar'
Clayson. Sr., refused to restrain it
feelings, demanding the right Of Amer
lean citizens to exercise that preroga
tive.
When the divine had finished his ad
dress and handed his written statement
to the council, President Gill took the
floor, and. although DR.. Matthews left
the room Immediately, he charged the
pastor with being pretty near every
thing on the criminal calendar
He asserted that the divine could
not live in the county in Tennessee
from which he came; that he had been
a gambler and a consort Of bad wo-
men in that southern zone; that even
in this city be had been making night.
ly trips 20 the tenderloin in blinded
hacks.
He also asserted that he knew of a
girl in this city who had been crimi
nally assaulted in the shadow of the
First Presbyterian church, and made
grave insinuations against DR.. Mat.
thews declaring that it had only been
his (Gill 's) magnanimity that had pre-.
vented him from landing the divine
behind the bars Of the state peniten.
tiary, He added that he made the
statements because Of the PASTORS I'M
ealled.for attack upon him.
Or. Matthews had the complete sym.
pathy of the audience. although the
city employees and officials plainly
showed their fealty to the city faith
ers, The divine lost great deal Of
his prestige, however, when he refused
TO remain to listen to the answers
made by the eouncilmen. He said the
incident was closed until such time as
the council desired to call a grand jury
to further investigate his charges
In the meantime he refused to men.
tion names or to disclose the sources Of
has information. Many Of the specta.
tors thought such a course proper in a
minister Of the gospel, hut a majority
seemed TO think that it would have
been more manly Of DR.. Matthews had
he remained to hear the explanations
'f the eouneilmen he had attacked
DR. Matthews charges were largely
II general nature, aud were appar.
'ntly culled to some extent from news
paper articles published within the last
year. lie inferred that at least fopr
members OF the coun,il-Murphv.
'riehton. Daulton and Cole-we-e free
rom the "gnftitis" germ. He made
'pecihc charges against Gin. Bowen
Mullen and Rude without meut,onios
'ames. He said that Gill had violated
lis oath OF Office by defending gam
Hers, and that be was the leader nj a
hque that dominated the council
In reply Gin said that rs a LAWYER IL
vas his duty 20 defend an persons and
hat be would get bail for clients
brown uto Jail hy Chief DELANEY
Without charges against them. despits
he chief aud the mayor. lie ,eiJ b.
vas elrcted prcsiden, bv a eliope b.t
efused Go De- controlled by the Great
'"r'hern' aud thai in spite ot enemies
70 would be elected again next March
Dr. Matthews charged Rowep with
av'ng used his prestige as eb,i,r,,
Z the corporations committee ., h,u
ore local arms and corporations into
sing the materials manufactured lr
~ sheet metal works m the eon.,-,..
Ion ~ their buildings In H, r,,l-
.o~'n said his hm was af,er hr.i
ess n'" Just as much AS before ~.
eat into ibe council boz than his I'D.
''a' p's''i'a had uoihisg 20 io with
tie also made counter ,h,-,,.
sainsi 'he divine, branding him b.
bent lroa huilhr, mn
d~mdi'ug congregation. and .,-,
ared ham 90 Rev. Wallace N.ri.,
10 'ei' 'he city rnd,r sensational .ir.
,"'''Anees good many years 40,
he vile rumoSs IN connection with -.
'se bowen repeated, but several ~
% a1d'ense came 90 The iefsuse 81
aiting.
ne said that pf Matthews hal him.
I" 'ie'a'ed 'Ae law by Prsvaniss