The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-06-14
EetterS to tbe Gdftor
REPLIES TO MIR. ANDERSON.
Mir. B. s. Greil Answers the strictures
 on Him.

|
 Montgomery. Ala. June 18th, 1905. | Editor The Advertiser:
 The Reverend Neal L. Anderson, in the honor of leaving for a moment his l dusty books of theology to discuss my recent appeal for organization" among the retail liquor dealers of the city. Ing that my reference in that appeal to the Sunday closing ordinance, pro- | posed by. Hon. w. M. Teague. clearly defines. the issue raised by that ordi- nance. wish that 1 could say as much for Brother Anderson. His letter only clouds the issue, while his personal sation to those of your readers who ex- pect clear thinking and clean express sion even In a preacher.
 There is no more ardent advocate of Sunday closing in Montgomery than am. My position on that question is familiar to everyone who knows me- except Mir. Anderson. who writes about me Why will people persist in writ ing about things they do not know Even MT Teague was acquainted with my views in favor of the Sunday clos ing law when l supported him in the last campaign.
 But there is more in the proposed Teague ordinance than mere Sunday closing. and l am firm in the convic.. tion that It's enactment will in the end work hardship and injustice upon peo- pie whom the drafter of the ordinance does not now dream will reap injury. or harm. The real reason for organizing a Retail Liquor Dealers Association" was to discuss this phase of the matter | and to see if the dractic measure pro- amended in some way so that while Sunday closing would be assured in fact | as well as in name at the same time the | interests of all might be protected and all might be assured of equal justice. Surely there can be no harm in mer- chants meeting together to attain these 1ojsctstt0 crt prGtsfit their ne intsTssts and for this that the Commercial and In dustrial Association was called into ex- istence and to the same impulse must there not be ascribed the birth of such beneflcent orders as the Cotton Growers Association, the Retail Clerks Associa- tion. and even the Ministers Associa- Anderson have us believe that that close corporation known as the Min l isters' Association of Montgomery" has rial aspirations than to protect the in- terests of religion and to see that equal justice Is dispensed to all?
 But, 10! and behold. when moved bv l similar considerations, I attempt in an humble way to effect an organization among men in similar pursuits to my self: my purpose Is characterized by Mir: Anderson as "a naive confession of l guilt"-"a deliberate attempt to organ ize for the express purpose of per. petuatlng law-breaking."
 
 full! What terrifying nightmares are | born in the brains of theologiansl What | type of mind is this which sees only | sinister things, and wicked purposes, in every meeting together of commercial men who do not consult his pleasure or | ask his advice?
 MT. Editor, has there not been crim- | nation and recrimination enough in our | city. within recent years. in print and | out of print, concerning Saloon Dom- nation" Miserable Farce of Sunday Law Waive Confessions of Guilt" | Deliberate attempts to perpetuate law which Mir. Anderson has as drawn raw forth forth from the morgue of his theological | brain? These lurid but unsubstantiated | charges have filled the air for years; have been rebuked by the wrathful im- patience of sane people--and now that they are resuscitated. let us call a halt. The fair repute of our city is being l impeached by the impotent outbursts of disappointed censors of public nor als. The good name of honest and in- dustrlous citizens is being dragged in the mud by irresponsible and self-ap-s pointed guardians of public virtue. Before MT Anderson rushes into print in his eager desire for newspaper notoriety. making charges about "de- lfberate attempts to perpetuate law breaking" he ought to be sure that his assertions can be substantiated The license of the pulpit Is not to be tole- rated in the cold columns of the public
 "Watching other people" is the preachers business. and for my part am content to leave MT Anderson to the naive" enjoyment of his theology. Will ne he as considerate to leave me in the naive" enjoyment of trying to protect my interests and at the same time try ing to do Justice to all7
 Respectfully yours
 B. s. Greil