The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-02-18
TALK OF MARDI GRAS
MOBILE MINISTER DENOUNCEs CERTAIN OF ITS FEATURES.
Rev. Claude E. Hin Declares That Masking is Imm0ral-Snys He Witnessed Many Indecent
 Scenes.

Mobile Feb. 17.-(Special. )--As a prelude to his sermon tonight, Rev. Claude E. Hill of the First Christian Church, spoke on certain phases and features of the recent celebration of the Mardi Gras carnival in Mobile.
 His words were planned, as he said, more especially for the parents of young people who are just growing into manhood and womanhoad and to whom these features might appeal in the wrong way.
 You all know" said Mr. Hill, that I am not much given to mixing up in matters which are not of direct in- terest and concern to my work as a preacher of the Gospel, Personally, I much prefer to do my work as a pas- tor and preacher, and leave matters which do not pertain directly to my work in that capacity to others.
 But there are times when. to keep silent, means to do wrong. to fail in ones duty towards his own people, and the people of the community. The preacher Is citizen as well as a preacher. He has both duties to perform. These duties never con iiict the one with the other. In saying certain things concerning features of the recent Mardi Gras celebration in this city, I believe am discharging my duty and meeting my responsibil- ity both us a citizen and as a preach CT of the Gospel.
 T have no disposition to attempt to dictate to anybody but l do have a desire to create public sentiment such as would lead to the elimination of certain objectionable and disgrace- full features connected with this car nival. If people call this dictation, meddling or putting in they are at perfect liberty to do so. I believe am doing my duty toward the people of the community and toward my own city, when I call attention to that which I esteem as a public out rage and public disgrace
 ~ have seen four Mardi Gras cele- brations in Mobile. While there are certain bad featues connected with each one previous to this never be- fore have I seen so much that was disgusting and dissraceful on the streets. No restrictions whatever, seemingly. were placed on that ele- ment which invariably takes advan- taRe of a public celebration.
 "Women from houses of i'll fame. scantilY clad, Uaraded the streets in broad daylight, or staggered from one saloon to another. Women dress ed in mems clothing and followed by gangs of men marched over our streets Men and women with no respect for themselves or for others, danced in drunken embrace before parades. speak not from hear-say but from observation. I have witnessed carni- val celebrations in many cities but never before have I anywhere wit messed such performances as took place in this city on last Tuesday. It was q shame and a disgrace to Mo- hile. and will do more injury to the city itself than all the carnirals ever held or to be held will do good.
 "At this season of the year many visitors from the North are here It is my privilege to meet many of these on every hand I have heard eXpres- slous of surprise that such scenes would be permitted. I know that not all objectionable features can be elim- hated: any man knows that, but it Is absolutely foolish to say that even for one day tho city fig to be at the mercy of the disrepHtable class, and that drunkenness and indecency are to rul". that half-nude women with foul tongues, that besotted men who follow like gangs of CUTS, that women dressed in mems clothes, all of these together with burly blackguard ne sroes shall parade the streets, con gregate in front of salocns. and tn- suit your wife and my own: that the city shall be SO completely given over to rum and rowdyiSm that it Is menace n little boys and girls to % on tb" street