The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1908-12-31
Denies Newspaper Charge
Ministers Postpone Con-
tempIated Action Until Aft
err Loca! Option Election.
MEAT SHOP CLOSING
NOT OPENING WEDGE
Some Ministers Favor Strin-
gent Sunday Observance,
But Association Never Took
Action to Such Effect.

In terms Of indignations just about
as strong as within his keeping as a
clergyman, one of the most prominent
ministers of the city today denounced
the story printed in a local newspaper
last evening in which the ministers
We're charged with intention to place
the city under regime of blue laws"
following the local option election.
Just say for me that story is an alb
solute fake inasfar as it concerns any
action of the ministerial body" de-
clared the pastor and his displeasure
of such "unwarranted and unfair
newspaper attacks" was evident from
his attitude.
News Not Suppressed.
None of the contemplated meas
ures of the ministerial association is
being held back in order to gain pub
lie favor and votes for the local option
movement" stated the Rev. r. j. Wade
pastor of the First M. e. church and
the speaker quoted above. Continuing
he remarked: There may be some in
dividual members of the Ministerial
association who would favor closing
the confectioneries, cigar stores, drug
stores and other lines of business on
Sunday. just like when pool and bill
lizards were considered at the Y M. C.
A. But these probably would encoun-
ter hard time in convincing other
members of the association that it
would be proper move When the
pool and billiard matter was consid-
cred we threshed 1t out and decided
no interference should be attempted.
No "sIue Law" Regime.
again, you may say. the closing of
the meat markets Is not to be regard
ed as an opening wedge This was
not undertaken with any view toward
putting blue laws into effect in the
city. at all. The Ministerial associa-
ton tried no coercion nor undue in
fluence. A committee was appointed
and its members conferred with the
meat dealers Many OF them said
they would much prefer to close their
shops on Sunday. if the others would.
So the committee visited all the deal
ers and tried to induce them to sign
paper signifying their willingness
to dispense with the Sunday bust
ness"
Don't you think. either continued
Rev. Wade, "the ministers would com.
promise their position by trying to
hold off any contemplated move sfmp-
ly because of the local option cleo
ton and in the hope of securing more
votes. 1t looks to be the newspaper
foes Of the local option are trying to
make the people believe if they vote
The county dry, the ministers intend
20 carry the blue-law idea to the ex-
IRENE. That is misrepresenting the
facts.
Denies Postponine Action.
"The Ministerial association was
charged with planning to take steps in
.egard to the wrestling matches be-
cause they 'over-emphasized the ami
nal side of man. The wrestling
matches were discussed in the minis
terial meeting but it was not decided
20 wait until after the election before
making protest, despite what may
be alleged in newspaper. The mat
or came up and we decided the best
ing to do would be to have it out
L. was talked over and decided that
re could not see just where the wrestl.
t.g matches were any of our business.
Go not deny that some of the min.
is1ers may favor more stringent OBJ.
servance OF the Sunday closing laws
III. never has the Ministerial associa.
gson decided to postpone anything be.
..ause of the pending election