Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-02-15
HE extent to which distfn-
guished clergymen oppose pro-
hibition and advocate other
plans for the solution Of the


more than passing interest among ma
tional legislators who are now called upon
to vote upon a number of important meas
ures. including a proposition to make the
District of Columbia dry territory.
So large and impressive have been the
petitions and urgent pleas of ministers
and their followers In behalf Of reform
legislation in the past that most senators
and representatives were hardly aware
that there was any other sentiment in ex-
istence in the pulpit. Through congress
sional hearings, communications and
newspapers it is known in congressional
circles that many eminent divines are
not In accord with what seems to be the
popular demand from some sections for
drastic anti-whisky legislation. In many
cases this opposition is powerful.
While there are ministers of every re-
ligious faith moderately Outspoken against
prohibition the most open and frank oppo-
nents Of such a course are to be found in
the Catholic. Episcopal. Lutheran and
Hebrew denominations. OF the latter it
may be said that nearly every rabbi and
Jewish newspaper. religious or otherwise.
believes that moderation must be in
stilled by the fireside and not through
legislative halls.
Cardinal Gibbons is one of the latest
churchmen to express his views. While
they do not touch the measure pending in
Congress. they clearly furnish suggestions
as to how he stands. In an interview in
the Baltimore Sun. January 8, Cardinal
Gibbons made this statement:
II have always been in favor of high
license and have made utterances to that
effect. In q community as large as Balti-
more I do not consider absolute prohibi-
ton practical. for there are so many ways
of getting around legislation. But the
high liquor license 1 believe to be the
proper solution of the problem.
ITO begin with. the revenue will be
guaranteed by the increased price despite
the fact that the number of saloons will
be greatly decreased. The high license
will do away with the small grog shops
that throw out many temptations for the
poorer class OF people. and with the num-
her of saloons decreased the police will
be better able to enforce the laws. When
the number OF saloons is diminished the
police will be able to keep a much closer
watch on all of them.
$50. with the revenue assured and the
advantage placed in the hands OF the
police, many dangers can be guarded
against and many done away with"
Archbishop Messmer's Views.
Another great Catholic with broad
views on this question is Archbishop
Messmer Of Milwaukee. In an interview
in the Milwaukee Free Press. December
%. he reiterated former expressions on
this subject. saying: Il do not believe we
can reform men by law. Prohibition, ac-
cording to many observers. actually brings
more liquor into the homes of the people
than the open sale of intOxicants under
proper police supervision. l believe that
there should be strong legislation adopted
which will put the liquor traffic under
proper restraint. / think there should De
a
the law should be very careful as to the
character Of the saloonkeeper. A bad
man is doubly bad in a saloon
In the Episcopal Church.
Foremost in the Episcopal Church in
frank and outspoken sentiments is Bishop
Potter OF New York, who recently wrote
this brief denunciation of prohibition:
voluntary total abstinence must always