The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1908-02-17
SAYS CLERGY
IS EASY FOR
POLITICIANS
Rev. Walter E. Tanner Criticises
Stand of Ministers Before
Supervisors
Unwise CcmmittaI on Liquor
Question Causes Laugh in
Alameda County
..SoIid Four" Holds District in
Greater Bondage Than
Car His People

OAKLAND, Feb. 16.-"The heroic
manner assumed by some of our
county officials when they are finally
driven by criticism to do their duty
would furnish excellent material for
the plot of musical comedy" said
Rev. Walter E. Tanner tonight to his
congregation in the Baptist church of
Melrose. They say they do their
duty under such circumstances merely
as result of their own strong con
victions and not because they are
under fire. To doubt the sincerity of
any of them is cruel, they say, no
matter with what crowd he is training
or to what interests he shows special
favors. It seems incongruous to them
that preachers should dare criticise
them But the number of preachers
who cry out and spare not around
the county is increasing, and those
officials who neglect their duties will
fare less easily from now on
WOULD DRIVE oUT PROPHETS
They call it moral and religious an
archy and denounce US as sIanderers,
ignoramuses. unjust accusers and un-
dignifed pulpiteers. These and other
equally careful ard guarded statements
are made BY the Casabiancas on ~politi-
cal burning decks, and they shrek with
-vehemence. but keep watchfuI eye to
the gallery at the same time with the
expectation of applause from such
quarters
They would drive out any of the
prophets of Israel II Isaiah were 1iv-
ing now he would be shipped to the
Philippines, and If Amos cried out
against the evils of this county they
would contrive a way to get him COM
mitted to San Quentin They stimulate
such patriotism by denouncing preach
ers.
MINISTER'S ARE DECEIVED
The ministers who appeared before
the board last Monday were devout.
sincere and earnest men. and one of
them is entitled to great commentators
for work he has done in purifying his
district. They asked me to accompany
z
Chairman Mitchell in calling them upon
the carpet and holding them responsible
for utterances from other pulpits than
their own. and in insinuating that such
remarks were impeding the progress
of the liquor question at hand. was the
essence of demagoguery and political
bunko and. was done purely for the
purpose of intimidation and deception
That political gymnast figured
preachers were easily deceived and
had no insight into political scheming.
and that by such a method he could
get ministerial appreciation to heal the
wounds Of the criticism he had already
sustained He thought it good chance
to make a grandstapd play and win
support and Endorsement of some clergy
and church people.
EASY MARKS FOR BOARD
The only criticism have of the
brethren who went before the board
is this: They were easy marks and
helped by their attitude and addresses
to confirm the existing opinion that
preachers are easily fooled and easily
worked by designing politicians They
confirmed the opinion that preachers
as class are shortsighted and imprac-
ticable in public matters to a greater
extent that any other class or citizens.
AS a result. these three ministers
caused a laugh to run round the politi-
cal ring from one side to the other.
and they would have made every
preacher in Alameda county the laugh
ing stock Of the entire public but for
the fact that there are a few ministers
about the bay who are speaking out
on public questions and are showing
ability to grapple with civic problems.
Otherwise. no one would believe that
the clergy has any practical influence
at all
These ministers were sincere. but
they let down the bars and unwfsely
committed themselves to gain a partial
victory and the future will show how
they have been tricked.
During the earlier part Of the even
ing Rev. Mr.. Tanner read symposium
OF letters dealing with racetrack
evils. He said that charitable organi-
zations and even some women's clubs
received small cash donations from the
track officials from time to time and
that the playing of bridge whist in
clubs frequently created q desire for
racefrack gambling