Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1908-03-03
PASTORS DECRY
the Open TOWN
REV. FATHER HOFFMAN, AND
REV. HARGETT REFER TO
-~ -. LoosENEss 80 ~a4

In at least two churches yesterday
occasion was made by the pastors to
refer to the open violation of laws in
civic affairs. Both Rev. Henry w.
Hargett, pastor of the First Methodist
Episcopal church ana Very Reverend
F. w. Hoppman of st. Mary's church,
gave mention in their sermons to the
activity of Judge Roberts in running
down the gamblers and lewd persons.
Father Hoppmann's Remarks.
In his sermons at both masses at
St. Mary's Catholic church yesterday,
Very Rev. F. w. Hoppman denounc-
ed in no unmeasured terms the state
of affairs brought out in Ottumwa by
the activity of Judge M. A. Roberts
and the grand jury, and gave the
warmest praise to the judge and jury
for their faithful performance Of
duty. In the course of his sermons
he said.
~ Greatly Rejoice"
II am greatly rejoiced at the results
achieved by our courts. The only
thing that I am surprised at is that
these things have been going on under
the protection of the men we have put
into Office Every law has been trans
gressed-the law of the church, the
law of the state and the ordinances
of the city and with knowledge and
consent of the men we put into Office
to protect us.
II am glad that Judge Roberts and
the members of the grand jury had
the courage to stop reign of lawless-
ness that was only made possible by
willful neglect of duty on the part OF
the city officers. There will be great.
er safety for law abiding citizens
when the gamblers and the fallen
women are no longer permitted to
walk the streets unmolested."
In closing his sermon Dean Hopp
mann expressed the opinion that
from excessive drinking
Sweeping Reform.
Speaking from the topic "The Hal
lowed Name" Rev. H. w. Hargett
pastor of the First Methodist Episco
pal church, incidentally referred tt
the present reform wave sweeping
over the country, and to local condi
tions. He did not mention the names
of any officials, but told in genera
way his tory so that it could not be
easily misunderstood. He said in part
I'VE hallow the name of our faith
er in heaven by living as those who
are his true children. We hallow his
name by holding in reverence hi!
day, his book, his name, his house
and his rebuking all that hurts, in
jures or destroys his children.
Office is Trust.
/ Public Office is public trust 1t Il
vitally associated with the welfare o
the people. 1t exists not to prey upor
the vices of the people, but for thu
protection of the law-abiding citizens
and for the punishment Of all evil
doers. When officers sworn to enforce
the laws, become parties to their vic
lation. they become a menace to on
American institutions. In private lif
they might influence few. but put
ting the sanction of their Office upol
evil they give tremendous power owe
the weak and tempted. When tn
shepherds appointed to keep tn
wolves from the fold, give encourage
nent to the wolves, how terrible is tn
I,"voc that is wrought The create
the tolerance of crime by public off
cials the more the people are demon
allied. the more our national instit,
tions are endangered.
1T is our duty to support the me
who are working for honesty in hig
) places sobrietv in low places an
righteousness in all places.
r.