The evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1907-1908, 1908-01-04
THE OR NGES.
BLOOMFIELD.
MONTCLAIR
NOT WEAKENED"
ORANGE EXCISE PRESIDENT
ANSWERS MINISTER.
Kidder Says Rev. DR.. Lawrence's Criti-
cism was Uncalled For-Appli-
cation Rejected.

Because the Rev. DR.. William M. Law
renee, pastor of the North Orange Baptist
Church, said in his sermon last Sunday
that members OF the Orange Excise Board
were "weak-kneed' for not quickly turn
ing o the application of David Van
Gordon to conduct a saloon at 1858 Main
street, near the church, Chairman kidder,
for the board, criticized the clergyman at
the meeting last night in the presence OF
many members of the church., and, also
turned down Van Gordon's application.
Michael L. Barrett, who had been en-
gagged to speak for the license py van
left. 1t was signed by many saloon
keepers and bartenders.
The board passed on first readlng an
ordinance increasing the license zee from
$500 to $500 to take effect January ~. ana
the puilers' Tee was increased lroln S99
to $leo. The sal so bne1 a m daasra no 4a pf TO an.
nounce,'' said Mr., kidder, that at the
last meeting of the board a petition SO
strong and so numerously signed was
license that it was bound to meet with
Dur approval, and while we belize the
place mas been well rum, with but a
single exception, we had determined to
refuse to grant the license at the in
stance of the North Orange Baptist
Church. Former Senator Michael I. Bar
rett appeared at the meeting and asked
that he be given a months tipe to pre-
sent a counter petition bearing, the sigma
lures of persons who would favor the
grant. During the INTERVAL, anu Wnlle
the matter was before this court, for this
board is a judicial body in a small way,
the Rev. DR.. William M. Lawrence, pas
tor of the North Orange Baptist Church,
with no reflection meant toward him.,
publicly stated that the members of this
board were weak-kneed because the board
refused to grant his request while TINS
application was under consideration. That
sort of treatment from an intelligent man
and good citizen makes it more difficult
to conduct our business and harder for
sc IN % hna11nnn pI1r 1nnfCinn 81 Tho hoard
should not be criticised while a question
remains undecided and subject to argu-
ment on either side. he application is
denied
The first petitions against the granting
of the license to Van Gordon were preT
scented in writing by the trustees and
directors of the Orange Y. M. G. A, who
stated that the saloon would be too near
the association building. A protest in
writing was also received from H. r. Hal
sey, Mrs. Isabel f. Pierson, A. M. Bald
win and Alfred C. Bode, owners of prop
erty on Main street.
Sidney M. Colgate then spoke on the APP
that the addresses of persons from Main
street who signed Van Gordon's petition
did not give numbers of their homes, but
when we got to Cone street, North Centre
and other streets addresses were given.
That was curious to me, and | just mention
1t as a fact there would be more signatures
against the petition from adjacent people.
but they did not want to appear, yet they do
not want to see the application granted. Mr..
Barrett did not remain at the meeting, but
at the last session he asked what did the
petition from the North orange Baptist
Church count, as they lived all over the
Oranges. When l heard of that I resolved
with other members of the church and Off
cials of the Y. M. c. a. to come here and
object.
and others at 1924, 235, 342, 347 and $50 Main
street, and there is a grocery store on Main
street where liquors are sold. There are
also five other saloons on another block
nearby, and eleven here in two blocks. We
do not want Orange to look like a Western
cowboy town, and we do not want the
many people who will come out here when
too many saloons in the city. There are
more saloons here along Main street and
two adjacent blocks than there are IN the
entire city of Plainf1eld. We are not fanat.
les about this and are only requesting that
In this district one more saloon be not
opened"
way the saloon has been conducted in the
past?' asked Mr.. Kidder.
only that the last time. the. place was
operated Sheriff Sommer closed It up on
account of a slot machine being nsed there
In violation of the law, and the owner of
the license stated, in his own defense,
In his place because he wanted to at
tract business. We do not want so much
competition in the saloon business"
where it was expected to conduct the
saloon, said the place had been all fitted
mp for business. lie SAID ne mad owned II
for thirty-six years, and when the w. c.
r.. u. opened up Headquarters nearby there
were bars conducted in both the Park and
Windsor buildings. "They were both
closed up" he continued. land now they
come along and want to close us up. |
don't think it is Justice. The place had
been licensed for many years, and l do
not see the right of the board TO refuse
this application" He was applauded for
bis remarks by many in the room. Mr..
Eidder asked If DR.. Lawrence vas in the
room, but it was explained that he was
unable to attend. as he had to be present
1t services in his church.
It is probable that DR.. Lawrence will
make a reply in his sermon tomorrow TO
the statement made last night by Chair
man Kidder.
Speaking to a reporter today DR.. Law
renee said:
Il am not positive whether 1 said in
my sernon last Sunday that the members
pf the board might be weakened, or
hat they were weakened, but l am
willing to stand by either statement.
I'm seriously considering making a reply
10 Mr.. Kidder, and if 1 do it will be in
church. I may, ard possibly have, some
thing to say on the matter in my sermon
tomorrow"