The San Francisco call., 1909-01-28
PLACE IN POLITICS
FOR THE CHRISTIAN
Report on Social Service of the
Episcopal Diocese Urges
Election of Good Men
Evils of Gambling, Divorce, Ia
temperance and Child Labor
Are Denounced

Rev. Cecil NJ Marrack in his report
OF the work of the social service COM
mittee of the Episcopal diocese of Cali
fornia. read at the second days session
OF the fifty ninth convention yesterday
in Trinity church, scored the rich men
who use their wealth to influence legls-
lation. pledged the convention TO uphold
the judges and attorneys FOR whom the
church prays and recommended that
the convention ask the supervisors for
increased financial support for the dis
trict attorneys office. SO that wealthy
criminals could be prosecuted.
And we take this opportunity" said
Rev Mr.. Marrack, speaking for the
committee, to commend to every layman
of our church his primary duty to be-
come a politician, practically Interested
in the election of good men from his
own district We believe this an es-
sential duty OF every Christian man,
and we regret vehemently the relega-
ton Of politics to idle citizens of low
standing Politics should be term OF
commentator rather than of reproach.
1t ought TO be as honorable TO be
politician as TO be doctor or a pro-
fessor. It must become SO II we are
to have effective democratic govern
ment."
APPLAUSE GIVEN REPORT
So marked was the sentiment on the
convention in favor of these measures
that at the conclusion of the reading of
the report there was a general and
spontaneous burst Of applause, which
Bishop William Ford Nichols, as chair
man, was obliged to Quen by rapping
sharply for order.
Slot machine gambling and racetrack
betting also received the attention OF
the social service committee. Rev. Mr.
Marrack said the police departments of
other cities stamped out the evil in
many cases, but that the protest of the
committee made to the local board of
supervisors received the reply that the
city was in some measure dependent
upon the income received from the
licensing of these machines.
ct is devoutly to be hoped, said the
clergyman, that when the city budget
is prepared in June we may cease to
depend upon the revenue derived from
such source, and that effective steps
will be taken for abolishing these ma
chimes
MONEY LOST AT EMERYvILLE
Speaking Of racetrack gambling. the
speaker said:
.'Emeryville racetrack supports more
than 80 book makers who pay to the
owners $500 each per day for fees and
other expenses. This makes $4,000 a
day clear outlay for the book makers
before they can even begin operations
on the public. The misguided habitues
Of the racetrack not only lose this. but
enough more to make the game
profitable one for the 'bookies.
Rev Mr. Marrack circulated many
photographs showing the lamentable
conditions IN the congested districts of
this city and said much work had been
done by the committee during the year
to secure reform in tenement house
laws.
OsTRACISM FOR DIVORCES
Social ostracism as a remedy for
divorce was recommended by the COM
mittee and the convention was asked
to cooperate with the laymen in this
movements.
AT present the causes for which
divorce is allowed are so numerous
and so frivolous that a reaction of pub
lie sentiment must soon check the
evil said Rev, Mr.. Marrack. Mean
while it is well to reafirm the high
stand OF the Lambeth conference in
this regard.
Pure women are the great human
power for good in this cause. They
can apply a punishment which Will
soon prove remedial"
CURFEW LAW URGED
Child labor, Fairgrounds and amuse-
ments for children were discussed by
the committee. That the curfew law
should be enforced was the general
opinion for then the nickelodeons,
which had been decried by many, would
not be detrimental to public morals, as
it was the opinion OF the committee
that they We're not as a rule evil in
themselves
ANTI-SALOON WAR APPROVED
Dr. Bane. secretary of the anti
saloon league, explained that the anti
saloon movement was non-sectarian
and aimed at the liquor traffic and not
ar the personal element of drunken
ness, legislation being considered the
root of the whole matter. The leagues
plan of campaign was outlined by the
speaker and indorsed by the conVen-
tion.
The convention devoted the rest of
the day to the reports of committees
and the election of officers and various
committees for the ensuing year. The
following members were elected for
the eighth missionary department:
Clergy-Archdeacon, ]. A. Emery;
Rev. n B. w. Galwey, Rev. Cecil M.
Marrack, Rev. J. W. Gresham.
Laymen-H. r. Braden, George z.
Butler. A. n. Brown, A. c. Kains.
The election for the standing COM
mittee, which is the bishops advisory
board. was not completed even after
four ballots, which extended to the
closing Of the afternoon session, and
was put over until this morning.
The Seminar dinner at the Hotel Nor
mandic and the reception at the eccles-
iastical residence closed a busy day.
Churchwomen Name Officers
The Episcopal house of church,
women had busy day yesterday hear
ing reports and addresses and appoint
ing boards and committees.
After the opening service, conducted
by Rev. Ernest Bradley. the house ad-
journed to the convention meeting in
Trinity church to hear the reports of
the joint committee on social service
The first business of the afternoon
session was the election of a secre-
tary of the board of missions
Mrs Thomas p. Woodward was
unanimously reelected secretary, and
I Of 70 o,.I Of