The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1910-04-20
ley. ABBEVILLE. s. c.. WEDNESDAY. APRIL ~, 1910
Minister Scores the Shows.
Abbevlle, S. c., April 18th, 1910.
dr. Dracc. onI Ronpar.

Editor Press and Banner:
May | have space in your paper to cal
attention to the character of the SHOW :!
do this because l believe the general in
terests of our people requires or needs tn
information.
First: "a show" as generally under
stood, stands for all that is prohibited il
1.-The ten commandments" and by the law:
of common decency. Murder, gambling
counterfeitng, profanity, Sabbath desc
Grafton, stealing, adultery, are some com
mon characteristics Of 1.-THE show"
| lived near one town in which the "ShOW
folks" had shooting bee," during which
some were wounded and one or more
killed. was in one town where the bank
ers said two shows left about $4,000 coun-
terfeit money. Another town OF 1900 pop
ulation had about $4,000 in counterfeit
money left on their hands. In that town
they paid the council 500 to show, to
swindle and corrupt the morals of the city
and to dispose of their counterfeit funds.
Still another town of about 5000 popula-
tion had left, the bankers said, about SIS ,00C
or $4,000 counterfeit. This counterfeit
money did not show up until the show had
been gone from two to four weeks. have
had several friends to tell me Of present
ing ticket agent at the window, with a
So, $40, and in at least one instance with a
$40 bill out of which to get change for a
ticket; the agent had to go somewhere
else to get the change and did not return.
They generally pull up stakes Saturday
night about midnight when they show on
Saturday, and move Sunday am, etc., etc.
have been told by different men that
there is usually place "for men only,
which means simply"a brothel."
1t would be difficult to name all the meth.
DDS of gambling that are employed in the
ordinary show.
They represent and impersonate vulgar,
profane, corrupt characters; and are pro:
fuse in the use of indecent language and
costumes. Counting the money they get
in exchange for counterfeit and other re-
ce;pts, they usually carry off from a coun-
ty, where they exhibit their depravity,
can show, beyond reasonable doubt, one
real, permanent benefit that accrIes from
the show, l would be glad to place it to
their credit.
A merchant in town asked me the other
day: Are you going to the show ?" refer
ring to the one which just left here. l re-
piled, What have they down there ?
"Well," THE merchant referred to several
methods of gambling including throw
ing ring over knife, and q coOn."
1t is mystery to me how people who
claim to be honest and retined-say moth
ing of ChristiGns-can give their support
in money and time to such an unquestion-
able institution of unmistakable evil. /
believe that the majority of people do not
know of the corruption and corrupting in
fluenceS Of the show, or they would not
give it their support. 1t leads to all sorts
Of evil.
I am glad that Anderson with all her
push and enterprise was wise enough to
see that shows "cost more than they come
to-" and was noble enough to say I'VE shall
have no more shows in Anderson" 1t will
be grand time for our country when ev-
cry city and crossroad passes such prohlb-
tive law against shows.
II people want to see "the animals" de-
mand that menageries, conducted by re-
spectacle men, be placed on exhibition,
without the disgraceful, corrupting con-
comitantS of the ordinary show. An eX-
hibit Of all sorts of animals alone would
be interesting and instructive then ia
theirs and mothers could, with propriety,
"go to show the children the animals" If
a general native sense of right and refine
ment will not kill out the show for lack OF
patronage, the Legislature should pass Law
prohibiting them as public nuisances.,
Secondly: The show, as we usually have
it, is an insult to decency. No respectable
man would subject his wife and daughters
to the coarseness, vulgarity, and indecent
costumes and attitudes under any other
conditions, that they are usually forced to
witness in the show. 1t makes sport OF
Christianity; corrupts and degrades man
manhood; traduceS~ woman, lifting from
over her the sheen Of reserve, modesty
and sanctity which gives her the highest
place among civilized peoples.
1 have never yet fully overcome two
shows attended when was 16-year-old
boy. 1t vitiates the minds Of the young
stamps upon the memory evil suggestions
and takes out of the treasury thousands OF
dollars that might be put to noble. pur'
poses. Geo. Gary-Lee.