Evening journal., 1910-07-11
PASTORS WAR
ON FIGHT VIEWS
Want Mayor to Prevent JEFF
frieS-J Johnson Bout From
Being Reproduced Here
WOULD ALSO ASK
GOVERNOR TO ACT

At a special meeting Of the Minis
terial Union. held this morning I'm the
Y. M, c. A. building. the following reso-
luton was adopted in protest against
the showing Of the moving pictures Of
the Jeffries- johnson prizehght in this
city.
Whereas IL Is rumored that we may
have in our city an exhibition of the
moving pictures Of the Jeffries- johnson
prize fight at Reno. and whereas. public
opinion throughout the country as ex-
pressed by churches, educational, and
civic organizations. condemns the pub
lie portrayal Of the fight as demoraliz-
ing;
Resolved. That I'm the interest Of
public morals and social order. we re-
spectfully petition the mayor OF this
city TO suppress any attempt TO give
pictorial illustration of the fisht"
The committee on the drawing-up
Of the resolution we're the Rev. ID. NJ.
Cleland, the Rev. Kensey J. Hammond,
and the Rev. George c. Williams. They
adopted this form from more ex-
tended set drawn up by the Rev. Clin-
ton ID. Wyatt, ID. ID. The meeting was
attendance was due largely to the alb
sence of clergy from the city, and to
the fact that no time had been given
to send personal notices Of the meet
ing None OF the colored ministers was
present, and there we're no Baptis1s or
Presbyterians with the exception OF
the Rev William l.. Campbell, who
has retired from active work. The
Rev. A. de Meares of Christ Church,
Delaware City, was an interested visi-
tor.
Mayors Secretary Gets Protest.
After a brief discussion, the meet
ing adjourned, and the following COM
mittee at once went to the mayors
Office to present the resolution-the
Rev. H. w. Wells, appointed spokes-
man, the Rev. Clinton T. Wyatt. the
Rev. Kensey J.. Hammond, and the
Rev. George c. Williams. Mayor
Spruance was at his home, indisposed
and President Of Council Banning was
also away. so the petition was left
with the mayors secretary, Charles X
Lloyd, who said he would acquaint his
honor with the matter.
Mr.. Lloyd told the committee that
there was little danger of race trou-
BILE as the colored people were
only allowed in one place. neal
Front street. The committee at once
stated emphatic6lly, that the pro-
test had nothing to do with the race
question. but was a protest against
the showins<of pictures of prize
fight
BOmbardment of Signatures.
The meeting. this morning, decided
to reach all the other members of thI
union, and ask them to send thei
) signatures also to the mayor
In the discussion the Rev. Kense
J. Hammond said that prompt actio
by mayors In many other cities ha
obviated the necessity for action o
the part of the clergy. but It was nc
so in Wilmington. He thought tn
influence of such a protest would b
good upon the other counties Of Della
ware. DR.. Wyatt said It would b
a reflection on the city Y its clerg
remained silent in such a matter. Al
ter being barred from cities al
around, he said the pictures Nigh
show here for six months, TO the dis
grace OF Wilmington.
The Rev. w. L. Campbell was tn
only dissenting voice, but he de
nounced the showing of pictures, OBJ
jecting to the ministers as a bod
turning to the civil authorities Il
petition.
DR.. Wyatt said he passed a crow
of seventy-fve white children, as h
was coming to the meeting, playinl
prize-fght, with two boys as .5effrie
and Johnson.
The Rev H. W. Wells said the peti
tion was necessary because past ex
perience had shown that the authori
Nies in this city were not ready 10 act
and had allowed a set of prize-hgh
pictures to be shO VIVA year ago II
Wilmington, which was visited b,
hundreds Of people. He thought tn
ministers were remiss I'm that the
had said nothing upon that occasion
Want Governor to Act, Too.
The Rev. G. c. Williams suggeste
a proclamation by the governor Of IN
state, prohibiting the reproduction c
the brutal affair. the prize-hght, an
said II was the duty Of the Minister'S
Union to let the people Of the city un
derstand that the ministers OF the cit
were a unit in their condemnation 0
showing Of the pictures.
The meeting also adopted the follow
ing resolution. presented by the Re-
ID. NJ. Cleland:
Just as Memorial Day and severs
birthdays show our appreciation q
those who have rendered patriotic ser
vice. and just as special days In IN
churches do honor TO those who hav
served mankind spiritually so Labo
Sabbath should be observed by tn
churches in honor Of the millions q
toilers who daily serve mankind In IN
humber walks Of life"
Resolved. That each minister OF thi
association be asked to take up tn
matter Of labor problems and tn
churches relation 10 them at some con
venient time during the month OF Ser
tember If not possible to do so on th
sabbath preceding Labor Day.