The Bridgeport evening farmer. [volume] (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1866-1917, 1911-09-19
A POLITICAL SERMON.

Those who want light upon the
question, why don't men go to
church," are invited to a perusal of
the latest sermon of Rev. Gerald H.
Beard. who, while Intellectually as
honest as he knows how to be, is, yet
unconsf1ous that he reflects the
views u those in his own congrega-
ton, who are not intellectually hon.
est, and have no intention of being 80,
who are not indealists, and who don't
care what individual pulls their
-chestnuts out of the fire. Just now,
and for some years past, these gentle-
men. who are very practical gentle
men. have been annoyed. not to say
-chagrined, because the mayor Of the
city, compelled one of the city's mo-
nopoNes to let go Of certain advan-
tages obtained under a most won
derfuI instrument, called the 20 year
water contract. This monopoly, by
virtue of the mayors strong stand,
was deprived Of an annual income
approaching $4,000 now which
would nave been. much greater in the
future. This same mayor also had
the temerity to advocate public own
ership Of the electric light works. and
equal taxation for, all forms of prop
erty. IT, big. which escapes. as well
as the Htie. which does not escape.
From this time the attacks Of gem
flemen. Of whom Mr.. Beard is type.
.fhonest enough, but unconscious of
the forces which are really. in. the
saddle. and Of the gkme that is real
" being carried on.) were directed
against the mayor.
1t must be remembered that base
ball has been played in Bridgeport
on Sunday for years, without the OPP
position which recently greeted it.
when George z. Hill was a mem
Der Of the, police board, Steeplechase
was run on Sunday. and had been
run during many years. There was
during this period no clerical oppo-
sition. or little.
But coincidentally with the OPPOSE
zion to Mayor Buckingham Of power
ful interests, having l. strong motive
to secure his elimination from public
9ife. it happened that gentlemen like
Mr.. Beard found themselves power
fully moved to bitterly oppose what
before was scarcely noticed. and the
burden of their tune is. don't vote
Tor Mayor Buckingham" which, we
take It, they will scarcely deny
There is some measure of talk of
other officials, city court officials.
prosecutors and the like. This seems
to be merely talk. But when We
get to, Mayor Buckingham the meas
nre Of 1.-THE effort is in votes. The
advice 10 intended to be political.
What MI. Beard means by his fine
text about Standing by consenting''
&, -Don't vote for buckingham"
That is what the aforesaid gentle
men prominent in. his, church want
him to mean, that is what they mean
themselves They have had enough
Buckingham,and they intend to get rid
of him if psuedo religious crusade
will do it. But they haven't the
least intention of getting rid of the
city court, or the prosecutors.
The pulpit must not stand by ana
zee mayor demand Justice of the
public service. corporations of Bridge
port Does not the mayor favor
Sunday baseball? Then out with
him. A mayor who would favor Sun
day baseball would strike a defense
less public service under the belt,
would beard a Mellen in his den. or
demand that the wealthy contribute
their share of taxes. OF such a.
man in fact all sorts of reckless row.
dyism might be expected.