The Washington herald., 1911-09-11
SAYS POLICEMEN
|. HELP CLERGYMAN
TO GET TRADE
Rev. W. 1. McKenney Finds
New "Cappers."
CAMPAIGN is GROWING,

That even park policemen in the i'm
mediate neighborhood of City Hall are
suspected of acting as "cappers" for G.
J. S. Hunnicutt, the marrying parson,
is alleged by Rev. DR.. w. l. McKenney,
pastor of the Wesley NJ. E. Church, who
has entered upon a campaign against the
system in vogue with certain so-called
ministers of the Gospel of seeking matri-
monial business"
COMPLAINTS POUR IN.
Charges that runners" are employed
by these self-styled parsons and that
they are paid commissions on matri-
monial trade have been heard at the
City Hall from time to time. Never
before. however, have the complaints
been so numerous and the demands that
| the practice be brought to an end so
| strong and determined. The chief JUS
tice of the District Supreme Court has
| been asked to investigate the matter
and put a stop to the practice by revok-
ing the permits Of those ministers who
employ such methods.
ON Saturday morning. when going
| through the park on his way TO the
City Hail." said Rev. Dr. McKenney yes
| terday, Julius Moeller asked a park
policeman whether marriage licenses
were issued at that place. The police
| man. instead OF giving the desired in
| FSr,, lon, hat he
had engaged a minister to perform the
| ceremony. MOeller said that my services
had been secured for that purpose"
| II cannot think why the officer should
ask such a question" said DR.. McKen
ney. unless he probably is also in tbs
employ OF Hunnicutt.'
De VrIes Joins Fight.
Rev. Or. De Vries. rector of St. Mark's
Episcopal Churc., has assured Rev. Mr..
Mckenney OF his support in the matter,
and told him he would inform Bishop
Harding upon his return to this city
of the deplorable state OF affairs and
suggest his assistan e in ridding the city
of marrying parsons" Rev. J. J,
Muir. a well-knOwn Baptist minister OF
the District. has also Joined the move
ment, as have numerous other clergy
men.
The campaign which is being waged
by Rev DR.. McKenney has attracted the
attention of ministers elsewhere, as is
shown by a letter received by Rev. Mr.
McKenney from Rev. r. l.. Wright, OF
Hagerstown. Md, formerly OF McKen-
| Dire VI. (. Church Of this city. a copy
of the letteri follows:
Dear Brother MCKenney: I have
| learned from yesterdays Washington
Herald that you are after Rev. G. J. S
Hunnicutt. l am glad to know tina
something is in motion along that line
| He has prostituted one OF the sacred
| ordinances of the church into a system
OF graft and barter. While l was a
! McKerdree this gentleman was licensed
| TO eXhOrt. This was against my bes
| Judgment. though l did not oppose II
| because he was backed up in his appli
cation by one of my leading officials
He soon became insubordinate, and hi!
! license was not renewed. He asked fo
! the license at the first time, stating
! that he just wanted some authority L
| eXhort at the downtown missions. Your!
truly, II. L. WRIGHT"
VIII Push Campaign.
Rev DR.. McKenney said last night HI
would bring the matter to the attention
of the next meeting of the preachers anc
ministers of the Methodist EpiscOpa
Church. of this city, and that he woulC
not rest until the existing abuse hac
been done away with.