Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1912-11-02
MINISTER'S IGNORE
POLITICAL APPEAL
Emphatically Refuse to Read
Notice Sent by Wig
lance" Committee.

puDllclty.
But he i~nterposes as a defense tht
fact that he is working for the bet
terment of industrial conditions. III
has been.doing SO for years, n Is
well-known expert on industrial con
ditions.
The Vigilance Committee, however
first came into the limelight at
mass-meeting exactly ten days before
election day with a very evident bias
toward one of the mayoralty eandi-
dates.
Opposed to the Vigilance Commit
tees idea of reform is that of MT
Stelze. He says that his efforts will
be ito secure a square deal for little
children in industry, for women in the
Industrial field. for underpaid ano
overworked men,"
Rabbi Solomon Foster, of the Con-
gregation B'nai Jeshurum, is one wha
frowns upon the endeavor of the
Vigilance League to have it's partisan
politics expounded upon in syna-
g and church.
.'While it is the duty of the church
or synagogue 50 to teach and inspire
It's members to be guided by princi-
pies of truth, honor and intelligence
sin all affairs and on all occasions
of life he said, 1T does not seem to
me that it Is within the province of
the religious organization to enter
sactively upon any campaign, the is
sues of which can readily be grasped
by men thinking for themselves
The religious organization, to be
sure, must be deeply concerned about
-. - ..1if-1f,A-. 49,
step to the attainment OF the truly
righteous life, but it must recognize
as one of the limitations of life that
Righteousness cannot be hurried or
forced upon men if it is to be endG,-
ing.
#s.The business of the religious or
ganization is to prepare men for citi-
zenship in the ideal commonwealth
and then the citizens themselves I'M
der the inspiration of the religious
s organization will become the cham
pons of righteousness in any gwen
contest"
If the religious organizations will
not keep free from entangling alli-
snces with partisan politics it is
easily conceivable that they become
involved in contests among them
selves on purely partisan issues"
Monsignor Isaac P. Whelan, rector
of st. Patrick's Cathedral, who said
he. had received a copy of the leagues
appeal. will not read or refer to it to-
sH1orrow.
I'VE believe in keeping politics out
of the pulpit" said M%onsignor
Whelan. while I received one of
these notices 1 shall not read it in
the church for we never read politi-
cal notices from the pulpit. These
people may do as they please; if they
want to do that sort of thing I don't
believe in critieizing them, for II ]
were to say anything against their
method they might think tina I, be-
Ing a Catholic priest, opposed it
simply because it came from Profess
tant sources, and that is not SO.
I'VE believe that we cannot teach
anything definite in regard to poll
tics. Catholic priests nave their own
individual political opinions, but these
are never expressed in church."
The Rev. Elliott White, rector of
Grace Church, admitted that he had
received a circular letter from the
GOIlInlll6G OIL Olb I1uuuT6Q DIdCLl-
cally asking the support for a certain
political candidate for mayor, al
though no names were mentioned.
When asked by an Evening Star re-
porter what action he was going to
take in the matter Mr.. White replied
that he had o paid much attention
TO the missive.
II certainly do not believe in
preaching from the pulpit .hat any
political candidate is better fitted for
a certain office han another,' he
said. "It is not a minister's business.
4 minister should be concerned only
with the spiritual welfare of his par
ishioners, and when he has fulfilled
his duty in this regard he should be
satisfied. / certainly do not think
that the pulpit is the proper place
from which to air political views, and
it has always been my experience
that the minister who dabbles j n
politics usually makes a mess of It.
IN worldly matters such as this a
mar of the world will outwit a
preacher of the gospel every time.
At least that has always been my ex-
p~erience," Mr.. White declared. II am
@ ~ btllCNtI III llt Olu dudkE,
Every man to his trade" he added.
Il am just as much in favor Of a
Clean city as anyone" Mr.. White
continued, "and continually advocate
civic righteousness, but as for saying
that one candidate will purge the
city. if elected, while the other will
permit vice to flourish, ] think that is
going a little bit too far. Political
candidates always make promises be-
fore election. but how are we to know
that they viii carry out these pledges,
] feel much the same way about this
whole proposition as a certain promi-
aIent Boston minister, who was asked
by a committee of citizens to preach
from the pulpit in favor of a move
ment for public lighthouses.
THE minister received the members
Of the committee who waited upon
him very ~courteously, listened to their
arguments, and then replied: When
I am satisfied that l have accom-
plished the moral cleanliness of my
people, / will speak to them regarding
this matter
NO, ] will not advocate any politi-
cal candidate or platform from my
pulpit" Mr.. White said, in conclu-
sion.
Rev. Mr.. stelzIc Pleads Guilty.
The Rev. Mr.. Stelzle, in a letter tc
The star. says:
Dear Sir-I am charged with max
ing a direct bid for the vote of the
aurchmen of Newark, according t