The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1912-04-04
PRIEST FLAYs SOCIALISM
Rev. Charles Goetzinger Takes Place of
Advertised Speaker and Talks to
Great Crowd for More Than an Hour.
No Questions Taken Care of.

| The expected debate between DR..
David Goldstein, a famous Catholic
lecturer and convert from Socialism,
with w. F. Ries, a leader among the
Socialists of the country which was
scheduled to be held at the Rhode
Opera House on Monday night, failed
TO materialize and crowd which
packed the opera house from the pit to
the last seat in the gallery was great
~ disappointed. DR.. Goldstein failed
to arrive in Kenosha and up to the
time thea meeting closed no word was
received from him. 1t is supposed
that there had been some conflict with
his dates. The arrangements for DR..
Goldstein to speak in Kenosha were ar
ranged by the late Rev. B. Elskamp
some time ago and the only explana-
tion that can be given for the failure
of the distinguished speaker to appear
is that there must have been some mis-
take in routing his itinerary.
Ries who was to have been the
champion Of the Socialists, was on
hand at the meeting and with him were
great number of the supporters of
the socialistic doctrine The word
had been noised about that the meet
I ing would be sensational and as early
as seven o'clock the hall began to fill.
Half an hour before the hour set for
the lecture there was not seat to be
had in the theatre and more than
| five hundred people were turned away
when the police, who had gone to the
theatre to take care of any possible
trouble, locked the doors of the thea
tire and refused to admit others. Lat.
er the doors were unlocked but an Of
fcer was stationed at every door to
keep the crowd from storming the
building.
At the hour set for the beginning Of
the meeting DR.. Goldstein had not ar
rived, but convinced that he would ar
rive on a train within few minutes
the crowd was kept interested by a
picture show. It was a quiet and or
derby crowd and it sat through the
pictures for more than hour with
out a murmer. Then hoping against
hope that Dr. Goldstein might, yet ar
rive the Rev. Charles Goetzinger, who
had been active in arranging the pro-
gram for the evening, took the plat
form and the curtain was rung up. On
| the platform were members of the ST.
| Michael Society. Father Goetzinger
had not prepared himself for an adj
dress and although he was aware of
the fact that a big proportion of the
crowd had come to criticize he fear
lessly took the place of DR.. Goldstein
and launched into discussion of So
cialism He was vigorous in his sup
port Of the stand that the Catholic
Echurch had taken against Socialism.
/ He declared that theoretically Soci-
alism was Impractical and that in the
practical life it was impossible. He
declared that Socialism was poor
substitute for religion. He put some
humor into his impromptu address and
made many happy hits against the
] Socialists. He was given respectful
4 hearing and only once or twice during
the hour IS address was he in any way
interfered with by the Socialists.
These people chuczle over the fact
that DR.. Goldstein did not arrive and
after the<meeting was over crowd of
four or FIVE hundred gathered in front
of the opera house and several of the
Socialistic speakers addressed them.
1t was nearly midnight before the
crowds dispersed.
Father Goetzinger had made no eff
! fort to take up the questions from the
Social Democrats and he declared that
he had not prepared himself o take
the place Of DR.. Goldstein, but assured
the crowd that when Dr.. Goldstein did
reach Kenosha he sWould take care of
all these questions and would be will
ing. to discuss the matters pertaining
to the big issue fairly.
The priest made plea for more in
terest in public affairs on the part of
the people and declared that what the
people wanted was honesty and not
grumbling against existing conditions.
There was absolutely no trouble of
any kind either during the meeting
or after it was over. Tie only dis
courtesy shown was the fact that a
large body Of the audience started to
leave the house before Father Goet-
Finger had concluded his remarks.
Later announcements will be made
in regard to the time of the coming
Of DR.. Goldstein to Kenosha.