The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1913-04-15
The Pines.

Again attention is being directed to
what is known as the ''Pine district" of
this county and the stories that are being
published are of such nature as to cause
wonder even among those who were of the
opinion that they were acquainted with
conditions In that part of the county. But
it appeared to be left to Miss Kite to
give us the stories which she puts down as
facts. That Miss Kite is employed or is
acting under the State Board of Charities
and ought necessarily make good some
how does not enter into this subject. She
speaks positively and with the assurance
that she can substantiate her statements.
In Philadelphia paper yesterday there
was another story written from Vincen-
town and which appears to be sn inter
view with the Rev. Alexander C. Bostwick
There are three pictures connected with
the story. not the least prominent OF
which is that of the Rev. Bostwick. The
story speaks of Rev Bostwick as rector OF
Trinity church here in the heart of the
pines" Vincentown people will probably
not relish being placed right Gin the heart
of all this published degradation.
Following is a sample of the interview
with the minister. He says:
"The vicious are the hardest to deal
with. Some time ago one committed q
centage of the pine population, but they
dicfn of 81
village community. On Saturday nights
they pick bar room brawls and nearly
every bad mark that Is made against O
village can be traced TO one of this quarrel
some lot. As a rule they are cowardly
fighters.
81 have seen them kick mans face to
pulp aud leave him bleeding on the
pavement. They break up the peaceful
conditions of the family, ofttimes by the
suavity that accompanies Yiciousness,
stealing the affections of a wife or betray-
ing a daughter. have had some of this
vicious element to deal with lately. j
have known a husband to bring his own
wife to the town assessor and become q
legal witness to proposed marriage be-
tween her and her cousin, the cousin be
ing a married man. hold In my posses
sion to-day the affidavit which the husband
made"
After reading this broad statement the
question will arise In the minds of somt
people whether Rev. Bostwick has don,
his duty as citizen. In another place h,
says little can be done by the operation
of the criminal law or by brute force,
but is he the one to judge that7 He doe
not make any halting charges. He say
some time ago one committed a murder
The criminal may have been brought t.
the bar of justice, In which case he doe
not enter into the controversy. But h
also says he has seen man haye his fac
kicked to pulp and left bleeding on tn
sidewalk, and that he holds an affidayi
showing case of utter depravity If nc
of criminal act.
, 1t looks as If this matter is up to til
Prosecutor of the Pleas Let the Reveren
. Mr.. Bostwick and Miss Kite be brougl
before the next grand jury and give a
the facts In their possession to that bod,
Let us see whether ''little can be done b
the operation of the law" We are NJ
yet ready to believe that our courts a
unable to cope with this subject and th
1t must devolve upon one or two people
y promulgate plans which will purify Il
: atmosphere. We are not eontending tn
> there are not conditions In ...the Pine
that need correcting, but let the eviden
be given to the grand jury under oat
without SO much newspaper writin
glorifcstion of agents and pictures of {
fciating clergymen. Let's try the law.