Perth Amboy evening news., 1919-06-06
Public Opinion
THE CASE OF FATHER GROSS

THE CASE OF FATHER GROSS
lEDITOR EVENING NEWS:
1 have read, for several months
your editorial and news u~tterance'
on the recent trials of Rev. Francis
Gross, the pastor of an important
Catholic parish in u city. l regret
to say that they were generally ting
ed with prejudice against Father
Gross. They did not evidence thai
spirit of fairness which one expects
in an American newspaper. 1t seem
ed as though they were meant to stir
up feeling against Father Gross, and
to influence the community against
him in his trials. Might it not have
been better to have left the matter
Ito the courts where it properly be-
longed?
But not content with an attitude
so unworthy, you again assail Father
Gross by news items and by editorial,
now at the close of his second trial.
Is not this rather unusual in a disin-
terested paper? Does it not show
bias and bitterness? For most of us,
two trials on any indictment are
lsuficient. One of the oldest and
most honored members of the New
Jersey bar AYERS that in all his prac-
tice as a lawyer, he has never known,
in our State, a CRIMINAL case to be
brought to trial a third time!
IN your eu1IOTldl yOd 6oy LAOoS
charges for one welding as much in
~iuence as he does in the community,
etc. And again: q. . The
priests usefulness in the community
as a whole is nil, no matter now ne
may be regarded by his congrega-
ton"
Do not these assertions contradict
each other? If Father Gross pos
sesses so much influence, certainly
lhis usefulness in the community can
not be nil!
And if, as you imply. Father Gross
retains the regard and esteem OF MS
l-congregation, there is an important
| element in our community who still
Appreciate the priests full
Some months ago certain
ltial gentlemen of Perth Amboy con-
icIuded that the usefulness Of the edi-
tor OF the Perth Amboy News was
finished in the community. 1t was
limited in your news columns that
they were about to undertake to es-
tablish an opposition paper.
1 instance this to show that opin-
ions on usefulness differ. And since
none of us is perfect, might 1T not De
well to have consideration for one
another? Men, especially men IN
public stations. make enemies. We
are all liable to hold our own view
point, the viewpoint of the world.
I can hardly imagine that the
prosecutor of the county will again
ltrv Father Gross on this indictment.
I'VE know Mr.. Stricken as an esttma-
BILE gentleman of sound Judgment and
III, 1t can hardly be an Off
cial announcement of his intention
which you make in your news col
Iumns. Sensible men know h diff
ference between prosecution and per-
lsecution.
If Father Gross is tried a third
time his case will be no longer per-
lsonal to him. The cause will be,
whether a Catholic priest is to be
treated with the same justice and
1.-THE same spirit as n other citizen.
There is grave danger that bitter re-
Iligious antipathies will De stirred. II
Twill not be good for our community
We have in Perth Amboy citizens
of many races, many n~ationalitles
and many forms of worship. Hitler
to we have got along in peace and
friendship. The agency that will de-
stroy the amity which prevails vii
bring the curse of religious and racial
Idissension upon u city and oui