The Columbus dispatch. (Columbus, Miss.) 19??-1922, 1920-01-28
DISCUSSED THE QUALIFI-
CATIONS OF PUBLIC Of
FICIALS SUNDAY
EVENING.
STIR ONG APPEAL
And A Warning to The People
Against Laxity In Administra-
tiOn of Laws-DiscuSsed
Moral Issues.


filled the big auditorium of the First
Methodist church, the pastor, Rev. j
H. Felts, delivered a strong and i'm,
passioned address Sunday on the sub
ject "The Kind of Mayor the City
Should Have"
Rev. Felts read certain passages
from the Bible on city government
its ills and cure. Then came ex-
tracts from personal letters from
such men as Commissioner Roper
DR.. Hardy R. Hayes, u S. Health
Service; W. H. Zinsser, of the Ameri.
can Social Hygiene Association, anG
T. B. Lynch, Associate Director, De-
partment of Public Information, U
s. A. These letters were definite
calls to the Ministry and public spirit
ed sentiment. Then came a personal
statement, 81 stand for Law and Or
der without hesitation, mental reser-
vation, or apology. This fact, coupl-
cd with the teaching of Holy Writ and
the call of men in the service of the
Government constitute the ground
for this message"
The Message in Part.
1t is bad enough when private in
dividpals are immoral, it is deadly
when you have public officials stand
ing for immortality. In a certain
Tenn. town when was boy preacher
a man was elected Mayor and County
Treasurer who was immoral, lewd
and known to be defaulter in office
to the amount Of $2000.00 He got
IN because he Was good handshaker,
remembered names well, and the best
vote getter in the county. Good men
voted for him. Every bad man ell
ected to office has the support Of at
least few good men, Then the
many suffer that the few may make
money. Witness a situation in Col
umbus last year. There were sec
tions of the city where men could not
get needed rest because of the noise
made by running autos, drunken men,
and lewd women. When the situa-
tion was relieved reputable negro bus
mess men said they were getting the
first unbroken rest for many nights
They had not protested because of
their color These things ale COM
mon property. | was born and rear
ed a yellow Dog Democrat. 1t was
common saying that good democrat
and Methodist was sure of heaven
have departed from the faith. | am
of the opinion that hell is well popu-
lated with democratic and Methodists
1t takes more than a theory to get a
man to heaven---nOthing less that
Christ Jesus can do that work.
Three Slogans.
Uncle Sam has given to the reputa,
BILE press three slogans; Thrift;
Americanism, Law and Order. The
final appeal is to the Individual unit
Our officers stand for our ideas Of
government--hence my ballot is
myself in action. What | say on the
street, or in the pulpit may or may
not represent me--but when | cast
my ballot am definitely expressing
myself as to my loyalty to my gov
ernment and my appreciation of my
community. To vote for any mar
who stands for awide open city is t.
stand for that thing myself. And {
wide open city means lawlcssness
Witness the Boston Police strike
Gambling, robbery, rape, and every
train bringing new recruits. Thei
the strong arm of the law was in ac
tion again, and the vermin disap
peared like bugs seeking the darl
places when log is turned over il
the woods.
The Mayors Oath of Office.
tt, solemnly swear that / will
administer justice without respect t,
persons, and do equal right to poo
and rich, and that will faithful.
impartially discharge and perform al
the duties of Columbus, Mississippi
according to the best of my abilit,
and understanding, agreeable to tn
the constitution and laws of the stat
Constitution Of the United States, an,
of Mississippi, and the ordinance
of the city of Columbus, Mississippi
So help me God"
How can man who stands for
wide open city take an oath and keel
it? Elect any man Mayor who vii
disregard such al oath and "th