A Temperance Orator Rides Into Yakima, and the Churches Empty Their Pews for Him
Francis Murphy, who talked three thousand Tacomans into signing the pledge, opens a revival at Switzer's Hall under W.C.T.U. auspices — and the ministers cancel Sunday evening services so the whole town can hear him.
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Francis Murphy, the great temperance orator, who was the means of having thousands of the residents of the Sound cities sign the pledge, arrived in Yakima this morning, and tonight will inaugurate a series of temperance meetings in Switzer's hall. Murphy is without question the most successful of the leading temperance lecturers of the day. In Tacoma alone he secured upwards of three thousand pledges, many of which were made by leading citizens and men who were habituated to the use of liquors. He comes here under the auspices of the W. C. T. U., and the ministers of the gospel are lending their aid to the work.
The first meeting will be held Friday evening at 7:30 o'clock. A special lecture will be given at 2 o'clock Saturday afternoon to accommodate those living out of town. There will also be meetings Saturday and Sunday evenings, and further than that no arrangements have been made; but if the meetings are to continue, announcements to that effect will be made at the hall. The churches have called in their Sunday evening services that all may have an opportunity of attending the revival in the cause of temperance.
“In Tacoma alone he secured upwards of three thousand pledges, many of which were made by leading citizens and men who were habituated to the use of liquors.”
Washington voted itself dry in 1916, four years ahead of the nation, and the W.C.T.U. revival that opened at Switzer's Hall was one of the first turns of that screw. Yakima's arguments over who may sell alcohol, and where, are still arguments about public morality and public space — now fought in council chambers and before the liquor board instead of from a pulpit.
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