Show TO CO CONTEST idest FOR FOB RIGHTS the dispatches from oakland call 1 forn ornia la state that the sunday evening va attempt of the salvation army to preach on the beet streets roots in that city re bulted in the arrest of those of the army engaged in the work prom from the reading of the telegraphic account it might be supposed that the salvation jets were proceeding in a defiant man mer and therefore are not entitled to any sympathy in their off ellart art to exercise the right of free speech this ho wp la is not the case as an may m ay be learned in a brief review r alow ux ut lae facts oakland has baa an ordinance which buys that street preaching without the consent ot the mayor shall be deemed an obstruction in view of this the Salvati salvationists for adms time have refrained from their usual custom as aa they did not have the required permit they have sought diligently to secure the mayors con benl enl jul but have failed not because their jDa meetings stings would adlora any actual ob to travel but because the mayor chose arbitrarily to refuse such perm permission leaion saying he would give it to no one on friday evening the final interview took place between ensign wood of the army and mayor davie bavle at which the latter shut off all opportunity for further discussion by flatly refusing the request of the army for a permit to engage in street preaching tor for the next six aix months this placed the army in a situation where it either rhad had to give up its claim to the right to engage in uch services or had to make a fight against the constitutionality of an ordinance ting the arbitrary exercise of such power the police department was notified that the latter course tour had been decided upon koths so the tight was waa declared on and the arrest of the army preachers on sunday evening was expected by them stiem it will be seen that the contest is not simply imply against an ordinance which may regulate street preaching within reasonable limits it is against a measure which makes it possible for an aim official to proceed in SIM an autocratic mauner manner to prevent gathering of ane people which not only may not be inimical to tse tie t se public welfare but may serve a useful purpose in reducing lawlessness by encouraging cou raging people to it a better life per baas the mayor of oakland does not Is see it that way but his to prevent the ordinary street gatherings that are so common in ia countries where the people enjoy an ordinary degree of per personal bonal liberty are blighty inconsistent with the prin caples of popular government whether it be to preach peculiar re legious doctrines doctrine or to promulgate political principles principle if these theae are not condemned by law as ft derogatory to the public good people ought to be permitted to engage therein 8 83 long BB as the rights righta and business of the public are not interfered with no law or ordinance should bould be permitted to stand gives an official power to prohibit peaceful assemblages of the people in public places in their efforts effort to have the oakland ordinance modified so that treet street preaching within reasonable limits may be established ee as aa a right which belongs to the people in politics in religion in science aole noe or in any other branch of dis dia ous ouss aion IoD the salvationists ought to have general sympathy in that respect they are struggling far a principle of freedom |