"GENERAL" BOOTH REFUSED A HEARING.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XXVI, Issue 108, 12 May 1892, Page 3

"GENERAL " BOOTH REFUSED A HEARING.

own benefit," and laughter,) It would be better to hear what ho had to say before they criticised, All the eoheme was for their benefit, but it v/aB impossible to help them without thoir own co operation. Ho was doing all he oould, and if his friend* at the back were not catisfied, he wished they would tell him how he had wronged them, Ho would persevere with hia scheme in spite of all opposition. Here a man pushed fco the platform, and made a number of incoherent ohnrges Hgßinat the Salvation Army, He Bhoutori that they Ind been promised food, but after waking threo or four miles thoy had reoeived a dry crus\ After tho 'General" had threatened to have him looked up, the man retired heaping maledictions on the head ol everybody. ''General" Booth, proceeding, said he had eet up business on heir behalf, and raised the oapital. (At this point tho uproar became so great that the police were fetched, and several of the ringleaders of the disturbance were marched out of tho hall.) Continuing, tho 'JGeuernl said he could not understand the obstruction nor their refusing to hear him, ('Cries of, "We want something to eat," nnd "We want to know whero all the money is gone fco. ') He supposed tho persons who made thoHO n » marks had had some of it. homebody bnd said something about sweating and woudohopping, and he was surprised that his friends did nofc understand his intentions. He gave the workers all tha profits thoy made, if any, or it went towards the general soheme, and he did not personally bent fit from it in any way. Something like £90,000 had already been spent, and thoy were prepared to do more, (" For your own pooket.") He could nol acoept the opposition as the feeling of the great bulk of the meeting— (cheers) —and he would reserve further remaiks ior a iututc occasion. The "General" then resumed his seat, and ns it was useless to prolong the meeting, proceedings wero abruptly closed with the singing of the Doxology in considerable confusion. According to the Standard's account of the meeting sevral " soldiers " having stationed themselves close around, the "Genoral," whose face was white with fear, left tho building.

Tbe Salvation Army invited 301)0 " dowsers " and criminals to meet at the old Grecian Theatre, City Road, on Maroh 11, to hear an explanation of tho progress of ■* General " Booth's social scheme both al Home and abroad, Long before the doors were opened at half -past seven they wero beset by a strange aud motley crowd. All swarmed in at the appointed hour, receiving as they went in a meat pie. The "General's" entry on the platform wa9 greeted with loud cheers, succeeded by some little "booing." "Adjutant " Hosts oame to the front ot the platform to sing a solo, and was greeted with " booing. " Nothing daunted, he exclaimed, '• No, my lads, youWo gol tho wroog keynoto, I'll give you the keynote," His song de°oiibed tho "Generals" tour, and had a icfruia of "Over there," lo wbioh tuna tho dossers fitted their own ribald words. Tho active midoontenta were, it is stated, few in number, and were congregated at .he back ol the hall. The " General's " rising was tbo gignal for load cheers and hisses, and ories ol '* Hallelujah I " He began :— " Now, my dear friends, I shall soon know whither. you want to hear me Bpeak or not. (Interruption,) I am guile certain that by far tho largest portion ol tho audienoe havo come to hear me," Booing and uprour stopped the speech, and the whistles with ■Bhioh the offioeia of tbe army sre acoue« tomed to call lor attention were poworleas, (Th9re ware ories of '* We have oomo here to get aomethiog to eat," " Wo want eomethicg to drink," and " Ohuok him out.") Ec wanted to put them on tho land. (A voice ; " Without any wages," "Go it, old sweater," and oheers.) Ho wanted to tell tUem ol the plan ho laid down twelve pttottta &£9 tot tbeis bcaefit. V'^oryouc