KEANE, John J.

Archbishop John J. Keane

KEANE, John J. (Ballyshannon, County Donegal, Ireland, Sept. 12, 1839-Dubuque, IA, June 22,1918). Second of Dubuque's ARCHBISHOPS. Rev. Keane was named to succeed Archbishop John HENNESSY on July 24, 1900. While in Washington, D.C., Keane founded the Carroll Institute for Catholic young men and the Tabernacle Society that worked among poor churches throughout the United States.

Keane was a zealot in the cause of temperance and took nearly every opportunity to speak out against the evils of liquor. On March 31, 1901 while speaking at ST. RAPHAEL'S CATHEDRAL he stated:

         I have been told and I was ashamed to hear 
         it that the liquor traffic controls the city 
         government in Dubuque. If I thought the people 
         in Dubuque were in sympathy with the saloons 
         in their damnable business of destroying men's 
         souls I would send in my resignation to Rome 
         immediately and would leave Dubuque double quick. (1)

In launching his crusade against the sellers of liquor in Dubuque, Archbishop Keane announced that he wished to have all bars closed on Sunday. He presented many temperance sermons and organized Happy Home, Veronica Leagues, and other abstinence organiations. (2) Showing his influence and that of the Law and Order League, the saloon keepers in 1907 agreed to: (2)

           a. Sunday closing
           b. opening not earlier than 5:00 a.m. to later than
              11:00 p.m. on weekdays
           c. no screens obstructing view of bar from the street
              during times when the bar should be closed
           d. no sales knowingly to those having taken the
              drink cure; minors or drunkards
           e. no sales to persons whose wife, husband, mother,
              father, guardian, ward or employer give notice
              forbidding the same
           f. no gambling with slot machines or other similar
              devices
           g. no obscene or immoral pictures
           h. no dancing or other like form of amusement or
              entertainment
           i. no females employed in the place
           j. no using of rear door when place should be closed
           k. no wine rooms
           l. no FREE LUNCHES
           m. no music
           n. place to be conducted in a quiet, orderly manner

The Law and Order League considered the settlement, but then added the stipulation that all bars within three hundred feet of a school had to be closed within one year. This would have put many bar owners out of business and negotiations on June 9, 1907 did not look promising. (3)

On June 11, 1907 compromise was achieved. The saloon owners agreed that no bars would be opened within 300 feet of a school. (4) On June 16, 1907 every bar in the city or county of Dubuque was closed for the first time in fifty years. Violations meant a fine of no less than $200 or more than $1,000 and not less than three months in the county jail or more than six months. Both a fine and jail time could be given at the discretion of the Court. (5)

He was also remembered for his aid to Saint Joseph's College (now LORAS COLLEGE).

Keane's service in Dubuque was shortened by poor health that forced his retirement in 1911. He was succeeded by Rev. James J. KEANE.

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Source:

1. "Decried Saloons," Dubuque Daily Telegraph, April 1, 1901, p. 2

2. "Saloons Close 1st Time in Fifty Years," Dubuque Herald, June 16, 1907, p. 1A

2. "Today Last 'Wet Sabbath,' Dubuque Herald, June 9, 1907, p. 1A

3. Ibid.

4. "Saloon Cases Are Settled," Dubuque Herald, June 11, 1907, p. 1A

5. "Saloons Close 1st Time in Fifty Years," Dubuque Herald, June 16, 1907, p. 1A