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. 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)

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

3. Ibid.