Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-03-30
MINISTER'S MEET.
roRTY-FrvE OF THEM CONFER ON TIE
LocAL-0PTI0H QUESTION.
Resolutions Adopted Sustaining the Local
optionists-Hov the Colored Vote
Of the City Will be Cast.

forty.f5e ministers lMethodist, Baptist'
Episcopal, Presbyterian, and Friendsl
met in the mission-room Of the Second
Baptist church at IL o'clock yesterday
to confer in reference to the interests oil
local option. A number Of other min
isters sent excuses for their absence
and expressed their hearty sympathy
with the local-option movenent.
THEY wILLvoTE FOR SoLICENsE.
twas stated that sllof the Protestant
ministers Of the city white and col
ored) had been seen, and that all OF
them would vote for "no license"
Rev. John Jasper sent word that he
could not attend the meeting, but
"would 60 against whiskey."
ORGANIZED.
Rev. DIR. W. +. Edwards was called
to the chair, Rev. j. I. Belts was ap-
pointed secretary, and the meeting was
opened with prayer, led by Rev. X. X.
iiowison. Rev. w. p. Wright, secre-
tary. and George W. Mayo, Esq. chair
man Of the city committee, stated the
object Of the meeting.
RESOLUTIONS.
The following resolutions were Of
fered by Rev. DR.. j. William Jones
who stated that they had been unani-
mously adopted at the last meeting of the
Baptist Minister'S Conference), and after
remarks by Revs. X. r. Howison, Of
the Third Presbyterian church; DR..
A. c. Bledsoe, of the Broad-Street
Methodist church; j. II. Holmes,
OF the First African church Mr.. Hew-
lett. Of the Methodist church tcoloredl
William Troy. of the Second Baptist
church (colored); Professor Vassar, Of
the Richmond Theological Institute for
colored preachers; K. Wells, Of the
Ebenezer chur:h; Daniel Tucker,
of the FifIh-Street Baptist church
(colored) Professor j. Z. Jones,
of the Richmond Theological In
stitute; W. p. Wright, Of the LAUREL
Street Methodist church; Mr.. Payne,
of the Fourth lcolored) Baptist church
Mr.. Cain, of St. Philips ,colored)
Episcopal church; and W. +. Evans, Of
Park Place Methodist church, the reso-
lutions were unanimously and enthusi-
asticslly adopted by rising vote, as
follows:
Resolred by The ministers of the
Gospel Of the city Of Richmond here
assembled IN onftrence, |, That we will
give our support to local option at the
polls.
,. Without neglecting our regular
ministerial duties for the purpose, cur
personal influence shall be exerted TO
lead others to vote as we propose to
vote ourselves.
3. While regarding questions politi-
cal as wholly unsuitable to the pulpit,
we shall not hesitate to inculcate upon
our congregations the duty of using the
ballot as any other trust from God on
the side of truth and righteousness.
THE CoLoRED CLERGY.
The colored preachers were especially
called out and asked to express their
views, .nd without exception they
spoke enthusiastically in favor Of
local option and OF their purpose
to 90 everything in their power
to carry their people with them.
They emphasized the great interest
their race has in the question, spoke OF
the curse the bar-rooms are to their
people. and expressed the confident
hope that a majority Of the colored
voters Of Richmond will vote against
license.
AN OUTSIDER VIEW.
A note was read from friend who
had overheard a Saloon-man say, We
are safe if we can secure the niger
preachers" and the opinion was ex-
pressed that "the saloons must go if
that is their dependence"
HOW WTHELOCAL-OPTIONIsI : REGARD
IT.
The whole meeting was an enthusias-
tic one. and the local-optionists re-
gaTded it as a very important and en-
couIaging Inauguration Of a hearty and
cordial cooperation on the part Of the
most influential preachers Of the city
white and colored.
Adjourned with the benediction by
Rev. Mr.. Payne.