The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-10-19
TEMPERANCE IN POLITICS.
The Methodist Ministers Discuss the
Questions Relations to Parties,
And They Decide that They Prefer Sticking
to the Republican Party-Yesterdays
Meeting Of Presbyterian Ministers.

The temperance question was the topic chosen
for discussion at the Methodist ministers meet
ing yesterday morning and the Prohibition par
ty, E. F. Ritter. Sylvester johnson and j. G..
Kingsbury. appeared for the purpose of captur-
ing the euleless gospelers and dragging them
neck and heels into the third party camp.
In moving to extend the courtesy of the meet
ing to the visiting third party, so that they
might express their views, DR.. Mcconnell of
Roberts Park Church, said that he, with others,
who did not fully understand the exact purpose
of the third party, would like to have answered
two questions: ~, Was its purpose to gain the
balance of power, so as to compel prohibition
legislaton or ~, it to gain entire political
supremacy, like the young Republican party
did2
E. F. Ritter said the purpose of the third
party was to obtain political power. which meant
absolute control of the government for tempo
rary balance of power would soon pass away and
do but little good. He said the Liquor League
was unit as against prohibition and for license,
and that as both of the old parties took like
| stand, that admitted liquor men to the ranks of
both. He argued that the only consistent course
for Christian and temperance men was to vote
the third party ticket
J. G. Kingsbury spoke briefly, and of the min
| listers present Rev. j. V. R. Miller, superannu-
ate, thought the people should look to the third
party for relief. Rev. Anderson also thought
the third party the best thing in sight.
Rev. Dashiell believed in sticking to the Re
publican party He charged that at the prohi-
bition convention two years ago liquor men had
participated, and tickets for the convention had
been distributed by a saloon-keeper. He said
further that Ed Shiel, then editor Of the prohi-
bition organ, the Monitor-Journal had come to
the Republican committee and offered to sell out
for $40, 900, afterward lowering his price to So
500.
This brought E. F. Ritter to his feet In a vio-
tention of selling, but wanted to get the Repub-
licans to commit themselves by making written
proposition.
This proceeding on the part of the ingenious
Mr. Shiel did not appear to affect the ministers
favorably, and Mr.. Ritter himself appeared to
feel that he had not made happy rejoinder. AS
some feeling was exhibited over the matter, DR.
Mcconnell insisted that the discussion should
not take personal turn Dr. Tincher spoke
with great force against the separate party
movement He believed if the Republican party
was successful they would refer the question of
prohibition amendment to the Constitution to
the people themselves to he voted upon.
Mr.. Ritter finally said he believed the Prohibi
tionists had made mistake in nominating a
candidate for the Supreme Bench. He said he
intended TO vote for Judge Elliott. He would
also vote for the Republican candidates for the
Superior and Criminal judgeships. Mr.. Ritter
stopped here without going further and reveal
Ing. as he might have done, other third party
mistakes, and the meeting adjourned without
any formal action being taken.