Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1889-05-28
WARM THE ASSEMBLY
PRRsBYTRRIANs FIGHT OVER THR PROHI-
BITION QUESTION.
Crosby Opposes Prohibition Resolution and Leaves
the Church in Huff When He is
Defeatsd-A hot Battle
Of Words

day of the Presbyterian General Assembly
opened with the usual devotional exercises.
After the business meeting opened Moder-
ator Roberts called for the report of the
Publication Committee. Rev. Drs. Child
land and Craven responded with brief
statements, after which Judge Wilson,
the President OF the Board, made an ad-
dress. He said that the greatest obstacle
TO the succe1s of the Board was the fact
that by reason of the conduct of the Gen
eral Assembly to the Board, it was con-
stantly regarded as an object of suspicion.
From the time Of the re1nion of the
Church the Board had been held
in an attitude of censure. Under
this condition of things, Judge
Wilson thought the Board could mot
thrive. He did not propose to remain in
the position Of President unless the Board
could be trusted with the details OF the
management. He further stated that he
thought it very improper that the Assem-
bly, should bind the board to certain
rules in business transactions.
The matter was discussed by Rev. DIR.
Prentis DeVeure, of the Dayton Presby-
terry, and Rev. DR.. Phraner, of West Ohes-
ter. The recommendations OF the Stand
ing Committee were then taken up. Only
few of the sections we're adopted, and
the majority were laid on the table. Rev.
DIR. Thompson, for the Committee on Bills
and Overtures, stated that twenty-five
Presbyteries had overturned for an investi-
CATION to discover whether il be advisable
for the Board of Publication to have their
own plant. He was in favor of a commit
tee OF five business men investigating the
affairs of the Board.
Rev. DR.. PhTaner moved es a substitute
the reference of the subject back to the
Board of Publicstion with instructions to
make a moet careful investigation and rem
der a detailed report back to the next Cen
eral Assembly. A motion TO table the
proposition was lost.
Elder Edward Wells, of West Chester,
moved to substitute for Rev. DR.. Phrsner's
motion one that provided that the special
committee of five be instructed to confer
with the business committee of the Board
of Publication on all questions referred to
the special committee, and that joint re-
port be made to the next General Assem-
bly,. Mr.. Wells motion was adopted.
A MERRY ROW OVER PROHIBITION.
The Rev. DR.. Isaac n. Hayes, of Penn
sylvania, Chairman of the Committee on
Temperance, presented report, in which
was embodied resolution expressing sym
pathy with the movement in progress for
complete suppression of the traffic in intox-
icatine liquors.
The Rev. ]. Logan Sample, Of Black
Hills, South Dakota, offered the following
substitute: "Tdat while not endorsing
any political party, we desire to express
our heartfelt sympathy with the wide
spread movement in favor of prohibition,
and extend to it's advocates hearty God
speed"
DR.. Howard Crosby opposed the substi-
tute and said: 81 have fought the sin of
this city for thirteen years and ought to
know something about the subject. There
are two great principles adopted by Chris
tians In this country on the temperance
question. Both seek the destruction of
the saloon One is prohibition and the
other high license. 1t would
he great mistake for the
Presbyterian Church to determine which
is the best method for the purpose II
prohibition was made the law in New York
State the number of saloons would be
multiplied The prohibitionists are po
lisical party, and we have no right TO
pledge our adherence to any political
body"
By a vote of 30 TO 1O5 the substitute
was laid on the table. 1t was resolved
that committee be appointed to confer
with a committee from the Congregational
Church on the temperance question. DR..
Thompson then arose and said that in view
of the fact that many had not understood
the import of the resolution adopted on the
temperance question at the afternoon ses-
sion, he would move the adoption OF the
following resolution in explanation:
Resolved, That the General Assembly in
reaffirming the deliversnce of our former
assemblies calls attention to the deliver
ance of 1888, which says: THAT we earn
estly recommend 10 the ministers and
congregations in our connection aud to all
Others to persebvere in vigorous efforts un-
til laws shall be enacted in every State and
territory of our beloved country prohibit
ing entirely traffic which is the principal
cause of drunkenness and consequent
pauperism, crime, taxation, lamentatioD,
war and ruin to the bodies and souls of
men, with which this country has 80 long
been afflicted"
POLITICAL PROHIBITION.
DR.. Crosby and several others bitterly
opposed the adoption Of the resolution,
claiming that it was an approval of the
action of a political party. II most
st1enueusly object" said DR.. Crosby,
''the word prohibition in 1888 meant an
entirely different thing than it does now"
To-day it means the the third party.
Cries of No No
,.DoeDy tuArUrn oTrT