Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1893-03-10
FLOCK GROWING LESS.
ANOTHER PHASE OF THE STREET RAILWAY
STRIKE DEVELOPING.
Some Sentiments Of Rev. ]. A. Fullerton as EI-
pressed in an Interview Misinterpreted-SOms
Fifty Attendants Dissent From the Flock.
DR.. Fullerton Will Breach on the
Subject Sunday Morning.

There have beeu various troubles
growing out of the present street rail-
way difficulty, but perhaps the most IN
expected is the one in the Zane Street
Methodist Church. 1t appears that the
pastor Of this church, Rev. j. A. Fuller
ton, who is outspoken and decisive ip
his views, gave vent to some opinions
along with other pastors in paper two
weeks or more ago.
His views differed materially from
those Of the other reverend gentlemen,
in that he did not advocate arbitration,
and deplored strikes and roundiy de-
nounced riotous conduct. His state
ment caused great deal Of dissatisfac-
ton among the sympathizers OF the
strikers, and the Arbitration Commit
tee of the Trades Assembly in the series
Of cards that appeared in print shortly
after frequently mentioned his name,
bringing him forward as an enemy OF
the workingman.
Certain parties also waited, upon the
members of his flock, and persuaded
them TO absent themselves from the
church, for in so doinG they would be
helping on the cause of the strikers.
Now, the congregation Of the Zane
Street church embraces quite a number
OF workingmen, and they were so sue
cessfully importuned that one by one
they gradually failed to show up at the
services, and quite an appreciate fall-
ing off is the result.
'Do you know" said DR.. Fullerton,
last night, "thatI understand l have
been called all kinds of names by the
members Of the Trades Assembly, and
all on account of that short interview
which appeared in one Of the papers a
short time ago, and which has
been so garbled and miSinterpreted
by certain people outside. Why, three
of the members of my church came to
me the other day and asked why l
should have given vent to such Ian
guage, and when | asked them If they
had read the interview, they said they
had not, but had been told lot OF
things that had never appeared In 1t.
Has this trouble really affected the
attendance upon your church," asked
the reporter. -,
eyes, l must say that it has" said
the Doctor; "perhaps some fifty persons
have abSented themselves from the SER
vices. None of the regular members OF
the church have left, but quite num-
Der of those termed the floating part or
the congregation have failed to put in
an appearance of late weeks. 1T has
been caused by miScOnception of my
remarks. have been accused
by the Trades Assembly OF
todying, to the aristocrats and
capitalists, and of ignoring the rights Of
the workingman. Now, as a matter or
fact there is no warmer and truer friend
of the workingman than myself, and L
suppose | have delivered more sermons
and made more addresses in his behalf
since have been in Wheeling than any
other minister for the same length OF
time. | am member OF the Ancient
Order OF United Workmen, and have
also made several speeches before the
patriotic orders of Mechanics. | said in
my interview that | was not in favor OF
strikes, and certainly l am not, as
believe they disrupt the community
and impoverish the people, and this is
again and again exempli1ed in foreign
cities where have seen it in operation.
/ never said one word about unions; /
believe they are all right, and for GER
tain purposes should exist. My re-
marks were directed, not against the
union as principle, but against the
lawlesSness, the assaults, threatening
of life and destruction Of property,
where l believe the law should step in
with heavy hand"
"What action will you probably take
In the matter to vindicate yourself?'
asked the reporter.
Next Sunday morning | shall take
up my entire discourse with this topic,
and propose to explain in detail my
situation in the matter. | shall
nose especially endeavor to set
Alright certain erroneous impress
sions that seemed to have
gotten abroad that / am foe to the
workingman. l would invite every
workingman to be present, and with
their reason aud intelligence they can
soon see whether or not l have been
Justly maligned. l should like also to
appear before the Trades Assembly and
make an address, but hardly expect
they would grant me an audience"