The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1896-08-16
REV. WILLIAM WILKINSON EX-
PLAINS THE BASIS FOR A PIECE
OF NEWS
WHICH THE GLOBE PRINTED.
HE AND OTHER DISTINGUISHED
CLERGYMEN DID NOT HAVE A
CONFERENCE.
HAD SEEN ARCHBISHOP IRELAND
And Other Church Dignitnrfes and
Had Conferred With Chairman
ELI Warner.

Two weeks ago the G. | o b e published
a piece Of news to the effect that Arch
bishop Ireland, Bishop Gilbert, Rev.
DIR. Shutter and Rev William Wilkin-
son, of Minneapolis, had held a con-
ference the day previous and had
talked over the political situation; that
each of them would make one or two
political addresses during the campaign
in the interest of sound money The
afternoon on which the article was
printed, appeared in a St. Paul evening
paper vigorous denial from Arch
bishop Ireland that any such confer
ence had been held
The public at once concluded that
because no conference had been held
the whole story was without founda-
ton, and some of the small fry news
papers criticized the G i o for not
retracting what had been printed after
the Archbishop had said no such con-
ference had been held. The G1ob e
would not have published the story in
the first place had it not known that it
was based upon some fact and that
Rev. William Wilkinson, had said he
talked the matter over with Archbishop
Ireland and Eli Warner. A note was
accordingly addressed to Rev William
Wilkinson in Minneapolis, asking him
for the facts in the case, but the reply
did not come until yesterday, for the
reason explained by Mr.. Wilkinson It
is herewith published and the readers
OF the G o e can see for themselves
how nearly correct was the original
publication:
To the Editor of the Globe.
| have been away from home since Tuesday
of last week, and hence your letter has not
come into my hands until this morning.
suppose the statement that a conference of the
clergy had been held sprang out Of state
ment l gave to a Minneapolis newspaper re-
porter. never said that any conference be-
tween eminent clergy had been held. What
| did say was, and what do say is, that
had that day had long conference with Eli
Warner, the chairman of the Republican state
central committee. who. through Kenneth
Clark chairman of the late fire relief com
mittee, had asked me to call and see him
lWarner) We talked over the political stua-
ton, and the best methods Of campaign.
fuence who is in favor of sound money should
be asked to speak in its defense. and said
that knew, because he himself had told
me, that Archbishop Ireland was in its favor
and that he ought to be asked to say SO
plainly and publicly; that Rev. Marion D.
Shutter, the Well-known minister Of the
NHuiCH VI tL0 heu0em0r, OF minneapolis.
should be asked to speak, and that had met
Mr.. Shutter and that he had told me he
believed the unlimited coinage of silver, as
proposed in the Chicago platform, would
lead to ruin. and I had no doubt he would
speak il asked. I further said that I had
been told by Mr.. Clark that Bishop Gilbert
was in favor of sound money and said that
speech from the bishop, If he would make
one. would be of great service.
The names Of many csergymen of great
power were talked over Mr. Warner and
myself and 1t was understood that all would
be invited to make one or more speeches L
do not understand how the reporter confused
his notes. to write as though a con-
ference of the clergy had been held. The con-
ference was between Mr.. Warner and myself
but all the men named are on the side of
sound currency and l understood from Mr..
warner. they would be asked to advocate
it, and know personally that the archbishop.
Mr.: Shutter, and myself are on that side, and
! know on testimony that Bishop Gilbert
favors it. / know further that no blame at
taches to the G 10 b for its report. 1t came
about through the confusion of a Mime
apolis reporter. And. while am writing, let
me say this. that this question is not one
OF politics. 1t has to do with sound morals,
and II the clergy may not be expected to de-
TEND good morality, / do not know any spe-
cial use for the clergy.
Rev. VIM. A. Wilkinson.
Minneapolis, Aug. Is.