The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-05-10
POLICY OF APAISTS
TO BE DETERMINED AT THE MEET
ING OF THE SUPREME COUNCIL.
liam Mckinley, 1t Is Said, will Be
n Bone of Contention.

WASHINGTON, May 9.-The annual con-
vention of the Supreme Council of the
American Protective Association which viii
be called in Washington on May IL viii be
the most important TO the organization OF
any meeting in its history. Two questions of
policy ere to be passed on. one of them re-
lating 10 the part TO be Played by the or
ganization in the impending presidential
campaign. the other the project of establish
ing a permanent headquarters in Washing
ton to influence legislation. Incidentally,
there will be an election of officers; decla-
ration of principles for publication will be
framed on the lines of last years announce
ment, and the financial question, it is an
ticipated. may break into the deliberations
a disturbing factor. Some go members
comprise the Supreme Council of the order.
They represent the various State branches.
the representation of each State being pro-
portionate to the A. p. A. members therein.
Among the members who are now in the
city discussion is focused upon presidential
matters. The action OF the executive COM
mittee of the advisory board. which met in
uh.bsS an atiacS "n Wcn,e ecen. ana
bone of contention. Thirteen members con-
stitute the executive committee OF this
board. Seven of the committee is a quorum
for the transaction of business. Warm par
tisans for and against Mckinley are num-
bered among the councillors. and those
friendly TO Mckinley will endeavor to force
the Supreme Council 10 disavow the exec
utive committees declaration. The platform
to be framed will have for its chief planks
the absolute separation of church and state;
no government aid for church institutions,
and more restrictive immigration laws. A
strong movement has been afoot In the
Western branch of the order to secure q
declaration advocating the free coinage OF
silver as one plank of the platform. How
strong this will prove remains to be shown,
but II will be fought by the Eastern dele
gates and by some others who believe the
financial question to be without the domain
of the organization. Nevertheless, opponents
of this plank fear that 1t Will be adopted.
The national headquarters of the A. p. A.
at present are at Chicago, but the removal
TO Washington Is thought 10 be assured.
The establishment of the headquarters here
means that the order will take more active
part in politics than 1t has in the past. Its
representatives here will be expected 90
watch legislation for the detection OF meas
ures opposed to the A. p. A. One require
positions of supreme president and secre-
tary is that they will reside in this city.
served as president for three terms, will
leading candidates are Colonel Bowers. of
Iowa, the founder of the order; Judge ].
II. ID. Stevens, of ST. Louis, and DR.. ]. w.
Ford, of Troy, n. Y. Supreme Secretary c.
T. Beatty. of Chicago, will be a candidate
The Kentucky delegates to the Supreme
Council are opposed to the organization in
dorsing any of the presidential candidates.
State President Meeker, of Kentucky. said
to-day: Kentucky Is unequivoeally opposed
10 the Endorsement OF any candidate of
any party for the presidency and the for
nation or new party at this early stage
is opposed to the A. p. A. becoming a
partisan OrgaQiZatiOn.'