The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-09-08
MINISTERS IN A STEW.
Don't Know Whether to Sup
port Morrill, or Not.
So Will Sing Gospel Songs and
Praise the Lord
By Getting Up %Religious Temper
ance Revival''-The Venerable
Mr. Fisher Thinks That Nc
Kinley Should be Voted
for as a Religious
Duty.


| Under the direction of Rev. H. D.
/ Fisher, who came within one of being
chaplain of the last lower house of
! congress, the Methodist ministers of
Topeka and vicinity discussed state
and national politics at their meeting
yesterday afternoon.
Rev. Mr.. Fisher led off with a paper
on the duties of the preacher in poll
tics. The paper was distinctively Re
publican for Mr. Fisher is that way.
He read many figures to prove that the
only safe thing to do was to adopt the
gold standard He read figures to
show the helpless condition of the
workmen in free silver countries and
said that it was the duty of patriotic
men to vote for Mckinley and the gold
standard. He advised preachers to
talk Mckinley wherever they could do
so. He believed a preacher should take
an active interest in politics.
Rev. J. A. Staveley of the Martin &
Dennis church inquired whether if it
was right for one man to preach Nc
kinley and the gold standard, it would
be right for the preacher who believed
in free silver to advocate it also.
90 not DGIlGNG IL Is right IOE q
preacher to preach in his pulpit in
favor of any party" said Rev. D. A.
Shut of Silver Lake. He should use
his influence outside the pulpit as much
as possible. I would not object to be-
ing chairman of a Mckinley meeting
and I admit that I have distributed
Mckinley literature among my peo-
pie"
Rev. c. B. Dalton of the Walnut
oh =, I'D
no right to force his radical partisan
views upon the people and that he
would weaken his influence for doing
good by such action.
Rev. Mr. Fisher defended his posi-
ton and euIOgized Major Mckinley.
He said that the Chicago platform was
anarchistic and should be fought by
all good men.
Then Rev. Mr.. Staveley inquired
what was the duty of the preachers
with reference to Governor Morrill,.
He was abused and fought before he
was nominated" said he, and what do
you expect US to do now that he is
nominated"
Rev. D. N. Houghtelin of Carbonate
said: I'VE have just had new o. M.
B. lodge organized in our town and
many prominent Republicans are
members. I do not like to vote for the
same candidate they do but I do not
see that there is anything else left for
me to do
Presiding Elder L. K. Billfngsley
said: THE O. NJ. B. is coming to US.
We are not going to them. 1 see no
objection to having them vote for our
candidate if they want to-
Rev. G. S. Dearborn said that as be
tween Leedy and Morrill, he would
choose Morrill,, who was a better man,
both morally and politically.
Secretary Stephens of the State Tenn
perance union suggested the organiZa-
ton of an independent party and the
union of all temperance forces.
Presiding Elder BillingsIey laughed at
the idea and said that il was better to
choose the least of two evils, and it was
accordingly better to vote for Governor
Morrill, than to talk of organizing a new
party which would do no good and
could hope to accomplish little.
Then the ministers passed the follow
ing resolution:
''Whereas, The temperance situation
in Kansas demands an increased de-
gree of activity on the part of the
friends of the cause in order to success
fully meet determined and organized
opposition; and,
whereas, 1t is our conviction that
what the state needs at the present,
above all else, and must have before the
people demand the enforcement of the
law as in former years, is a general
gospel temperance revival; therefore,
be it
Resolved. By the Methodist minis
ters of Topeka and vicinity, in regular
monthly meeting assembled, that we
heartily approve of the proposed move
ment of the Kansas State Temperance
union, whereby an effort is to be made
to bring the churches of all denomina-
lions together as often as practicable
in their, respective localities throughout
the state for the purpose of holding
1Inion gospel temperance meetings, and
we pledge to this movement our sym
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