The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1897-09-14

a stir Sunday night by preaching against
the amendment, dropped his bomb into
the midst OF his brethren at that point.
Said he with marked deliberations
am very sorry to be compelled to oppose
my ministerial brethren on such an i'm
portant issue as this. The sentiments
expressed here today Indicate that this
IS q question ia which all ministers ought
to be interested. 1t seems to me, how
ever, that back of this lies a more i'm
portant issue in which the clergy are
and actively, viz:-The election of good
men to the Legislature. If the clergy
Of the State of New Jersey did their
duty there would be no danger of the
repeal of the present anti-gambling law.
h danger involved in this method of
refom is greater than the evil aimed
at. That danger is the growing dis
trust of legislators. If this amendment
ference of good citizens to the character
of legislators will be fostered. The
fact that the fear of a repeal exists is
an incentive to political activity on the
part of good men. If we continually re-
sort to constitutional amendments we
destroy this stimulus to activity. 1t is
practically Saying:-Let us tie the hands
of the legislators SO they can do no harm.
If that principle is carried out the Legis-
lature will be degraded more and more
and the difficulty of securing good men
will be Unnecessarily increased
"Will you vote for or against the anti
gambling amendment, DR.. Wishart?"
asked DR.. Studdiford.
Il don't know, but really do believe I
shall vote against it, DR.. Studdiford," re-
Lord God, have mercy on that mans
soul!!' shouted Rev. DR.. j. w. Morris ex-
citedly, as he sprang to his feet and
Now" said Mr.. Morris. turning to
DR.. Wsishart, suppose it was the saloon
and liquor question that we were discuss
"Well,' replied Dr. Wishart, kansas
and Maine both had prohibitory amend
ments passed.; but what is now the re-
DIR. Morris continued to discuss the pro-
hibition question, and was called to or
der by Rev. DR.. Jones. Then returning
ly said. pointing his finger in the face of
the Baptist clergyman: You are the
man, just the man, to head the gambling
and race track element in this great bat
tie, and the saloon owners and saloon
keepers will back you and applaud you
for doing it,"
This attack brought Rev. E.. J. Foote
to his feet in a bound. He denounced
DR.. Morris, characterizing his argument
as violent. vociferation," and said his
manner and language was anything but a
display of the Christian spirit one expect
ed to find at the Ministerial Union. DR..
Foote looked threateningly at DR.. Morris
while speaking, and DR.. Boswell shouted:
You address the chair"
IF you want to see me personally, see
me after the meeting!" Shouted DR.. Nor
ris to DR.. Foote.
DR.. Foote managed to say thai he pro-
tested against DR.. Morris Language and
manner yet he favored the amendment.
Still, he would admit that DR.. Wishart's
argument had great weight inc had not
been met by any argument in favor of
the amendments.
I'VE will pray God that the Lord
Jesus will remove DR.. Wishar to Para
disc before the day for the vote upon
this constitutional amendment" said the
Rev. DR.. Grady, interrupting the speaker. |
Several other dominies spoke for the
Wishart alone dissented. The resolu-
tons recite that the Ministerial Union
deems it of greatest Importance that the
anti-gambling amendment should be in
corporated in the State Constitution; that
Sunday, September 10 or 26. be set apart
in the churches as amendment day land
the ministers be requested to present the
to their congregations and to urge
them to vote at the coming election for
the amendment"