The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1898-06-30
Thu PROHIBITION PARTY.
II Is Asked to Consider Whether Il
Shall Go Out Of Business.
CLERGYMEN DIFFER AS TO THE
MEANS TO THE END.

Rev. Mr.. Rhodes Wants the Pastors to
Forget All About Democrats and Re-
pubIicans-Rev. MIR. Pearson Thinks If
They Did There Would BE Some Va
cant Puipits-Rev. MIR. Lindsay Says
The People VIII Vote as They Please
The WatervilIe Conference.
SPECIAL TO TIE PREss.l
Waterville, June 9G-All sorts of
schemes have been devised in times past
to arouse interest in what are sometimes
described as the old parties Band, torch
light parades and, perhaps, methods less
noisy and brilliant but more effective
have been used to get out the voters. The
Prohibition party today tried a new
scheme. 1t called conference to serve as
an introduction to the state convention
tomorrow and in the programme of exer-
cises for the conference appeared as "a
topic for discussion the question "Should
the Prohib ition Party be Abandoned?'
The summoning of the members of
political party TO hold u convention, IN
less they should first decide to go out of
politics in these end of the century days.
1t was stated to the PRESS correspondent
that the purpose of inserting the question
in the programme was to awaken interest.
II by awakening interest was meant the
gathering of large numbers the plan was
not a marked success. If it was desired
merely to make the proceedings interest
mo nv m fhnr>o i711afn6 than tho
attempt was well rewarded. The con-
ference began at ]. 80 and the first session
lasted four hours. There were 81 in at
tendance, among them being some well
known third party men and mum her of
clergymen, not all of whom belong to the
party. 1t was when
THE MINISTER'S DEBATED
the question of the best way in which to
secure the enforcement Of the prohibitory
law that the proceedings grew interest
ing. 1t was all entirely good natured but
it was certainly animated. Volney B.
Cushing, who has several times been the
gubernatorial candidate, was present,
coming from the west, where he has re-
Gently been engaged in temperance work.
n. T. Woodbury. of Auburn was the
chairman. Rev. S. &. Pearson of Port
land was here and took prominent part
in the debates of the clergy, as did Rev.
George d. Lindsay, recently of Portland,
now the pastor of the Methodist church
here. Rev. W. F. Berry of Portland, who
was to speak on "The Civic League
method of securing enforced prohibition
was not able to be present. Incidentally,
the Civic League was referred to by the
Rev. MIR. Rhodes as an organization
which died aborning. A new
LOCAL OPTION SCHEME
whereby voters could choose between
rigid and moderate enforcement
was another novelty of the conference
The early hours of the afternoon were
spent in listening to papers and addresses
In discussing the "presept condition of
prohibition in Maine" W. A. Robinson
informed his hearers that the courts and
officers of the law were practically in
league to nullify prohibition. The COM
nittee of Republicans announced on the
programme as coming to tell about the
state of things in Kennebec county did
not appear. Prof A. W. Anthony of
Lewiston sent paper in which he de-
clared that the courts virtually nullified
the prohibitory law. N. +. Woodbury.
spoke in support of the third party move
ment.
James A. Pulsifer, Esq, of Auburn,
presented the combined prohibition and
local option system. He would have the
law amended to provide in each town
candidates for constables might be nomi-
mated by the citizens regardless of the
usual party divisions. There would be a
ticket in favor of rigid enforcement and
ticket in. favor of moderate enforcement
The moderate enforcement constables, if
elected, would be expected to enforce the
law, or neglect to enforce it, in a way
pleasing to their constituents. Sample
ballots showing how the voting would be
done under this novel plan, were dis
tributed.
The discussion among the reverend
gentlemen present turned on the position
taken by Rev. Mr.. Lindsay, who read a
paper on 1.-THE Responsibility and Duty
of the Church Oh Issues Involvin e
Morality and Christianity Mr.. Lind
say in the course of his argument, ex-
pressed doubt as to the wisdom of at
tempting to secure enforcement by means
of
A PARTY ORGANIZATION
He declared that he was prohibitionist
and was anxious to find some plan by
which it would be brought about.
Rev. Mr.. Stevens of Oak land told how
in his town temperance delegates to the
Republican County convention had been
elected through efforts at the cauouses.
Then Rev Mr.. Rhodes of Fairfield who
said his father was Methodist, and he
should be one if he wasn't a Universalist,
took hand. He said that what was
wanted was Christians who would vote as
they prayed, and ministers who would
preach prohibition to them. He wanted
Mr.. Lindsay to define the duty of the