Daily Kennebec journal., 1900-05-29
CRITICISM or PRESIDENT
vot.d Down at Methodist Conference-Final
Adjournment. Today.


ident Mckinley for his attitude in re-
pretation Of the anti-canteen law was
Overwhelmingly voted down by the
Methodist general conference, today,
after two hours Of warm debate
The matter was brought up by the
presentation of the report of the com
mittoe on temperance, of which Sam
ucl Bickic Of Michigan, candidate for
President on the Prohibition ticket in
1892. is chairman. The majority report
severely arraigned the Chief MagiS-
tratp. The conference finally adopted
the minority report which excluded tie
paragraphs referring to the Chief Mag
istrate, but which, however, called up
on him TO use his influence to cecure
the passage of the new anti-canteen
law now pending before Congress.
The majority report read as follows:
we are chagrined. Inundated and
exasperated by the purile and absurd
construction placed on the anti-c1nteen
law by the attorney general of the
United States. and with all due respect
to the exalted station, we record the
fact that we are panied and disappJint-
v%i at the course Of the President in
accepting as final and satisfactory an
opinion without binding force. Such an
abuse Of power is nullfication in its
most dangerous form.
Upon the President as chief of our
army. rests the responsibility for the
existence If the canteen saloon. an evil
which he has ample power to suppress,
a f,.a = ha Al . B..,,
the bullet or the tropical heat
Or. J. y. Price If New York. pre-
scented the minority report. which
struck out all II the majority report
in which President Mckinley was con-
demnei This is not simply a ques-
tion." hc said. "of whether Or not the
President Of the United States is at
fault. I hold that the cause OF tenn
peranCc and prohibition and the cause
of Christianity viii not be defended by
this personal arraignment cf our chief
magistrate"
Judge Lore Of Delaware, in speaking
in favor Of the minority report. pre-
sented d strong tribute to the President
with whom H. served four years in
Congress. Il love his elemental man
hood said Judge Lore and hope the
Methcdirt church will not strike down
one ~ the most loyal mon within our
borders"
Mr.. \. =. Leonard made an impas-
stoned Plea for the adoption Of the
majority report. Rev. T. q. Lynch Of
Philadelphia. Roy. z. y. Lynch Of
West Virginia. George Y. Shaw of
iowa, and Dr. Buckley also to-k part
in tne debate.
DR.. Buckley offered an amendment
t. the minority report, which was ac-
cepted by Dr.. Price which among 9TH
er things appealed III the President to
uso all his Influence to promote the
passage f the an rn5ed anti-canteen
law now before CONGRESS.
Dr. Frank ~. Bristol Of Washington.
President McKinley's pastor. aroused
tremendous enthusiasm by protesting
against what h termed an unbr therly,
unjust. unprt.iotic. unprotestant at
tacl, upon the President Of the United
States. He is today, the most dis
tinguished Christian layman in the
world"
III object tp any man making cam
paign speech" shouted .l,Eate. but
I
DR.. Dickies then closed tn" debate.
This is not a partisan issue" he said.
The great Methodist church rather
than the President Of the United
States. is on trial
The minority report with DR.. Buck
ley's amendment was then adopted by
an overwhelming vote with the further
amendment that the action was not in
the interest Of any political partry
The amusement question was also
disposed Of today. but in rather an un-
expected way. by a majority # only
three votes. the minority report. ac
cepted, Saturday. was laid on the ta-
bic, but any attempt IT, take up
the majority report was frus-
tratcd by Bishop Fitzgerald rul-
ing that it was not before
TIN conference, ana it II not believed
that any further attempt will be made
to take up the matter Thus the con-
ference. in effect. has taken no action
in regard to the ban placed on certain
forms of amusement.
With three business, sessions today,
the quadrennial conference Of the
Methodist Episcopal church which for
a month past has been sitting here.
considering great questions affecting
the welfare of that denomination.
practically came to a close. The actual
adjournment will not take place until
tomorrow. but tomorrow's session is
expected to be but little more than a
formalty. and many of the delegates
left for their homes. tonight.
The afternoon session was devoted to
hearing reports from the various commit
tees on business heretofore crowded out
The board Of bishops also announced the
appointment Of the various permanent
ana boards Of the church
There was but few changes in their per
sonnel. Tonight. considerable routine
business was disposed Of.