The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-10-31
WHO BOUGHT BEER
Interesting Question Before the
Ministerial Union.
Nichols and Hazen Arraigned
by the Preachers.
SYKES DEMANDS PROOF
Asks If Anyone Has Seen the
Beer Tickets.
e. III EoxanAor. Annoorc WifE,
SYKES DEMANDS PROOF
c. II. Alexander Appears With
Bundle of Affidavits.

The ministerial union spent over two
hours this morning in discussing the
political situation regarding the county
ticket. The clergymen sat as a court
and heard the evidence produced by the
Martin and Clark managers against
Hazen and Nichols. The other side was
not heard except feebly, and at the end
OF the discussion the meeting adjourned
without official action being taken. The
members of the union expressed them
selves as favoring the candidacy of Mar
tin and Clark, and several announced
that on next Sunday they would preach
a political sermon, but it was thought
best for the union not to adopt any reso-
luton binding the ministers to preach
political sermons next Sunday nor reSO-
lutions endorsing any candidates.
After the usual business attending the
opening of the meeting had been dis
posed of DR.. ID. NJ. Fisk started the dis
cusSion by saying that he understood
that beer was being used in the cam
paign by the carload and that tickets
good for ten beers were given out to
all who registered just before the regis
tration books closed. 1t was proposed
to pass a resolution that all the min
listers preach political sermons next Sun
day favoring Clark and Martin. I'VE
should be careful how we lend our aid
to political parties, said DIR. Fisk I
am a Republican and intend to vote for
Mckinley, but before US is the question
of clean politics. Where we can see
lineup of evil it seems to me the min
listers and church people should lineup
on the other side. We are not good
Christians unless we are good citizens
intend to speak next Sunday about the
political situation, and if there is any
thing to pour expect to find it out and
pour it,
Have we evidence of these beer par
ties?" asked Rev. H. A. OFT.
People have come to me and told me
of these beer parties said Rev H G.
int.
and found them to be true
Rev. Stewart Sheldon said: 'T met
Chief Stahl on the greet and he said
that what has just been said is true,
and that he is hampered in closing the
places where liquor is sold on account
of the judge and shediff more than any
thing else. He said he was a Repubh
can, but that he would not vote for
Hazen and Nichols"
Can you show me any of these beer
tickets told about ?" asked Rev. Mr..
OFT. No one had any.
7 am Democrat" said Dean J. W.
Sykes; 'unless change my mind, viii
die one. 1 expect to vote for Judge
Martin and Judge Clark. Judge Martin
is a member of my congregation and Of
my political faith. / would be opposed
to this union making any partisan move.
We should be sure that these men we
are condemning are deserving of the
condemnation. This is the hrst nave
heard of these beer parties Is IL true
Has any one seen any of these tickets
good for ten beers? Has any one seen
any of these beer partieS2 Has any one
seen anybody who has been to these
beer parties? Without positive evidence
it would be a mistake to commit our
selves to one party. We want all to vote
conscientiously. I will do all l can for
these two men privately, but think we
should not commit this union to any po-
litical move
I want to know if Judge Clark has
not drank beer and not pledged him
d 7
he has done all this. want to know
Nobody at that stage of the meeting
seemed able to answer.
I know a man who was Invited to a
beer party" said Rev. NJ. f. McKira-
han. L agree with Dean Sykes about
committing ourselves. There is a preju-
dice against preachers running things
Nine-tenths of my congregation are Re
publicans and I think all, or nearly ALL
will vote for Judge Martin L do not
consider Clark a nominee of the Repup-
lican party but I feel differently about
the judgeship.'
when Judge Martin was on the
bench he did not manipulate and post |
pone the cases until the witnesses were
lost said Rev. Mr.. F'onken. rms IS not
a political issue. It is moral issue 1t
is important that the ministers raise
their voice against political corruption" "
Il wish to offer a resolution" said
Dean Sykes. He read a resolution en- |
dorsing neither side but calling upon all
church people to vote on the side of pc |
litical righteousness.
Just then c. H. Alexander, one of the |
managers of Judge Martins campaign, |
entered the room. He was expected to |
appear and prove that beer parties had |
been held. The motion made by Dean !
Sykes was forgotten for the time. Mr.. /
Alexander was introduced and said he |
wished to prove to the members some of /
the statements made about beer. There |
was some discussion whether the meet |
ing should be open as all other meetings |
of the union have been or whether per |
sons not members should be excluded |
and the meeting be held behind closed /
doors. Mr.. Alexander objected to The /
the papers. Mr.. Alexander started by I
starting that he wished to prove some of I
the statements made
DO you think it expedient to hold this /
union meeting as an open court to hear |
evidence2'- asked Dean Sykes. Il don't |
think it dignihed."
Let's have facts said Dr.J. d. Coun-
ter1nine
MY friend Dean Sykes asked Tor
facts" said DR.. Fisk.
The question was asked what had be-
come of Dean Sykes resolution.
DR.. Mcfarland
Let US hear Mr.Alexander." said Rev
Mr.. OFT.
Il would like to hear the resolution
read again" said DR.. H. D. Fisher.
The motion was made for the meeting /
to hear MI. Alexander.
Il demand that the resolution be I
read. said DR.. Fisher.
Motions We're made one above another /
and finally the chair called for Mr. /
Alexander TO proceed Two weeks ago"
said Mr.. Alexander, $500 worth of beer /
and whisky was raised among the To- /
peka jointistS to use in the campaign /
for HaZen and Nichols. A beer party I