Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1900-06-01
THE PRESIDENT ATTACKED.
Report on Temperance to the Metho-
dist General Conference Assails
His Army canteen Record.
DIckIe PRESENTED MAJORITY VIEWS.
Tho Noted Third Party Prohibitionisf of
Michigan UnsDaring In His Criticism-A
Hot Discussion Followed and the Con-
ference Very Much Refembled Politl-
cal Convention-Adopt Minority Report

Chicago, May 29.-The Methodist
general conference Monday took un-
expected action in regard to the COM
mittee reports on scard-p1aying, dane
ing and other prohibited amusements.
The official vote by which the minor
ity report was accepted recommend
ing no action was announced as 333
ayes to 900 noes. Then, to the sur
prise of the. large audience, on motion
of DIR. Buckley, the minority report
was laid on the table by a vote of
$50 to 253. Bishop Fitzgerald ruled,
however, that the question was no
longer before the house. It is ex-
will again be taken up for action, SO
the standing of the Methodist church
for the next four years in regard to
forbidden amusements will be un-
changed.
Samuel Dickie, of Michigan, then
presented the report of the commit
tee on temperance, and for the first
time the great Methodist body took
on strong political appearance. The
majority report contained a strong ar
raignment of President Mckinley
and Attorney General Griggs for their
attitude on the anti-canteen law and
over this point the conference de-
bated all morning. The majority re-
port on that point reads as follows:
We are chagrined. Inundated and ex-
asperated by the puerile and absurd con-
struction placed on the anti-canteen 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 disappointed at the
course of the president in accepting as
final and satisfactory an opinion with
power is notification in its most dan
gerous form. Upon the president, as
chief of our army, rests the responsibility
for the existence of the canteen saloon,
an evil which he has ample power to
suppress, a more deadly foe to the SOL
diers than the bullet or the tropical heat.
DIR. j. E. Price, of New York, pre-
sented the minority report, which
struck out all of the majority report
in which President Mckinley was
condemned. eve are here to deal in
principles and not indulge in per-
sonalities,'' said DR.. Price, amid Wig
orous applause. Judge Lore, of
Delaware, in speaking in favor of the
minority report, paid a strong tribute
to the president, with whom he served
1OuT years Ill congress. love. MS
elemental manhood said Judge Lore,
"and L hope the Methodist church
will not strike down one of the most
loyal men within her borders"
DR.. Buckley offered an amendment
to the minority report, which was ac-
cepted by DR.. Price, which appealed
to the president to use. all his influ-
ence to promote. the passage of the
amended anti-canteen law move be-
fore congress. DIR. Frank B. Bristol,
of Washington, President McKinley,s
pastor, aroused tremendous applause
by protesting against what he termed
an "unbrotherly. unjust, unpatriotic,
unprotestant attack upon the presi-
dent of the United States. He is to-
day the most distinguished Christian
layman in the world.''
The minority report with DIR. 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 politi-
cal party.