Evening journal., 1900-03-27
CONFERENCE
IS NOW OVER
Spirited Discussion Over a ResO-
luton to Condemn the
President for Drinking.
WAS FINALLY VOTED DOWN

THE LAST SESSION OF THE WILL
MINGroN CONFERENCE THIS
MORNING WAS A WARM ONE,
AND BY FAR THE MOST INTER
EsTING HELD.
After an animated session lasting
week the convention of the thirty
second annual conference came to a
close in Epworth NJ E. Church at
o'clock today.
THE PRESIDENT CONDEMNED.
The report of the temperance COM
mittee was submitted and read by Rev.
W. T. Compton. The report condemn
ed the legalized liquor traffic, the can
teen system and the sale Of liquor in
the Philippines.
President Mckinley as a Methodist
layman, was also condemned for pub
licly setting the example Of tippling,
especially when such uppling was for
political purposes alone and not as
health necessity, as is stringently laid
down in the church discipline. The
General Conference will be asked to
pass resolutions also condemning
President McKinley's actions. The
resolutions were voted upon. The
resolution condemning President Nc
Kinley for public drinking was op-
posed by Rev. DR.. Todd. who stated
that he could not vote for such reso-
luton unless there was absolute PROOF
of the allegations.
Rev. F. F. Carpenter, of the commit
tee which formed the resolution, spoke
against its adoption on the ground
that the conference was not a poliueal
body forming a platform. Neither was
IL a quarterly conference OF Wnlcn
President Mckinley was member. He
expressed his doubt as to the advis-
ability OF censuring the presidents ac-
tions. In framing the temperance
resolutions, Rev. Carpenter stated that
IL had been agreed by the members OF
the committee that each should enter
some thought on the temperance ques-
ton. but when they we're submitted
some were too strong in their express
sions and some were not strong
enough, so were abandoned and the
resolutions presented were drawn up.
Rev. Dr. Macnichol moved that that
part Of the resolution referring per-
sonally to President Mckinley be
stricken out.
The question OF the truth OF the as
seftion of President McKinley's tip
pling was discussed by Rev. Alfred
Smith, who stated that he had put the
question to Professor Samuel Dickie
and that he Professor Dickie) had
seen the president drink no less thar
four different wines at a banquet given
him in Milwaukee. He considered Pro
fessor Diekie a truthful man.
Rev. r. H. Adams questioned the
wisdom of this conference to take ac'
ton in the matter. The East Ohio
Conference, to which President McKin
ley is a member is the proper place fol
such action, and it would be an unwar
ranted piece OF presumption on th'
part of this conference to inquire int
President McKinley's Methodism.
TO DEFEAT M'KINLEY.
1T is a question" said DR.. Adams
whether a man can stand on the foo
of this conference and be a man ant
speak the truth without being con
demned. l had an experience at th'
conference in Smyrna, and when
spoke my belief l was severely cen
sured. But will speak the truth. Bro
ther Thompson, himself chairman o
the committee who framed these reso
lutions. told me that they were, so ia
as he was concerned, for the purpos
of defeating President Mckinley. w
have no right to do this thing, as it
an arraignment against the president
and shall not vote for the resolution
in their present form.
POLITICS AND RELIGION.
In reply DR.. Compton stated tina
when the committee was well consic
ering the resolutions they concluded
allow a representative of both Oh
democratic and republican parties VIII
were in thorough accord with the ten
perance cause to look over the resolt
tions and offer suggestions. ID
Adams was selected as the republica
representative, but il was impossib
to find a democrat who would answe
Il did tell DR.. Adams" continued ID
Compton, that l desired to defe;
President Mckinley. / tried to defe;
him four years ago by my vote, and
will doubly try the next time now tn
he has openly defied one OF the mo
stringent laws of the discipline. I to
Mr.. Adams that l not only wanted
assist in his defeat, but I want tn
conference and the whole Method
Church to assist. If we are not watc
ful this skilled politician will dri
into the presidential chair again, hol
ing the reins high and with one TO
on the Methodist doctrine and L
other on the Brewers Association. Y
want no such man. I'm sorry tn
Brother Adams referred to the matt,
as / spoke to him in private"
DR.. Vaughan S. Collins expressed
great regret that DR.. Compton h
made such a speech upon the floor
the convention. rs this a polite
conference" said Dr. Collins. =