The St. Louis Republic., 1900-05-29
Presidents Friends Defeated TEN
Perance Report in General
Conference.
CRITICISED IN THE DEBATE.
Compromised on Urging the Execu.
tive to Support the Pending
Army Canteen Bill-Sessi0n
TO Adjourn To-Day.

| Chicago. May 3s.-With three business
| sessions to-day the quadrennial conference
of the Methodist Episcopal Church. which
! for a month past has been sitting here. con-
sidering great questions affecting the wei
fare OF that denomination. practically came
, to close. The actual adjournment does
not take place until Tomorrow. but to-
morrow's session is expected to be but lit
tie more than formality, and many Of the
delegates left for their homes tonight
Criticism of President Mckinley for his
attitude in regard to Attorney General
Griggs's Interpretation Of the auti-canteen
law was overwhelmingly voted down by
the conference to-day after two hours Of
warm debate.
The matter WAS brought up by the pres
entatiOn Of the report OF the Committee on
Temperance. OF which Samuel Dickie OF
Michigan. candidate for President on the
Prohibition ticket in 1892 ia chairman. The
majority report arraisned the chief uagis-
tratc severely. Tho conference finally adopt
ed the minority report. which excluded the
paragraphs referring TO the chief ,nagis-
traie. but which. however. called upon him
10 use his influence to secure the passage Of
the new anti-canteen bill now pending b.
fore Congress.
The amusement question was also dis
posed Of to-day. but in rather an unexpect-
ed way. By a majority of only three votes
the minority report. accepted Saturday. was
laid on the table but any attempt to take
UP the majority report was frustrated BY
Bishop Fitzgerald ruling that II was not be
fore the conference. and It is not believed
that any further attempt will be made to
take the matter up. Thus the conference
in effect has taken no action in regard to
the ban placed upon certain forms Of
amusement
Debate on Temperance Report.
After the amusement question had been
disposed Of Samuel Dickie Of Michigan
presented the report Of the Committee on
Temperance, and for the first time the
great Methodist body took on a strong
political appearance The majority report
contained strong arraisnment OF Pres!-
dent Mckinley and Attorney General
Grisgs for their attitude on the anti-caD-
teen law. and over this point the confer
ence debated all morning. The majority
report on that point read as follows:
We are chasrined. humiiated. and sxas-
perated by the puerile and absurd consiruc-
iion placed on the aBti-canteen law by tn.
Attorney General of the United States, and.
with all due respect to the exalted station.
We record tie fact that We are panied and
disappointed at the course Of the President
in accepting as final and satisfactory an
opinion without binding force. Such an
abuse OF power is nulliiication In its most
dangerous 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 sup
press, more deadly foe to the soldiers
than the bullet or the tropical heat"
Doctor J. E. Price of New York presented
the minority report. which struck out all of
the majority report In which Presiden. Nc
kinley was condemned.
We are here to deal in principles and no.
TO indulge In personalities" said Doctor
Price amid vigorous applause. This is NOT
simply a question of whether or no, the
President Of the United States is at fault I
hold that the cause OF temperance and pro-
hibttion, and the cause OF the Church or
Christ cannot be advanced by this personal
arraignment of our chief magistrate"
Judge Lore of Delaware In speaking i'm
favor Of the minority report. paid a strong
tribute to the President, with whom he
served in four Congresses.
II love his elemental manhood" said
Judge Lore. "and i hope the Methodist
Church will not strike down one of the most
loyal men within her borders"
Called the Cabinet q Club.
Doctor A. 3. Leonard made an impas-
stoned plea for the adoption of the ma jority
report. I'VE hear much about government
by Injunction" he said. "but this Is gov !
BY an opinion OF a member of the
presidents club ! cannot shu, my eyes