The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-11-05
JOHN R. MULvANE OBJECTED
Topeka Banker Found Fault With Mr..
CrannelPs Political Sermon.

CrannelPS Political Sermon.
Politics came near breaking up the
communion service at the First Baptis.
church Sunday morning. Rev. p. w.
Crannell preached on the subject, when
Politics are Not Politics" on the heels
of the sermon a sensational episode oc-
Cured when John r. MulVane, one OF
the leading members raised his voice in
protest against the discourse. Another
member, ]. l.. EIdridge, replied to his
protest and while these members We're
holding a discussion between them
selves. Pastor Crannel dismissed the
congregation
The congregation was filing slowly out
and the pastor was shaking hands with
those in the front pews, when the sight
of the communion table spread before
the pulpit, recalled the service yet to
come.
wait a minute. Be seated Pastor
CrannelI said, for the communion" The
large congregation present was recalled
from politics to it's sense of duty, most
of the members tarried and the service
was carried out in due form.
Rev. Mr.. Crannells discourse was
based in the text, Honor the king" 1
Peter PIT. Not a political party or can
didate was named in his sermon, al
though in local application it pinched
candidates whom law enforcement adj
vocates condemn as unfaithful to their
trusts. Rev. Mr. Crannell first argued
the right and duty of the church. not as
an organization Out IuIOuBu liS lnQlNlQ-
ual members, to engage in politics.
Then since the people is king and Off
cials its servants, to honor itself it shall
displace those who are false to their
trusts. The sermon in cOnGemning the
liquor traffic, urged activity against its
illegal continuance and enforcement Of
the law, closing with a rebuke to the
oppTobrious partisan appeal and urging
men to pray diligently before voting
next Tuesday.
There was stir in the amen corner
the moment Rev. Mr.. Crannell had pro
nounced the benedictiOn John r. Mul-
vane advanced to the front pew and ad-
dressing the congregation voiced d pro-
test against an implied attack upon
Judge Hazen in these words:
II believe the sermon We have Just
heard does a great injustice. my breth-
rem We have known both Of these gen
tlemcn for many years that are now our
candidates--Judge Hazen and Judge
Martin. We have had both Of them for
our judges in this county and have the
first time in my life to hear any man
impeach their integrity 1t is not TO tell
you how to vote that I speak, but i OBJ
ject to anyone carrying off an idea that
absolutely just. I have been one to ID
vance the cause Of prOhibition-One of
the many citizens who have helped to
the laws If we have not sue
ceeded it is not the fault Of the courts.
Citizens have not succeeded in compell-
ing obedience to the law. because we
have the worst set Of scOuDdrelS on
earth on our hands to deal with.
Vote as you please, but / do rise to
defend the bar Of this county. asked
a juryman at the time there were 30 con-
victions in % cases, why there were not
convictions in the other two cases also.
.. Because we didn't have the evidence
to convict he said
''Then I asked a brother, a lawyer.
why. and he said
They couldn't convict on general
principles of morality, however much il
might be desired, they must have the
evidence
Judges can't work up evidence What
can you expect when even lawyers and
officers and committees especially ap-
pointed fer the purpose fail to get the
evidence. I do think fairness and Jus
tice is what we want above all things
and believe both judges have acted
with all credit to themselves and the
community"
J. L. Eldridge arose at once and re
piled from the amen corner and his