Evening journal., 1903-04-17
Nearly Every Religious Denomina-
tiOn Represented in Delegation
Before Governor HUM

with the delicacy which characterizes
them Cat times) they remained away.
II was remarked, however, that certain
leaders who find no difficulty in mixing
up in politics pretty deeply in the in
terests of prohibition, We're conspicu-
Gus for their absence. Regret was
general that the Rev. Vaughan S, Col
Inns was prevented by his duties to his
flock from joining the delegation to
make a protest against bribery.
Out in the Cold.
After standing for some minutes in
the corridor of the State House like a
flock without leader, it was learned
that the delegation would present its
prayers in the hall of the House Of
Representatives So the clergymen
climbed the stairs, and found the doors
locked. There was another delay until
a newspaper man, who holds the key
to every chamber, as well as to every
situation. threw open the doors and
the delegation reverently fled into the
amen corner.
In a few well-chosen words, Chair
man +. +. Briggs. Of the Second Bap-
tist Church, OF Wilmington, thanked
the Governor for his kindness and
courtesy in receiving the delegation.
and urged upon him the importance Of
the subject under discussion.
A Methodist Voice.
He then introduced the Rev. Dr. ].
w. Easley, one of the ablest preachers
of the Wilmington Methodist Episcopal
Conference, and pastor of Harrison
Street Church, Wilmington. DR.. Easley
spoke of the enforced absence Of Pre-
siding Elder Robert Watt, of the Will
mington district.
In we'll modulated address of FIVE
minutes, Chairman Briggs had an
nounced that each speaker would be
limited to five minutes. DR.. Easley gave
his reasons for urging the signing Of
the repeater. He said he had come here
to represent the Methodist Episcopal
Church upon this very important occa-
sion, which touched the exercise Of the
sovereign right of American citizen
ship. No care should be spared in the
attempt to hedge every citizen with the
safeguard of the utmost liberty in his
exercise Of his right OF suffrage. And
il was with this object in view that
the ministers were here today.
If after due consideration the Cover
nor should sign the bill nr. Easley
urged that he would be conserving the
highest interests of the State and the
land. There is a feeling among citi-
zens. and not partisans, that the pres
ent Voters Assistant law is conducive
to bribery and anything that facilitates
the debauchery of the ballot box is a
public calamity. And such n law con-
ducive to the continuance of bribery
brings about all that degradation that
follows bribery. DR. Easley then an
swered the specious plea that the law
Is for the illiterates by saying that he
did not consider the law essential to the
| illiterate voter. The illiterate who
votes the straight ticket certainly does
not need the law. He. by himself. with
2 little care and Judgment, would al
ways be able to vote his own senti-
ments and thereby do his duty to the
State. DR.. Easley said in signing tho
lrepealer the Governor would serve the
highest good, that the greatest element
in the protection of life and property
lies in public morals. DR.. Easley then
presented the Governor with the letter
Of DR.. Watt, which is as follows:
i Dr. Watt Writes a Letter.
To His Excellency, Hon. John HUM.
Honored Sir; The death of the wife
Of one of my ministers makes it i'm
possible for me to be present in person
% unite with my brother ministers in
urging upon you the importance OF
signing the bill for the repeal of the
Voters Assistant law. ! have dele
gated the Rev. James w Easley tc
represent me. I most ardently trusi
YOU will free us from the menace tC
our liberties this law involves. It is
used to debauch the voter and corrupt
the franchise. The repeater is in Tho
interest of morality and civic right.
eousness and its approval by you vii
win for you the commentator Of al
good citizens
Respectfully yours.
Robert Watt.
Tried Christian Science on Him.
Mr.. John said in part;
Governor Hum: / am glad to be her
to address you knowing that your fore
fathers and mine, followers of Fox an,
Penn, have stood and do stand for al
that pertain to righteousness and Il
moral and upright citizenship, who's
principle it is to develop character by tn
indwellng spirit in individual growth.
cttAA Ao7AtiN W ltIitetlL Il DDl.
of Christian people who hold dear an
? appreciate any and every effort whic
: will advance the citizenship of the cit,
or the State-a people who believe in am
earnestly strive to practice both the la,
and the gospel. From this viewpoint O
uprightness, / wish to touch upon wha
r seems the paramount issue. The mos
, earnest argument in favor of the presen
law is that it stands in behalf of the il
( literate voters of oir State But Gov
/ ernor, it is in behalf of this. class that
address you. To legislate in favor of il
3 literacy which is not qualification 70
/ good citizenship or for the voter, yo
virtually put premium upon illiterac
b. and thereby encourage and engender th
D very condition You desire to assist tn
E best way to make paupers is to legislat
in favor of pauperism. The best way
/ help paupers is to educate them TO
e standard of manliness and self-relianc
q The best way to help the illiterate is {
I maintain the standard of individual cha
e acter good citizenship and equal right
4 The safety and surety of governmer