New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-03-16
TRADE AT CONFERENCE
GROWS BITTER.
Says If Local Option Prevails Cathe-
dralS VIII Be Bankrupt.

New-Brunswick, n. J.. March Is Especially.
The sensation Of the day at the New-Jersey
Methodist Episcopal conference was q bitter
TRADE by the Rev. J. +. Thompson. Of Trenton,
against what he declared were Roman Catholic
influences favoring the excise bills now before
the Legislature He argued that because Of this
influence in favor OF the bills ne was against
them Enact a local option law. he declared.
and the big cathedrals in Trenton would &c into
bankruptcy. These remarks were greeted with
cries Of "A-a-ah." ana other expressions Of diS
approval.
The Rev. DR.. Handley, in replying to the Rev.
Mr.. Thompson, said that If the bills would pro-
duce good effect they should be supported no
matter what denomination or influence fathered
them. IF we kill ninety snakes out of one
hundred. we should kill Them" he declared.
Fervent cries Of "Amen!" "Arnen!" greeted these
remarks. There was no doubt as 10 the temper
Of the gathering. Its sympathy was with DR..
Handley rather than with the Rev. Mt. Thomp-
son.
The discussion was precipitated by the presen-
tauon Of a resolution by DR.. Gamble Of Trenton
putting the conference on record as favoring
the passage OF Senate bills Nos 1876 and 49,
DR.. Gamble spoke briefly. summarizing the bills
dwelling upon the provision that the owner of
the building must join with the applicant in
making license application. The present law
requires three citizens to make complaint TO the
excise authorities; the new bill requires only
one and the provision against the sale Of liquor to
minors is stringent The most important feature,
DIT. Gamble declared, is that requiring the re-
moval Of all screens from saloons.
The speaker asserted that the men who turnA1
down the local option bill In the Assembly said
they We're between the devil and the deep sea.
The real trouble, he said. was due to the fact
that certain Christian people do not compel
themselves to be represented by the Assembly
men and Senators
Here the Rev. Mr. Thompson made his speAch.
I rise as q Methodist minister and have a right
to my opinion as we'll as DR.. Gamble" he said
TT is not only question OF whether we make
a better liquor law, but whether we become a
tail to a Roman Catholic kite" Cries OF "Ahl"
and other expressions Of disapproval came from
all over the auditorium. Not needing the inter-
ruption, the speaker continued: Il wouldn't go
10 ruEnSeIers funeral in my own family; I
wouldn't act as a palbearer at a rumseIlers
funeral. The Roman Catholics came out with
this bill when we had a prohibition bill all ready.
we have no business with their bill / don't
propose to favor it. and I Will talk eternaIly
against it. Everybody knows If local option
prevailed in Trenton the big Cathedrals would
go into bankruptcy"
Dr. Gamble called attention to the fact that
the resolution was signed bv Dr. J F. shaw DR.
Handley and DR.. John Fox, well himself.
DR.. John Fox spoke pungently The liquor
men. who are tooth and nail against these bills"
he said. would be delighted to hear the confer
ence was divided as 10 this question. It would
be sweet news to them" He urged the passage
of the resolutions. The resolution was adopted
almost unanimously, only four hands being
shown against il.
After the result had been announced Dr..
Thompson insisted that his name be entered on
the records as protesting. Some objected. but
he insisted It was his right.
DR.. Thompson also protested against a resoIu-
ton commencing DR.. George 3. Wright as Com
missioner OF Charities. He said the position
a political one and the conference should not
NEEDLE. The resolution was adopted.