The Norfolk weekly news-journal. (Norfolk, Neb.) 1900-19??, 1907-05-24
LIQUOR FIGHT IS SETTLED
PRESBYTERIAN ASSEMBLY IN
DoRSES ANTl.SALooN LEAGUE.
SAFE AND SANE ORGANIZATION
Permanent Committee on Temperance
Must Shun Politics-Crowded Gal
lery Hears Exciting Debate or
Question at Columbus.

Columbus, o., May 23.-Following
times became acrimonious, the Pres
byterian general assembly adopted
without a dissenting vote resolutions
declaring that the permanent commit
tee, on temperance should not embark
upon or interfere in political work and
indorsing the American Anti. Saloon
league as a safe, sane and effective
organization in the advancement OF
temperance" The assembly pledged
to the league the fullest cooperation
consistent with the constitution OF the
church
In anticipation of a momentous fight
on the temperance question, every
commissioner was in his seat and the
gallery of memorial hall was filled
with spectators when the assembly
called for the reports of the commit
tee on church polity and temperance
1t became evident almost at the out
set that a majority of the commits
siOners were bent upon settling the
controversy with the Aati-Snloon
league. A program which sought to
defer action had been mapped out by
the committee on temperance, but the
assembly temporarily put this aside
taking up the report of the committee
on temperance. which had been direct
ed by the assembly to define the duties
Of the permanent committee on TEN
perance and adopted the resolutions
as outlined. The report of the church
polity was presented by Rev. Fulton
OF Philadelphia. An overture from the
synod of Indian territory, asking the
assembly for a deliverance on the sub
ject of how the church might secure
representation in non-ecclesiastical
temperance organizations, had been
referred to this committee. 1t report
ed a resolution that. while commend
ing the achievements of the Anti-Sa
loon league, Women's Christian Tenn
perance union and like societies, the
assembly reaffirms the policy of the
church to avoid official representation
in non-ecclesiastical bodies, but
raises no objection to It's members or
ministers connecting themselves with
such societies as individuals.
Rev. E. o. Whitewells of Oklahoma
City Immediately took the floor In
opposition to the report and made an
impassioned plea in behalf of the
work which he has been doing In
connection with the Anti.Saloon
league towards securing a provision
for prohibition in the constitution OF
Oklahoma. He declared that he had
been threatened by the brewery inter
ests, who had told him that when the
Presbyterian general assembly met he
would be called off his perch" When
threats had failed, he said, an effort
had been made to buy him of with
contributions to his church Ha
pleaded with the assembly not to put
burning torch in the hands of the
brewery interests.
The first part of the report, adverse
to the abandonment of the Inter
Church Temperance Federation. was
adopted, but the second part. defer
ring the definition of the duties Of
the committee on teHnpeIduCc, Taiseu
storm of protests. Rev. DR., Semple
declared there would be no further
delay, that the question at issue
would he decided now. Shouts Of ap-
proval greeted this declaration.
At this point DR.. w. o. Thompson.
president of Ohio State university.
came forward with the substitute res.
oluton. barring the permanent tenn
perance committees from any partici
patton in political affairs, and which
was subsequently adopted. In reply
to questions. he said he would not OBJ.
;ect to an Endorsement of the Anti.
Saloon league, and Rev. DR. Semple
thereupon offered an amendment In.
dorsing the league.