Perth Amboy evening news., 1908-03-14

MILLVILLE, Mar. Sharp de-
nuLciation of Governor Forts atti-
tude toward local option, his gallant
defense by his friends and a declara-
tfon that the Conference is being
made political machine caused tur-
moil in the New Jersey Methodist
Conference here yesterday.
The exciting discussion was pre-
cfpitated by the report OF DR.. Frank
Moore, president of the Pennington
Seminary, the preamble of which
commended Governor Fort for his
attitude on the liquor question.
Rev. John Handley. of vineland, in
speaking of the Governor. said He
closed the gambling dens and told
the proprietors that If they dared to
reopen them he would sentence them
to state prison. He turned HelPs
Kitchen into q vestibule of Heaven,
the State of New Jersey for local op-
tion. Would 1t be fair to report
without commencing him?"
Rev. DR.. George H. Neal. of CAM
den, replied, saying: Governor Fort
Is not favorable to local option and
has lodged the issue every time It
has come point blank to him. and we
should eliminate from the report
anything which refers to the Cover
nor's attitude"
political Machine" He Asserts.
Rev. DR.. John r. Thompson, Of
Haddonfeld, sprang to his feet and
exclaimed: This Conference has
been turned into republican ratifi-
cation meeting, and | am tired of IL.
We are making political meeting of
this Conference year after year, for
we are sending out Endorsements of
political parties, action. The Bishops
bill, said he, has greatly increased
the output of liquor. The policy of
the Bishops bill is to saddle license
upon us, and, becoming dramatic,
he cried loudly, This Conference has
disgraced itself in sanctioning the
Bishops bill, and the Governor he
concluded, ''is an entirely different
man now than what he was when he
was a Judge"
Several friends of the Governor
jumped to their feet with point of
order. and Bishop Wilson said he
would allow no further personal re-
marks against the Governor.
The preamble of the report was
again read, and Rev. DR.. George B.
Wight, State Commissioner of Chari-
ties and Corrections, stated that the
Governor told him personally that he
would not stand for anything that
is going to lower the Christian stand
ard Of New Jersey. Rev. J. Ward
Gamble, of Pennsgrove. pleaded with
the members TO stand by the Cover
nor. He said that the Bishops bill
was the best measure that the tenn
perance people have ever had enact
ed. Rev. G. R. Middleton, Of Atlantic
Highlands, quoted the Governor as
saying when he was judge, IF the
people of this state are ready to
stand by we are ready to give local
option bill. The only reason we
haven't got 1t is because they have
turned away and haven't stood by
u.s.
Fort Phones He's For 1t.
Rev. H. S. Hahn, secretary OF the
Law and Order Society, remarked
Governor Fort stood straight and
fair on every question 1t is
shame" he exclaimed, that the Gov
ernor should be assailed in this con-
ference. All officials are not cor
rupt because they are in Office"
Rev. A E. Ballard, of Ocean Grove,
Tic dSCQ VI dOhSiHDI OItt
who sat beside the bishop, asked for
recognition, and, slowly rising, said,
in voice moved with emotion: 'I
have followed my nephew from his
boyhood, and have complete conf
dence in him.
When order had been restored the
bishop called for vote on the report
and it was adopted by a large ma
jority.
This afternoon President Frank
Moore, of Pennington Seminary, an
nouneed at an enthusiastic anti
saloon meeting. that he had tele-
phoned to Governor Fort that he had
been accused OF opposing local OPP
ton
These are the Governors exact
words" said Mr.. Moore: Who said
l was opposed to local option! Who
gave anyone authority to say it? !
am not opposed to It. l addressed
a meeting in New York city only
last evening and said | was heartily
in favor of Its adoption"
This announcement brought forth
cheers from every portion of ths
church