The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-11-02
NOT ALL OF ONE MIND.
Methodist Bishops Returning to the
Support of Cannon.

Chicago, Nov. 1.-The bishops of the
Methodist Episcopal church are not of
one mind respecting the case of Speak
er Cannon. A number of them some
time ago declared their disapproval of
his attitude during the last congress
on the question of legislation applica-
BILE to the liquor question as it touch
ed prohibition states.
Last week the board of bishops was
in session in Indianapolis. Bishop Ham
ilton of Boston, formerly located in
Sam Francisco, prepared a letter, while
in indianapolis to the Northwestern
Christian Advocate. in which he dis
tinctly declined to oppose Mr.. Cannons
reelection and expressed his confidence
in the speakers uprightness and cor
rectness on the liquor question.
1t is known too, that Bishop Hamil
ton does not stand among the bishops
alone in his view on Mr.. Cannon. More
than one of his colleagues is said to
have urged him to write the letter dis
senting from the criticisms of the
speaker.
The Christian Advocate on Wednes-
day. it is expected will print the Ham
ilton letter. In order that his views
might be known before election day the
bishop gave for publication here copy
of his letter, which follows:
ITO the Editor of the Northwestern
Christian Advocate: I have been asked
as several of the bishops have been.
L
of my, colleagues in protecting against
the reelection of the Hon. Joseph G..
Cannon to the house of representatives.
II have resided for eight years in
San Francisco, and have not had the
same opportunity to be familiar with
the intricate political understandings
among the politicians in the eastern
and middle states.
II did know that certain members of
the committee of the general confer
-s-I~ rsr-t% <I he lyn nf n
house of representatives in Washing
ton in May felt that they have been
cavalierly treated, or more humorous
ly entertained than comported with the
serious mission upon which they had
heen sent and they felt that the de-
nomination representing fully one-fifth
of the population of the entire nation
deserved more respectful considera-
ton.
Il was quite as willing to rebuke
trif1ing in high places then the evil IN
question was one that had cost the
world. as Mr.. Gladstone asserted,
greater suffering and loss than had
been incurred by war. petilence and
famine combined
"And much as 1 respected the chief
officers of the government, l was as
ready to help defeat any one of them
who by hint, squirt, or silent con-
spiracy,' as Mr.. Taft has said, had in
timated that he preferred the support
of the Saloon TO -tlidl III ADc @Au< SAtSS.
We have notorious example OF one
such politician who was once ambitious
to be the candidate for the presidency,
but who is now completely stranded.
IT know Mr.. Cannon personally ana
could not believe that he would ieno
himself, or the influence OF his nlsn
position to oppose any honest endeavor
to secure a fair expression OF the Will
of the people on the one subject SO
much in the mind of the whole country.
II therefore wrote Mr.. Cannon
STRAIGHTFORWARD interrogatory letter
asking him If he had directly or indl-
rectly' sought to hinder legislation IN
the committee on judiciary or in con-
gress in the matter of the federal gov
eminent in its relation to the tramc
in intoxicating liquors in the prohioi-
tory states.
"He replied so candidly that he had
not opposed the legislation and had not
intended to treat the general CONFER
ence committee disrespectfully that l
was bound to accept his statement. And
when his declaration was confirmed
promptly by Mr.. Littlefield himself In
renly to the letter l addressed him on
The same subject, felt justified in de-
Ginning to oppose Mr.. Cannon's re-elec-
ton.
"Respectfully and faithfully,
.sTaHN w HAMTITON.'