The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-10-02
RAP FOR UNCLE JERE.
Rev. Robt. Gordon objects to His
Connection with Brewers.


James Wilson. secretary of agri-
culture, was severely censured Sun
day night by the Rev. Robert Cor
don of the First Baptist church in the
Protest" on account of his acceptancy
of the honorary presidency of the
International Brewers congress which
viii meet in Chicago. Oct. 1922.
"On June 49, said the speaker.
secretary Of state, Mr.. Knox, issued
a circular letter which was addressed
to the diplomatic and consular officers
of the United States In it he says
that the department is advised that
there will be held in the city of Chi
International Brewers congress and
international barley and hop prize ex-
hibition. It is the purpose of this
congress to discuss agricultural, scien-
tific, technical and sociological ques-
tions connected with the brewing and
allied industries. The secretary of
agriculture of the United States, the
Hon. James Wilson, has accepted an
invitation to act as honorary presid ent
of this congress, and the United
States department of agriculture will
be represented at the international
barley and hop exhibition with a suit
able exhibit.
Bryan is right when he declares, :
IF you say to a man, TT is wrong
to- steal,' and he says, st don't know
about that"-don't argue with him,
search him.. If any one can read
that statement showing the last pub
lie alliance of our government with
the organized brewers without in
stantly seeing why we should, as
Christian people, enter protest there
isn't much use of argument I know
express your sentiment when I say
that the acceptance of the presidency
of a brewers congress by our secre-
tary of agriculture is an insult to the
members of the Christian churches in
this country and to all the better ele-
ment of our citizenship, and that he
has not only disgraced himself but put
an indelible stain upon the presidents
cabinet.
The secretary's letter of defense
is not even plausible. He saws this
congress is in the interest of hop grow
ers. True it is announced hop grow
ing will be discussed, but that is only
an incidental matter. No such spec
ious statement can blind the public
to the fact that it is not a hop grow
ers' convention but clearly congress
of brewers. 1t is really pitiful to see
the old man try to crawl out of his
shameful position by saying he will
have no actual presiding to do and
has only granted the use of his name
as honorary president. When or
where did a man ever have anything
more valuable to give than his name
I'VE insist that public officers shall
not only refrain from violations of
law, but that they shall so conduct
themselves as to create and increase
respect for authority; and for that
reason we protest against this action
of Secretary Wilson. No other bust
ness in the land so continuously and
flagrantly violates law. nor so uni
versally breeds contempt for law as
does the liquor business. Secretary
Wilson allies himself TO the knaves
who are behind the bootlegger and the
dive keeper, the blind tiger and the
gam bler'S ErOggery.
I'm the name of our youth, and of
the Christian church, in the name of
law and order. sobriety and morality
we protest; and finally out of regard
for the good old English word, hon
ora ble,' We protest"