Evening journal., 1912-10-28
PROHIBITION
DIVIDES The
METHODISTS
CuratOrS Of Body Resign When
Cold Water Man Wins
Right to Speak
THEY WILL WORK
FOR OLD PARTIES

That all the Methodist preachers
who are members of the Wilmington
Methodist Preachers Association are
not Prohibitionists was disclosed at
the meeting of the association this
morning in Grace NJ. E. Church. Be-
fore the meeting it was said among
the ministers who came early. that
certain preachers, while opposed to
the liquor traffic expected to vote and
work for one of the candidates Of
the three big parties, that candidate
being of the party, to which that par
ticular minister belonged or with
which he was in sympathy.
This proposed action was spoken
OF unfavOrably in general conversa-
ton by several Of the preachers pres
ent prior to the meeting who were of
the opinion that as the church was
against the saloon and for prohibi-
tion the preachers should do all in
their power against the traffic and
lnnuence as many votes as possible
Tor the Prohibition partys candidates
The meeting Of the preachers was
called to order by the Rev. E. c. Mac
SOrley. president of the association.
IL was proposed by one OF the mem
bers that the program which had been
arranged for the meeting be post
poned until some future date, so that
the meeting could be addressed by
Aron Watkins. candidate of the Pro-
hibition party for vice-president.
After some discussion, during which
the Rev. John L. Johnson who was on
the program stated that he would be
glad to have the regular program
postponed, the question was put to a
vote and it was decided to postpone
the program to some later date that
Mr.. Watkins might address the meet
ing
The Rev W. A. Wise. Of the curator
committee, Immediately offered his
resignation as a member of the COM
mittee and uregd that it be accepted
at once He said his action was
prompted by the change of the pro-
grom. The resignation was accepted.
The resignation of the Reys. T. f.
Beauchamp and F. F. Carpenter, re-
naming members of the committee,
soon followed and we're accepted.
Mr.. MacSorley the president, was
given authority to appoint a new COM
mittee at any time he should desire
TO do so.
Mr.. Watkins had spoken by this
time and at the conclusion of the re-
marks, Mr.. MacSorley appointed the
Revs Harry Mitchell. L. f. Poole and
j. Richard Bickling as new members
of the curators committee. The COM
mittee will act until December 1.
It was said the resignation OF the
old committee was caused by the
three preachers not caring to have the
prohibition candidate address the
meeting, they belonging TO one Of the
principal parties. N
In his address Mr.. Watkins said he
WAS proud to be able to say that he
was Methodist preacher and that he
would rather be preacher than Vice
President of the country. He deplored
the fact that the preachers of today
take so little part in politics and said
that their duty demanded of them an
active part in the great questions OF
the day. He spoke at length upon
the liquor trade which he said was be-
coming a national issue of the great
est Importance.
The law makers of this country
are not in sympathy with any move
ment TO do away with whisky" de-
clared Mr. Watkins Look at the
great Titanic disaster Of all the many
questions asked about that disaster
not one went to the point Not a man
asked. how many casks of wine were
opened on the Inflated vessel on the
night of that feast"
Mr.. Watkins declared that under
present conditions and government
the saloon was licensed and had as
much right TO exist as the church.
The evil began in this country
when Lincoln signed the internal OF
internal revenue act. which ever you
choose to call it." declared Mr. Wat
kins, "and it has been with us since
It has become a great national ques.
tiOn, and must be remedied at once
Our three greatest presidents have
done nothing TO remedy the condi-
tions. All we're good men, but the
party behind them wanted whisky
and they got It. President Hayes
declared that no liquor should bC
served at the White House and the re.
suit was that he refused a second
term"
Mr.. Watkins again cautioned the
ministers about politics, and urgeC
them to fight for the prohibition cause
The following is Mr.. Watkins
schedule for the remainder of the day
Townsend at 3.45 p. m. TO 4.3S, anC
Dover at 5.14; Tuesday at Laurel from
1920 to 11.20; Selbyville from 1920
to 1.24; Lewes at 7.30: Wednesday a
Milton at 10 a. m; Frederick at / d
M and New Castle at D. m.