The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1916-07-21
THE ADVOCATE AND THE
ANTI-SALOON LEAGUE

IAere recently appeared III tit ~,
Louis Christian Advocate, which is en-
dorsed and supported by the three
Conferences of Missouri Methodism,
letter endorsing Fred d. Gardner, can
didate for Governor, with an editor
ial note suggesting that the publica-
ton was in the interest of "the great
cause of temperance" This letter has
since been made into circular and is
being used for political purposes all
over the State. The Anti-Saloon
League, which is also endorsed and
supported by the three Conferences of
Missouri Methodism, is opposing the
candidacy of Col. Gardner on moral
grounds, acting thus under instruc-
lions from its governing body, COM
posed of the representatives of the
various religious denominations Thus
the Methodists of Missouri are in the
situation Of having one Of their in
stitutions opposing candidate for
moral reasons, while the same candi-
date is flooding the State with an ar
ticle from another Of their institu-
tons in his support. II seems to in
dictate division of influence, and in
order to clarity the situation the UNI
dersgned ministers Of Missouri Meth
odism request the Advocate to pub
lish at once, in space as prominent
as that given to the article above re-
ferred to, this statement.
|. The Anti-Saloon League is our
accepted leader in public matters OF
a moral nature, particularly in the
matter of temperance reform. 1t is
governed by the churches, we believe
it to be trustworthy, and it has fa-
cilities for gathering adequate infor-
nation. We feel that our people
should follow its leadership, that none
of our institutions should oppose it
save on grounds of absolute knowl-
edge, and that nothing should be
thrown in its way to disrupt its fore
es and hamper its influence.
II. After investigation, we are con-
WINGED that the position taken by the
Anti-Saloon League relative to the
candidacy of Col Gardner is well TAX
en- and should be Sustained Not on
ly has he declared his opposition TO
the program Of the organized and unit
ed temperance forces of the State, but
he is supported by most of the poll
ticians, publications and influences
which have always been subservient
to the LIQUOR interests and which adj
vocate the vicious policy of "a wide
open town" in St. Louis. 1t is fur
Their fact proven and confessed, that
this candidate has encouraged the
drinking habit and the liquor business
by engaging in the grewsome practice
Of shipping whiskey into "wet" and
"dry" territory alike by packing DEM
iiohns and cunningly devised boot
legger's canes with collins shipped by
the company of which he is the head
and owner. Signed statements from
reputable business men who actually
received the whiskey, as well as one
of the demiiohns and bootlegger's
canes. both of which bear the name OF
Colonel Gardner and which were filled
with whiskey when shipped by him are
now in the possession Of one OF the I'M
dersigned and have been seen BY
others. These statements and exh1b-
its fully establish the truthfulness OF
the charge that he has thus encour-
aged the drinking habit and liquoi
traffic.
If these facts had been known at the
time. we are quite sure that the Ad
vocate would not have published tbs
endorsement referred to above herein
And inasmuch as they are known now
and known to an absolute certainty
we consider that they unfit the can
didate to occupy an executive Once
having to do with the enactment ant
enforcement Of temperance legisla
ton. And we earnestly request tn
publication of this staetmcnt In Just
ice to the Anti-Saloon League and fe
the information of our people.
REV. w. M. RAIDER,
Jefferson City.
REV. o. M. HICKMAN,
Marshall.
REV. S. w. HAYNE,
Mexico.
REV. l.. f. SHOOK,
Independence.
REV. j. C. HANDY,
Cape Girardeau.
REV. w. A. HUMPHREYS,
Dexter.
REV. E. H. OREAR,
Charlottesville.
REV. o. H. DUGGINS,
Pennington.
REV. CLEARANCE BURTON.
Sikeston.
REV. j. w. HAM,
Desloge.
REV. M. H. MARKLEY,
Flat River.
REV. R. E. FOARD,
Festus.
REV. ]. T. SELF,
Potosi.
REV. "A. D. RANKIN,
Parma