The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1927-08-08
Methodist Pastor Dies
as He DeHUerS Sermon
PASTORS LAUD
SHUMAKER;H HIT
COURT ACTION
People of State Ready to
Register Protest, Say
Many Ministers.

indianapolis ministers who COM
mented from the pulpit Sunday on
the six-day contempt sentence given
Edward S. Shumaker by the Indi-
ana Supreme Court had only praise
for the dry leader.
At the East Tenth NJ. E. Church,
whose pastor, the Rev. George s.
Henninger, is an Ant-Saloon League
trustee, a unanimous rising vote in
the Sunday School expressed SYM
pathy with Shumaker and disap-
prevail of the Supreme Court action.
About $50 persons, all but one
man in the audience, stood when
he asked a similar expression at
the morning church service, Mr..
Henninger said.
"Shumaker never was guilty of
the attempt to libel" declared Hen
ringer, and if the Supreme Courts
action had been one entirely with
out prejudice, sentence Of $3.50
and one day would have been just
as severe punishment as $3.50 and
the sixty days"
DR.. Orien w. Fifer, Central Ave-
nue. NJ. E. Church pastor, cited Shu-
makers record as a liquor foe for
nearly a quarter-century.
Can Court Be Touched?"
Concluding a sermon on the text,
Handle me and see," DR.. Fifer said:
I'VE are all interested this morn
ing whether the Supreme Court is
touchable or Observation-Disclosures
one man can touch it. Judicial re-
spect is an old American principle
and churchmen are the first to re-
spect and obey the law"
"As to his guilt, it is not for lay
men say. That belongs to the courts
and those skilled in the law. 1 be-
lieve the penalty inflicted on DR..
Shumaker will not add to the esteem
or influence of the Supreme Court"
The Rev. j. w. McFall, Broad
way M. E. Church pastor, declared
freedom of speech gives anyone a
right to review the actions of the
courts and to criticise their de-
cisions."
while Shumaker was convicted
for contempt, many ober-minded
men in Indiana would have charged
him with cowardice had he said
nothing against some things which
should not have passed unrebuked."
Urges Clean Politics
THE people of Indiana will regis
ter their protest against this punish
ment given good man in whom
they believe. Politics in Indiana
should be better than it is, for it is
not what it should be-"
The Rev. G. L. K. Smith, pastor
of University Place Christian
Church, Fortieth ST., and Capitol
Ave, said:
1T seems to me that a terrible
injustice has been done to one of
Indiana's greatest men. 1t seems
inconsistent to me that our so-called
system of justice would let criminals
loose on the streets and, apparently
for petty political reasons. would
step from dignified course of pro-
cedure to punish a high-class, law
abiding citizen like DR.. Shumaker.
II believe that 500 preachers of
Indiana would be glad to repeat the
words for which DR.. Shumaker was
convicted"
The Rev. M. A. Farr, pastor of
the Broad Ripple Methodist Church,
said:
II believe that the Supreme
Courts decision regarding Edward
S. Shumaker will be regarded by
all right thinking people as an ex-
tremely weak decision.
Judge Willoughby, we all remem-
Der, was opposed at election time by
the Anti-Saloon Leauge. This
makes his part in the decision ex-
tremely significant.
Sees Stronger Dry Fight
Incidentally, the Supreme Court
is not to be considered above
criticism. When the newspapers
should be so ready to hail this
Shumaker decision, leaves only one
inference. In my opinion, this de-
cision will operate only toward
stronger prohibition sentiment"
The Rev. Thomas j. Hart, pastor
of the Barth Place M. E. Church,
spoke briefly preceding his sermon:
Edward S. Shuinaker is the
victim of prejudice" he said "The
Supreme Courts action will canonize
him and will make him an inter-
national character, fully believe.
The too severe decision will bring
forth the sure reaction that follows
a grave injustice"