Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-02-24
The Pastors Pay.

VERDICT FOR A MINISTER AGAINST CHURCH TRUs-
TEES.
This morning the case or tne Rev. JOS P. Will
son, formerly pastor of the First Methodist Pro-
testant church (near the navy yard, against the
trustees of the church. on two notes given for his
salary some years ago, was concluded by verdict
for plaintiff. The trial was commenced yesterday
afternoon, and the giving of the notes was admit
ted. Mr. StilIson, for the DEFENDANTS claimed that
under the law the trustees had not the power to
bind the church, nor did they possess that power
under the discipline
Judge Macarthur said the Scriptures taught
that the ''labOrer is worthy of his hire" and he
knew Of no class who labored harder and were
worse paid than Ciergymen.
Mr. Stillson said the congregation did not hire
the labOrer. He was sent by the conference nolens
yoens, and had no legal contract. but relied upon
donations.
Judge MacArthur.-"But having received his
m1nistrations they ought to pay him.
Mr. Stillson-"But the congregation which re-
ceived Brother Wilson's mn1strations Is half gone.
Shall the present congregation be compelled to
pay for the ministry OF their fathers?'
that the sins OF the fathers are visited upon the
children, and think they ought to pay" Laugh
Mr.. stlson.-"ought they to pay for what was
done over five years ago?"
Judge MacArthur.-"Why, yes The act of lin
itaton In the church does not go into effect until
after the third or fourth generation" Laughter
Much OF the testimony was to the rules and
uSages OF the church, and. as stated above the
verdict was for the plaintiff
The case of Childs one OF the former members
against the trustees OF the church, on note. was
called and verdict given for the dafendant-the
note bearing the mark OF being cancelled.
CALL UPON THE PREsIDENT.-A committee from
the National Encampment of the Grand Army of
the Republic, consisting of General George S. Mer
rill, commander-in-c chief General John c. Robin
son, OF New York, past commander-in-chief; Cor
poral James Tanner, past department commander
OF New York; Dr. AZel Ames, jr., OF Massachusetts,
Medical Director; and Colonel Paul Brodie, past
n n6n 10T rfy nant nff fI,oD
mac, called upon the President yesterday after
noon to invite his attention to section 1854 of the
Revised Statutes concerning the employment OF
ex-soldiers In the government service, and to the
fact that it has not been observed in that liberal
spirit which prompted its enactment The COM
mittee also recommended the appointment OF E.
w. OYSTER OF Pennsylvania, to the Office Of public
printer.
THE FORTHCOMING REPORT on THE POTOMAC
RIVER IMPROvEMENT.-When the report of the
board on the Improvement OF Washington and
Georgetown harbors and the reclamation Of the
Potomac flats is received by Gen. Wright he will
sion to Congress, either with his concurrence or
with remarks where he nOn-concurs. There is
every probability, however, that he will concur In
the report The report will be enti; led to more
consideration than any upon the same subject
that has ever been made. 1t will be more COM
plete' and Will be made upon data as accu-
cure It is the general general impression i'm i al among s
Ofcers OF the engineer corps and others inter
$50 - WV ouOJ..s i" dShiuS CoA ID ldI
nearer having something practical done with the
river fats than she ever was before As hereto
fore stated In The STAR, the report OF the river
and harbOr improvement board will entirely har-
mOniZe the main features OF Major Twining's
plan and the plan OF Col. Albert, which in them
selves differ very little materially. AS the work
when authorized goes on there viii very likely be
changes In detail. All general plans are subject
to such changes as the work upon them shows to
be necessary.
ADMIRAL AMMEN ON THE NEW NAvY.-Admiral
Ammen, one OF the most experienced officers of the
navy, and one OF those most interested in building
1t up, to-day expressed pleasure at the action OF
the naval committee OF the House in coming to It's
present which have already been given
in THE STAR. The only thing that he regretted
was the fact that only one marine ram was down
In the list or vessels to be built 81 would like to
see two rams built" he said; zone to have pro-
peller FOR its motive power, and the other to have
Two screws. would like to see which one was the
better. am confident that the weaker one would
be stronger than any other vessel OF war In the
world except Its stronger sister,"
THE FOLLOWING PROMOTIONS have been made
In the Indian bureau OF the Interior department:
Charles II. Dickson from 81 400 clerkship to 81 600;
G. +. Larrabee, Matthew Trtmbae. r.. F. Thomp-
son, N. Bradley 8. E Slater 81 200 to 81 400; j.
H. Bell, j. Staley, $500 to 81 ,00: Mrs Julia Hen
derSon, Mrs Marflla Wakefield $40 to $500; G. G..
Nelson. S2S0 TO S900. X Rrld Tn