The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1889-10-18


legally done. For a number of years
the "large number gone off with the
"seceders'' has struggled to maintain
Philomath college. The ''seceders"
built it and they have controlled it
without molestation until the so called
bishop came here, and began TO Cen
tighten the people" Before his COM
ing, all was harmonious, to all appear
ances, but by repeated attempt to
muster enough members to hold con-
ference, this dignitary, assuring the
people of Philomath that he was ''The
bishop. duly elected" and vested with
authority, supported by another bishop
claiming like power, mustered GER
tain element at this place, that has
long since been publicly regarded as
out of joint, not in harmony with the
Oregon conference, together with some
others, who, though bitterly opposed
to the distinctive views of said element
must have been deluded by the oft
repeated assumption, ''The Radicals
will not get dime of the church
property" these men lately from the
east were want to force upon The peo-
pie at this place, and, in violation of
pledge made to 1.-THE writer by Hott,
made in good faith as between friend
and friend, they proceeded to wrest
from the legally elected trustees OF
Philomath college the management of
said institution. So complete and sue
cessful was this usurpation that the
bishop in reporting the same to his
friends in the east pictured the sweep
ing charge in fash of poetlcal i'm
agery as follows: s'No new develop
ments. We have the key to the situa-
tion. Secessionists will not stand fire.
Last night, when they looked over the
results of the day, they saw the track
of cyclone"
This "board of most honorable and
estimable business men" through an
agent took possession of the buildings
and funds. A night lock was placed
upon the front door and barrel bolts
upon number of other doors. No
notice was given to any one as to their
right to thus close the building against
the trustees, whose time had not yet
expired, and members of the church,
who contributed largely in the construc-
tion Of the building, and to the sup
port of the institution, as well. Such
fragrant abuse of christian courtesies
was unbearable. The only remedy
Was to place an injunction upon the in
truders, and thus bring the matter be-
fore the civil courts for adjustment.
A counter-injunction was issued upon
the affidavir that the so-called "se-
ceders" some of which were formerly
the "most estimable and honorable
business men," did by force break the
locks of said building, and thus secur-
ed possession; that they took off the
locks and put on others instead, all
for the purpose of preventing the
trustees of the college from entering
and conducting the school. The en-
trance was made by the use of the
keys belonging to said building, in
broad daylight, by the trustees of
Philomath college after the sheriff had
completed his mission to the city.
Not very plain case Of "surrepti-
tious" house-breaking.
cit will be strange chapter in the
history of the religious liberty of our
country" when faction, however great,
arises in church and, contrary to its
constitution, tramples down the cher
ished principles of thousands of mem-
bers, and thus breeds disturbance, dis,
sention, and separation.
''The secession from the church may
reach ten or fifteen thousand from
membership of over two hundred
thousand" multiplied by ten.
The pitiable plea for "the charitable
1
Judgment Of the public in the behalf
of small religious force in this beau
tiful land toward the sunset" SO re-
Gently visited by cyclone or ..jim-
mie( tt)cane," is stranger still.
Think of a cyclone pleading for
place in which to accomplish devasta-