The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1889-09-13
PHILOMATH COLLEGE.

| LIDS. 1AZEIIE.---
AS there is a mistaken idea as to the
school affairs at this place, it is proper
that statement of the facts in the
case be presented to the public.
The present distraction grows out
of a separation in the church, caused
by an attempt OF one party in the
church to force upon the other party
what was thought to be an unconstitu-
tional measure. This disagreement
| gives rise to two parties, Liberals,
and Radicals" the Liberals claiming
| to be the true church 10y reason of the
great number of ministers and laymen
who hold that the general conference
of the church is superior to the con-
stitution of the church, while the other
party claims the right to the original
named "United Brethren in Christ"
because they continue to hold the
faith and constitution upon which the
church was founded.
The present and only trouble is the
right to the property belonging to the
church. The general property is be-
ing held by the Liberals but the local
property is held by the party which
happens to have the majority or hold
the keys. This creates great trouble.
The courts will determine the tenure
of property. A test case has been be-
gun at Dayton, Ohio.
Of the $50 members of the church
in the Oregon conference, 700 to 500
are opposed to the changing of the
discipline contrary to the constitution.
This conference has held Philomath
college under it's control since its
founding. Its chosen representatives
are an incorporated board of trustees
who are the legal custolians of the
property of the college. This board
has had full control of the property
and have not been disturbed in the ex-
ercise of the power delegated to them
by the conference, until the 17th of
July, when a Liberal bishop and three
ministers and two lay delegates, who
turned Liberal" not long before their
coming, came to Pbilomath and held,
what they called, the. Oregon annual
conference. These parties assumed
the right to expell, without cause or
trial, number ofthe legally constitu-
ted trustees and proceeded to fill the
vacancies, thus created, with liberals.
By this unjust legislation they secured
quorum and proceeded to transact
business in the name of Philomath
college. The former trustees, who
held all the deeds, mortgages, bonds,
and funds of the college refused to turn
over said deeds, mortgages, bonds and
funds to his regular successor who was
duly elected in the regular annual
meeting of the trustees in June, nearly
month before the setting of this newly
constituted board. This new board
have secured the property of the col
lege, announced school for this year,
to begin one week earlier than the
sime fixed by the board at the close of
the last college year. Hence two
schools have been announced.
With these facts before them, the
old board is determined to press its
claim for the management and control
of Philomath college. To this end
an injunction has been served upon
those who have thus intruded upon
the corporate rights of the trustees of
Philomath college. The case will be
tried in November
School will open Sept. 18th, as di-
rected by the board, and previously an
nounced. The advanced students of
last year will be present to enter on the
first day. Let all the friends of the
school extend this notice and thus cor
rect the statement that the president
of last year will not teach in Philomath
this year.
Should the Liberals secure a counter
injunction, we will not suffer any great
inconvenience, as we have suitable
building rented for the year. So that
in any event we will go forward with
the regular courses in the several de-
partments of Philomath college.
]. G. KEEzEL.