The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1894-05-18
OVER A MODERATOR
Liberals in the General Assembly
Beaten by a Narrow Margin.

The Assembly Composed Largely of
New Men and Much Interest Felt in
How They Stood on the Issues Be
fore the Church-Au Calculations
Upset by the Result of the Days
Balloting.
Saratoga, N Y, May 1.-THE one
hundred and sixth general assembly of
the Presbyterian church was convened
today by Moderator W. G. Craige in the
auditorium of the First Presbyterian
church. The assembly is composed
largely of new men, few of whom have
taken any part in the struggle that has
brought the Presbyterian church into
prominence the past few years. Esti-
mates nave been made as to how these
new men stood en- the issues before the
assembly, but to-dav's contest for the
moderator upset all these estimates.
delegates all over the house kept tab on
the vote as it was in progress. Before
tie tellers had summed up the result it
was learned that of the four candidates
the liberal man was far in the lead.
THE ASSEMBLY IN UPRoAR.
The New Workers made efforts to get
their votes changed by the moderator,
and in a moment the emily was in an
uproar. Loud calls of ORDER We're
heard all over the church. Dozens of
preachers were on their feet at once, cry
ing out to the moderator. On a second
vote the liberal was defeated by but
eleven votes This announcement was
loudly questioned by the liberals, but the
moderator ignored the clamorings and
l..lora1 D1- Samual A MOtpbpora of
Philadelphia, the moderator
The other three candidates were Rev,
Arthur j. Brown, of Portland, Ore. Rev.
William B. Noble. of California; and Dr.
James Gardner, of Gloverville, N. Y.
The roll is arranged by synods in alpha
betical order, beginning with the southern
cities, where the churches are chiefly
mission stations.
BRIGGS MEN BACK BROWN.
On the first ballot it was seen that not
only the Briggs men, but all the young
preachers and elders from these sections
were voting for DR.. Brown. Committees
from the New York Presbyteries, nearly
100 in number, were counted upon to vote
almost solid for DR.. Gardner, but DR..
Brown received % of these votes The
New York city delegation was also
divided, DR.. Birch and Elder Worrall
voting for DR. Mutchmore. The vote, as
SlLuuldtlLeus
votes in the lead, with DR. Gardner cred
tied with about 100votes.
RUSH TO CHANGE VOTES.
COL McCook. from the New York dele
CATION, arose in his seat and requested
the tellers to change his vote from DR..
Gardner TO DR.. Mutchmore. Other New
Workers. followed with the same request,
and Immediately there was an uprising of
Gardner men to get themselves counted
on the Mutchmore side. The home mis-
sionaries arose against this, and attempted
TO check the tide. They made motions
and raised points of order.
A motion was finally made to hear the
report Of the tellers. This was carried
with whirl. Here is the vote as an
nounced: Brown 223, Mutchmore 207,
Gardner SO, Dinsmore "A.
MUTCHMoRE WINS.
Dr. Dufield then withdrew DIR. Gard
ners name. DIR, Dinsmore was also with
drawn and the roll was called again for
votes on DR. Mutchmore's and DR..
Browns names. 1t was after o'clock
the result announced DIR. Mutchmore
received PSI votes and DIR. Brown 269. A
committee was dispatched to inform the
successful candidate, and in pleasant
exchange of courtesies retiring Moder-
ator Craig welcomed his successor to the
platform and passed over the gavel into
his hand. The assembly then adjourned
after the most surprising contest for mod
orator in its history.
The evening session was given up to
the regular service of the holy commun-
lon IN which all of the commissioners
joined.