The herald., 1895-03-29
Election of the First Presby.
terian Church
A QUESTION OF LOCATION
Strong Protest Against the Trustees
Action
Many Claimed the New Lot Was too Far Out %
Town But They Were +sa
Ovsrruled

The members Of the congrega tion OF the
First Presbyterian Church had very
nice time down at Illinois Hall, at Fifth
and Broadway, last night. The meeting
was for the purpose of selecting now
board OF trustees. and most of the discus
sion was caused by the dissatisfaction
that exists on the part of some OF the new
members with the action of the last board
of trustees in purchasing lot at the COR
ner of Twentieth and Figueroa streets on
which new church is to be erected.
OF course there were no unpleasant de-
bates. There never are at Presbyterian
meetings. But for all that Judge McKin-
ley managed to smuggle in remark once
in while chat gave a little zest to pro-
ceedings that might otherwise have been
dull and monotonous. Mr.. Sauson. who
Is one OF the trustees that selected the
new lot, made speech that contained
good many plain statements. Mr..
Mays read a lot of statistics and Mr..
Duncan furnished more or less comedy.
Mr.. salisbury. who is also trustee, stood
up before the congregation and answered
questions tor half an hour, and the oc.
casion developed a host of inquisitive
people, so that he had his hands full.
The chairman had lovely time. Points
OF order bristled as numerous as spear
heads in medieval army, and parlia-
mentary questions raised themselves like
tiocks OF reed birds over favorite marsh.
Men were nominated for the board of
trustees, and then sponsors touched and
every Imaginable phase OF church poll
tics. 1t was understood by everybody
that the reelection of the old board
meant an endorsement by the congrega-
tion Of their action in purchasing the
Twentieth street lot. Two tickets were
in the field, and after everybody hal
ttlked all he or she wanted to III their
support, Chief of Police Glass suggested
tnat Mr.. Salisbury and the other trustees
explain why they had bought the much
discussed lot. 1t took ten minutes before
a condition of parliamentary affairs per-
mitting this could be reached.
Then Mr.. Salisbury took his stand in
front of the hall. He announced that he
had no explanation to make, but said
he would answer all the questions that
were asked him. He did the best he
could.
Somebody wanted to know whether
lot nearer the center of the city could
not have been secured. Mr.. Salisbury
responded that none suitable could have
been purchased at price so that enough
money would have been left with which
to erect an adequate church build ny.
But it would take page to tell all the
questions that were asked. Mr.. Salisbury
displayed wide knowledge OF church
natare In his replies.
Then Mr.. Slauson made his speech.
Reference, said he has Deen made
to my being rich man. | thank God
for what he has given me. l am rich.
But if there is a member of the congr .ga-
when he came to me, l want him to get
right up and say so. petition was pre-
sented to the trustees urging them not to
purchase the Twentieth street lot. Most
of the 179 names on it were delinquent in
their obligations to the church. Most of
this opposition to our action is on the
part of those who are delinquent
Other trustees briefly stated why they
had voted in favor OF the Twentieth street
property, and then somebody suggested
that as there seemed to have been enough
talking done. it might be well to proceed
to the election. s4
1 hen it was found that Walter Gordon,
one of the opposition men, declined to
stand. Several names We're suggested for
the vacancy on the ticket but none would
accept. Judge Mckinley. in a spirit of
levity, moved that Mr. Greenwald be ap.
fill the vacancy. Mr.. Greenwald, who was
active in support Of the opposition ticket,
had had two or three passages at arms
with Judge Mckinley during the evening
and he somewhat sharply retorted that
as there existed so much harmony be-
tween himself and the Judge that perhaps
they had better retire together. But the
election was finally arrived at. About
225 ballots were cast; of these the old
ticket composed of J. C. Salisbury, J. s.
Slauson. George H. Stewart, J. M. Wit
mer and D. K. Brearly received about
125 and were declared elected The other
ticket was composed of Messrs Day, Hen
derson, Edwards and Mckinney.
]. X. Hoffman. H. G. Wyley and M.
n. Avery were elected elders and James
Slauson, J. 7. Newkirk, W. H. Mead ami
William Sheldon, deacons.
Another meeting will be held on Satur
day night.