The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1895-05-21
IT Is WAR TOTHE KNIFE
General Assembly Insists on Con-
troll of Seminaries. -.~
WILL APPEAL TO LEGISLATURES.

The General Assembly Has No wish to Iu-
terfere with the Powers Of Trustees, but
Should be Court OF Final Adjudication
in All Controversies
PITTsBURa, May 2l-Yesterdny after
noon, by vote of asa TO 90, the Presby-
terrain General Assembly deoided to oon-
tinue the movement which Ia intended to
give the assembly absolute control over
Its theological seminsrios. The resolu-
lions and recommendations, which were
adopted by overwhelming majorities, were
D follows:
First-That 1t Is tho sense Of this as
sembly that the assembly Of 1894 did not
intend to prepare the way for any change
In the tenure or management OF the prop
erty Of the seminaries, or to do anything
which can affect the autonomy Of the sem
lnaries, and that tho said recommends
tions were intended TO have the meaning
effect as rectted in this committees re-
port. This asesmbly, In reafarming the
resolution Of the assembly Of 1894, does so
with the avowed Purpose Of leaving the
tenure and title to all property OF the
seminaries exactly where they are now,
in the hands OF the various boards Of
trustees, and with the further purpose Of
securing the veto power to the assembly
as an effective force by charter provision.
and Of safeguarding, by charter declara-
ton, the trusts held and to be held by
boards of trustees against perversion or
misuse.
Second-That this assembly reaflrms
the action Of the assembly Of 1894, and in
view Of the progress made and the i'm
portanoe Of the interests involved, declares
that In its Judgment the effort should be
continued to secure the adoption, in sub
stance, Of the assemblys plan by all the
seminaries.
Third-That committee be appointed
to have further charge Of this matter and
to make report to tho next general as
sembly.
structed in the prosecution Of its work and
In its report to the noxt assembly to give
full consideration to No. Q Of the concur.
y rent decorations Of the reunion compact OF
1870, in Its relation to those Summaries
now under synodioal and Presbyterian
control.
The following recommendations were
also adopted with regard to Princeton
seminary; while respecting the judg-
ment Of the boards, and not prepared to
say that 1t Is incorrect, the assembly Is Of
the opinion that in order to put the mat
ter beyond all possible question II would
be well for the boards TO do what they ex-
press their Willingness to do, viz: To en-
deavor to secure such action as will insure
to the General Assembly the right to be
represented In tho courts and TO enforce
Its proper control over the seminary and
Its property"
With regard to Western Theological
seminary in Allegheny, Pa, 1t was recon.
mended that the directors be requested to
secure the necessary legislation to enable
the general assembly to carry out the
principles set forth in the action Of the as
sembly Of 1894. The action with regard
to the seminary at Danville, Ky, was the
recommendation that the board Of direct
ors be requested to secure such legislation
not imperilling their charter, as will in
sure the general assembly the right TO be
represented in the courts and to enforct
Its proper supervision over tho seminary
and Its property"
The final resolution was couohed IL
these words, I'm regard to the seminariet
which have simply answered that action
Is not expedient. or the proposed amend
ments would be of doubtful validity, OIL
the way is not clear to act, 90 at present
informed, no opinion ID expressed in ~
much as these Summaries assigned nj
specific reasons for their action. The as
sembly cannot, therefore, make any sug
gestions to these seminaries, beyond al
earnest request that they reconsider theil
action, since the adoption, substantially
of the assembly's plan, by all the semi
naries, will give assurance to every donor
and to all our members, that these institu
tions are amply secured to the Presbyterian
church"
Their great success PROMISES to en-
holden the conservatives for drastic meas
ures against the students of Union sem
mary. The vote was declaration of wa
to the knife, and the only end will be sur
render or secession.