The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-05-17
4NII-BKIGGS MEN WIN.
Rev, DIR. Booth Chosen Moderator oil tue
Norihern Presbyterian Assembly

PITTsBURG. PA, May i6.-Notwith-
standing the well-lald plans OF the Pres
bvtcrian League of Liberals ana Alll-
Conservatives, the Out-and-out anti
Rriggs men were successful to-day III
electing their candidate for moderator OF
the one hundred and seventh General As
smbly-Rev Dr. Robert Russell bOoth'
of the Rutgers church. New York city
This campaign Tor Or. Booth pegah
weeks ago. It was carried on from
New York city by master hands, III man
ner that would have brought poth cteul'
in a contest with experienced politicians.
AS soon as il was understood that Dr'
Booth was to be the candidate or the
Conservatives, the friends Of Or. Briggs
and Union Seminary took alarm. lheS
engaged the energies of the Presby terian
League. an Organization pledged 10 the re-
versal Of the acts Of the preceding as
aemblies in the Briggs case. The Pres
byterian League, through us millionaire
members in Wall street. dominates the
Boards for Home and Foreign Missions,
IN the Presbyterian Church, which have
their headquarters in Firth avenue.
majority of each board, and many or
the secretaries and clerks openly sympa-
thze with the objects Of the League.
DIR. BooIH's CAREER.
Dr. Booth is a member Of the Foreign
Board. lie has always been prominent
In its councils. Years ago he lifted an
enormous debt-nearly half a million dol
lars-that had rested for years upon the
Boards treasurers a few years ago his
influence turned the vote In the Foreign
Board I'm favor Of a change IN the charter
bringing the board under the direct con-
troll Of the General Assembly. Every
man connected with the board understood
wa iufrnIr4l
Briggs influence. Understanding this,
the missionary strength was enlisted I'm
a measure In this fight Instructions were
sent out 10 each delegate known 10 be I'm
sympathy with the Briggs side. the word
being. anything to beat Booth"
would AMAZE AN oLD-rrMER
An old-tme father Of the Presbyterian
Church remembering the cordial reunion
of the Old and NeW-SchOOl Churches which
took place here twenty-five years ago, and
which this asse mbly is 10 commemorate
could he have stood here to-day, he would
have been amazed 10 witness the lobby
ing methods in vogue In d General As
semhly The Conservatives acted 20 q
man under clear an1 definite instructions
10 give their full strength TO Dr. Booth.
The Liberals and the weakened Con-
servatives had their instructions, but they
"A
they met in caucus and discussed the
most available man. In this they could not
fgree. so when the votes were counted
they were divided-165 for Dr. pahe, Of
Topeka. and 50 for Dr. Adams. OF Min
neapolis, showing a strength of Liberals
nearly double that found in any Assembly
for the last five years.
ARE WASTING THE FUNDS.
The lines on which the campaign was
conducted were clearly shown in the NOM
mating speeches to-day on the floor OF
the Assembly. Understanding the issues
clearly, and the forces that were worked
against him, Dr. Booths Missionary
Committee, which he will announce to-
morrow, may be expected 10 put the
screws upon the Home ann Foreign
Boards. The situation with respect 10
these boards is most distressing al this
jLncture, as the western commissioners
are constrained that the boards are vast
ing their funds and violating their pledges
to donors. in the erection OF twenty
story marble palace In Fifth avenue. at
a cost of 100000 Both boards came 70
the Assembly with enormous debts, the
one $f.l75000. and the other $4,000. and
but two years ago the accounts showed
surplus In the treasury. Sweeping changes
are imperative in the Offices OF the Mis-
sionary Boards. IL is clearly the inten-
ton 10 raise these points in the Assem-
bly, Missionary Committees this year
Should this issue reach the floor OF the
Assembly, a violent and determined op-
position would arise that would make this
Assembly memorable.
THE VOTING.
On the call Of the roll the vote stood
as follows: Booth 900. Page TO- Adams 3d.
The election having been made unani-
nous DR.. Booth was escorted 10 the
platform by Governor Beaver and Profess
sor Senos. and formally welcomed 10 the
chair by the retiring moderator. Dr.
Booth and his advisers worked until a
late hour making up the membership or
the assembly committees. The important
committee this year will be on bills and
overtures on which the question OF the
treatment OF Union Seminary students
will be considered: on theological semi
nary. which will take up the questions
relating TO these institutions: on home
and forelgn missions. which examines