Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-05-20
E. E. White and DR.. Page on the
Presbyterian League Circular.
BREEZE IN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY
Resumption Of Debate on the
Summaries.
DIR. THOMPSON ARGUES

PITTSBURG, Pa, May 20-The morning
papers contained a letter, which was men
toned in dispatches last night, and which
raised a breeze in the Presbyterian general
assembly today. 1t purported to be an at
tempt to forestall the action Of the assem-
bly, in choosing a moderator in favor of the
liberal side.
Before the resumption of debate on the
seminary question Mr.. E. E. White and Dr.
William N. Page arose to questions OF per-
sonal privilege. and repudiated any connec-
ton with the letter or with its statements.
After the reference of certain papers in
regard to theological seminaries to DIR. +.
C. Monfort's committee on seminaries. the
discussion was continued, DIR. William =.
Thompson, president of Miami University,
at Oxford, Ohio. having the floor. He said
that there is misunderstanding on this
subject. 1t has been negotiation between
the assembly and the seminaries, the re-
suits of which have been stated to the as
sembly. The question now to the front Is:
What shall we do with the result present.
ed?"
There are legal and ecclesiastical consid-
erations concerned in this discussion. To
show his personal attitude the speaker
said that he was one of those who voted for
the veto Of Prof. Briggs, adding that he
would do it again, even If 1t drove Union
Seminary into Europe. But he did not be-
leve in the report before the assembly.
There are three things that the assembly
can do. Some think. apparently, that they
| must adopt the report pr quit" This Is
not the fact. 1t is possible to adopt the
report and then force the issue to dismiss
the committee and abandon the subject or
to report progress
The speaker then proceeded to discuss
the legal questions involved. stating that
the constitutions of the states make these
proposed changes impossible, unless the
charters of the Institutions concerned shall
be involved in danger. Charter changes
would involve litigation in the state courts
and the seminaries would be put to great
expense. The assembly sent out its agents
and their report has come back. II the
proposal is to force the issue then the as
sembly should assume all the risks and ex-
penses.
Proceeding to take up the point of the
report, DR.. Thompson said that the church
would do better to stand by the compact
made in 1870 with the seminaries rather
than to force them into a new arrangement
which they have declared unwise or i'm
that the seminary at Omaha is new in
stitution and could do as 1t pleased in get
ting terms of Incorporation. But the older
institutions could not do so. The fact was
asserted that these proposed changes would
endanger some Of the seminaries and might
cause their loss to the denomination. The
compact of 1870 has given the church Sc
curity and Will continue to do so.
The letter referred to in the dispatch was
a typewriter circular containing the secret
instrut tons which We're sent out from
| New York to mmiSsioners-elect in antici-
patton of the meeting of this assembly.
These circulars bear the mark of the Pres
byterian League an institution which tried
to save DR.. Briggs when the famous heresy
| trial was on in New York.
The circular referred to bears date of May
II. The envelope. which has the business
card of w. s. Gilman & Son printed on the
upper left hand corner, bears the same date
| in it's postmark. 1t contains full instruc-
| lions as to the management of the general
assembly in the matter of its organization.
1t gives reasons why Dr. John Hall and
DIR. George Alexander will not come to the
| assembly to stand as candidates for the
| modera torship.
The candidacy Of either would be unwise.
| the letter says, at this juncture, as 1t would
| be impossible to elect eastern man. A
western man would do much better, and
| DR.. William n. Page of Kansas is proposed
| as an eligible candidate, calculated to in
srire confidence in the peace-loving COM
missioners. The circular contains informa-
/ ton as to DIR. Booths candidacy, and
| warns the western delegates of the dangers
| that would result If he were chosen.
! 1t describes DIR. Booth dictatorial and
severe, and urges all peace-loving, fair
minded commissioners to come forward to
| the support of Page and defeat Dr. Booth
| Further advice is given as to DR.. E B.
| Whites leadership of the movement against
| DIR. Booth.
| These circulars have been diligently en-
| ployed by the leading conservatives to
strengthen their cause in the assembly
They say that it is the promoters of the
| Presbyterian League who have ruined the
| missionary boards of the church.