The San Francisco call., 1896-05-30
But the Presbyterian Assembly
Cannot Agree on the
Matter.
NOR ON FINANCIAL AFFAIRS.
Resolu tions Directed Against the
Management of Foreign Missions
Meet With Rebuke.

SARATOGA, N. Y, May 29.-At the
opening of the General Assembly yes
terday, DR.. James Mcleod obtained the
floor and offered resolution for the con-
solidation of the treasury of the benevo-
lent societies, now operated under sep
arate treasurers at great expense. Re
ferred.
The report of the committee on system
attic beneficence was read. This was fol-
lowed by the special committees report on
church unity.
The report of the committee on theologi-
cal seminary control being again under
discussion, Chairman Muchmore assigned
the floor to Elder Thomas McDougall, who
spoke in support of the report He re-
cited the history of Union Seminary en-
dowments, showing that a large share
was due to assurances based upon the
compact of 1870 that Union Seminary was
so bound by that compact as to remain
forever Presbyterian institution. He ap-
pealed to all the seminaries to adopt the
plan of 1895.
DR.. Knox OF Westchester County, n. Y,
followed. He attacked the clause of the
report which threatened the suspension of
the assembly of the exercise OF powers
conferred upon the assembly by the COM
pact of 1870. He held that this clause was
denial of the legality of the compact of
1870, and showed that for declaring the
illegaity of that com pact Union Seminary
had been mathematical by the assembly
of 1893.
'Is this assembly prepared to say" he
cried, 'that the assembly of 1893 was
wrong?"
r The assembly adjourned with the dis
cussion still under way.
The subject of Seminary CONTROL will
be the third order for tomorrow. The
resolution OF the committee was unani-
mously adopted. The moderator was pro-
posed as chairman OF the committee and
by vote of the assembly was so appointed.
resolution from the committee on
bills and oyertures, IN answer to overtures
asking for reduction of expenses In the
administration of the affairs of the benevo-
lent boards, was read and adopted as de-
liyerance of the assembly.
With respect to the boards other than
the home and foreign mission boards, the
resolution declares that the affairs of the
board were managed with efficiency.
economy and fidelity.
A second resolution, in answer to SINH
lar resolutions directed against the home
and foreign mission boards, was answered
in the same manner.
The overture OF DR.. Mcleod, asking
for a consolidation of the board 8
treasures, was by a third resolution re-
ferred to the committee of nine already or
dered to investigate the home mission
board.
The Presbyterian General Assembly to-
day heard the claims of the several cities
as to the next meeting-place. Speeches
were made by representatives of Winona,
Ind, Petroskey, Mich, and San Fran.
cisco. By vote the assembly fixed upon
Winona, Ind, as the next place of meet
ing.
The report of the COMMITTEES on bills and
overtures reported that the rate of appor-
tionments for expenses of the assembly be
reduced from to cents per member.
The finance committees report was
read. 1t showed surplus in the treasury
of $59, 900.
A statement from Permanent Clerk Rev.
Dr.. Moore was read, denying the charge
that two clerks had prepared lists of COM
mittees in advance ana submitted them
TO the Moderator to help him in making
up his committees. The Moderator add ed
bly, applauded these statements.
The discussion of the theological semi
nary control WAS resumed, Judge Humph-
rey of Louisville supporting the report.
DR.. Agnew of Philadelphia offered a sub
stitute'for No. 2 of the resolutions, which
suspends the privileges conferred on the
assembly by the compact of 1870. The
substitute urges the seminaries TO take
| such steps as would bring about the adop-
tion of the plan of 1895, and he announced
that the committee had accepted the SUBJ
stitute as compromise.
The seminary control report, with the
substitute, was adopted unanimously.
The committee on foreign missions read
supplement report, recommending the
reelection of trustees whose terms expire
this year. This was agreed to. They also
reported three vacancies existed in the
board, for which no nominations were
made. They announced that these vacan-
cies be referred back to the board on re-
quest of the board itself for action. This
was also agreed to.
At the afternoon session DIR. w. II. Hub
bard OF Auburn presented the report of
the committee on temperance. 1t was
recommended that each church session
should appoint permanent committee on
temperance.