Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-11-23
REPORT ON MEMORIALS.


The Committee on Memorials to General
Conference reported on eleven memorials
that had been referred to 1t. or this
number the committee concurred in only
two, that offered by Rev. James Cannon,
Jr, limiting the term i'm which a minister
may serve in the Office of presiding elder
to eight successive years, and that Of
fered by Rev. w. =. Wright, making
presidents OF Epworth leagues ex-ofiiclo
members of quarterly conferences. In
addition to these the committee offered
a substitute for DR.. Rays memorial on
the subject of rearranging presiding
elders districts, which, being accepted
by DR.. Ray, made the committees ac-
ton equivalent TO concurrence.
Discussion OF the report Of the Commit
tee on Memorials to General Conference
was interrupted by the arrival OF the hour
for the special order-election of dele
gates to the General Conference. The
election of delegates proceeded very
lesureIy, the nine ballots occupying from
Y o'clock NJ. to l p. NJ, the hour Of adj
journment, and from 3 p. NJ. Of the spe-
cial afternoon session to 6 2. NJ. While
the various ballots were being counted,
however the body continued to transact
business, though In disconnected way.
Lay delegates to the General Conference
were elected at the morning session, as
follows: On the first and after ballots
A. e. Kellam, C. f.. yawter, and DR.. w.
w. Smith.
Question 1 was called, and ]. f.. Brooks
and j.. r. Sewell were admitted on trial.
Afternoon Session.
The afternoon session was opened with
brief devotional exercises, and the Sc
cond and third ballots for lay delegates
to the. General Conference were taken
without result. On the fourth ballot
r. w. Peatross, OF Danvile. was elected;
On the eighth, r. s. Paulett, OF Farmyille,
and on the ninth J. II. Branch. Of Rich
mond. The reserve lay delegates are:
Carter Glass, of Lynchburg; f.. G.. Nose
ley, Of Danvile. and J. c. Parker, of Suf-
folk. The first ballot for clerical dele
gates in the election OF five delegates re-
suited as follows: Drs. j. p. Garland l55;
r. n. Sledd, 1853; Paul Whitehead, l4S; A.
G.. Brown, 126; and A. Coke Smith. 12l
Two hundred and fourteen votes were
cast, 1OS being necessary to a choice.
preachers were voted FOR
on the first ballot. On the fourth clerical
ballot Dr. w. T.. Edwards was elected.
The reserve clerical delegates elected are:
j. ]. Lafferty.
THE ROSEBUDS.
The report of the Rosebud societies of
read by Rev. j. III. Campbell,
shows a total collection during the year
of s3.SOs.2s; interest and cash on hand. |
=, 4S3, making a grand total available OF |
i5,29l.&. Eighteen new Rosebud socie- |
les were organized during the year. The |
report Of appropriation 10 the superan- |
1uates and widows and orphans Of de- |
leased ministers showed that total of,
ll155 had been thus appropriated.
The Committee on Conference Enter
ainment was elected as follows: A. G.
Brown, B. F. Lipscomb. J. o. Moss. w. |
w. Vicar, and C. V. Winfree.
c. T.. Vawter submitted a report from
he Committee on Prison Reform. The
eport was received and adopted with APP
clause. and the Bishop requested all the
'apers I'm the State to publish the report
n full II was as follows:
Danville. Va, November q. 1897.
70 the Virginia Conference of the Metho-
dist Episcopal Church, South:
Brethren.-The special committee
appointed by your order on pri-
on reform would most respect
ully represent that the facts are
made known 10 US through Official re-
orts and through other means that our
'irginia Penitentiary is most fearfuily
vercrowded; that this condition or
fairs has continued through many
ears and that the want OF a proper \
royision there for deceney and for pre-
erting. on the part OF the prison
uthorities. the further degradation OF
hese unfortunate creatures, is dis
race 20 our humanity and our Christi
nifty. The young in crime are crowded
! with old. hardened sinners. and no
FORK for tho proper reformation OF these
riminals can be efficiently done.
Again, such is the condition OF the
rison through overcrowding. through
Tant OF ventilation. and through want
Z proper sanitary conditions. that con-
rmption and other diseases are fearfuiiy
ropagatsl, and the death rate Is far be-
ond what II should be. We do not pre-