The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-05-22
His Speech in Presenting Indiana
Greeted with applause.
IMPORTANT MATTER DEBATED
TWO REPORTS ON THE PREsBYTERI.
AN BUILDING IN NEW YORK,
Minority Represented by DIR. McDOu-
for Majority-Worl1 of Women.
Special to the Indianapolis Journal.

WINONA PARK, EAGLE LAKE Ind
May 21.-Pyrotechnics of the most brilliant
sort have marked the second day of the
Presbyterian General Assembly. The ex-
citement which people have learned to look
for in a gathering of this kind came on the
question Of the report of the committee of
eleven on the Presbyterian building in New
York, problem which has bothered the as
sembly for years. The majority submitted
it's report in the morning with the names
of ten of the committee appended to it, but
Mr. Thomas McDougau of Cincinnati, sub
mitted minority report, he himself, alone
and unaided, constituting the minority. The
minority report was utterly opposed to that
of the ajority and recommended the sale
of the New York building and the devotion
of the funds thus secured to the cause of
missions. In fifty-nine pages of printed
matter, the reading of which consumed
most of the day. Mr.. McDougalI ably de-
Tended his position. DR.. Withrow, chairman
of the committee, read a majority report
and General Benjamin Harrison and Sam
uel B. Huey of Philadelphia spoke in favor
of it. Though the subject was somewhat
arithmetical the commissioners were re-
galed with a feast of oratory, for the
speeches were all excellent in character.
The question is still unsettled, and a spe-
cial order was made of the matter for to-
morrow morning at 1880 o'clock, and
extra meeting ordered for the afternoon,
that consideration of the arguments may
be completed as soon as possible. This will
be the first time in many years that Pres
byterian General Assembly has held a
Saturday afternoon session, but, as DR..
Withrow suggested, there is no matinee
here for the commissioners to attend.
General Harrison distinguished himself
by two eloquent speeches to-day; one in
presenting the Presbytery of Indiana gavel
to the moderator and the other in defense
of the majority report. He was allowed to
speak on the report by courtesy of Mr.. Nc
Dougall, who had not yet finished his read
ing. General Harrison was compelled to
leave by an afternoon train and so was al
lowed to speak out of the regular order.
Tonight almost all the talk is in favor of
the majority report. The commissioners
recognize Mir. McDougalls sincerity and
Observation-Disclosures, but seem to feel that the
ten distinguished men who compose the ma
jority are more likely to be right than the
minority of one. The talk about the hotels
is about in the same proportion against Mr..
McDougal as the opinions of the commit
teemen-10 to /. Those who know Mr.. Me-
Dougall say it is his natural love Of opposi-
ton which leads him to take the course he
has, though it cannot be denied that the
obstinate member hit some telling blows.
Mr.. Wanamaker is expected to speak to-
morrow, as Will number OF Others and
Mr. McDougall will probably say something
more. 1t is possible he may succeed in
sWaying the assembly, for mis- eloquence
has a powerful erect, especially on those
who have no decided opinions either way.
q TODAY
presenting the gavel to the moderator
made nit The gavel was composed of
beech and maple. The oak, he said, repre-
sented the Calvanistic framework of the
church. the poplar the rree civil govern
ment fostered by the chufch; the black
walnut not painted nor hidden stood for
the church's love of tinishtor individualism;
the beech, with dropping branches and
cnging leaves typined the sheltering of
the church for the lambs OF God ana the
maple, with its message or sweetness, stood
for the retiring moderator ana ms sermon
The various pieces OF wood were all his
toric The oak was the first church in In
diana and from Hanover Theological Semi
mary the mother of Mccormick Seminary,
Chicago. The black walnut Twas from the
First Church of Indianapolis. All con-
stituent parts represented first things.
hearty round of applause, which burst out
anew at frequent intervals when the gem
eral made some especially apt or witty re-
mark. His reference 10 Dr. jackson, S
small stature, comparing him to maple
syrup boiled down. was the occasion of con-
siderable merriment and 1t is safe to say
that in ali his career General Harrison has
never made a more favorable impression on
his audience An enthusiast at the close
of the speech inquired in a loud tone,
What's the matter with Harrison?" and
was greeted by the usual response.
Stated Clerk Roberts took advantage of
an opportunity this morning to say a good
word for the management of Winona. His
remarks came as surprise, for he and the
Winona people have been at swords points
from the beginning. There has been a
great deal OF talk against him and many
rumors of a movement TO GUST him, and
MANY think that DR.. Robertss remarks
this morning were for the purpose of max
ing himself solid with the opposition
He did not go SO far as to commend the
Accommodations for the assembly, but
spoke in high praise of the efforts which
have been made by the management to en-
tertain the General Assembly and the uni
form courtesy and kindness with which
the commissioners have been received.
General Harrison left for indianapolis
late this afternoon, accompanied by Mr.
John n Holiday He was called home by
business ard will probably not return.
Governor Mount and DIR. NJ. l.. Haines
will leave for indianapolis tomorrow, ac-
companied by the Rev. DR.. Spinning, who
will next Sunday fill the pulpit of the First
Presbyterian Church.
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