The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-07-09
HEAR COMMITTEE REPORTS
CONGREGATIONAL COUNCIL DIS
POSES or ROUTINE BUSINESS.
legal Restraints On Gambling the
Ssbject Of One Paper, and the
neeommenA made 10 Dis
courage ALI Forms Of Speculation

PORTLAND, Or. July S-The national
council OK Congrega;ionalisss this morn
ing took up routine matters. II was or
iered that tire committee on union with
other denominations and the denomna-
tsonal committee be united and continued.
with the name Of DR.. A. P. Bradford. OF
New Jersey. added. After devotional. serv-
ceiyed
DR. F. s. Fitch. OF Buffalo. as represen-
tative OF the Canadian churches. address
Cd the council on the work of the Consre-
ga,ionaIs,s in that country. Rev. Myron
K. Eells, of Washington. read a paper on
The Early Religious Movements n the
Pacific Northwest"
At the afternoon session the following
reports were read: On Scripture doctrine
Of divorce and on gambling.
The report OF the committee against
gambling WIS read by the Hon. A. l.. VIII
liston. OF Northampton. Mass. They mada
the following recommendations:
'Firs,-whereas II appears tina, in some
localities tickets for chances and votes for
the disposition of prizes are sold at church
fairs TO raise money for religious and
charitGbls purposes. therefore this body
IL
from elFeuch methods Of raising funds for
worthy objects
''Second-Thas this association continue
a committee TO repress, gambling. and that
this committee have leave 10 ask various
state associations of our order to assist in
this work by the appointment nf similar
committees In these associations, 10 the
end that these committees throughout the
different states promote and support legal
action against gambling on the part OF the
regularly constituted civil authorities. and
alx~ IT, -
spective states and the noteworthy results
OF enforcement. where Ii is attempted, TO
the committee of this council, in order that
data may be provided 70 secure all desir-
istration against gambling throughout
the Union.
''Third-That such committees as may
be appointed in reference 10 this matter
by the association of the different states
be invited TO secure the corporation OF all
religious bodies which viii help TO repress
this evil
The committee said:
Legal restraint Of gambling Is chiefly
efficient where the evil occurs IN connec-
ton with games and sports.
The general principle applied by the
courts 10 restrain gambling upon the ex
changes is that transactions by margins.
which contemplate an ultimate delivery
of property, are valid. while transactions
which intend no delivery OF property, and
are 10 be settled by adjustment of the diff
ference between quotations at the time of
purchase and OF sale are gambling and
liable before the law. Unless evidence
can be submitted TO the court OF an intent
to close the transaction without ultimate
exchange of values, It cannot annui these
transactions as gambling. Evasion OF
statutory restraints BY suppression OF all
evidence OF intent 10 avoid final exchange
or property is easy. Beyond this point
law does not restrain now, and Il is not
certain that 1t ever. can, without doing
more harm than good.
Statutory restraint Of gambling in bust
ness Is at present closely limited while
the volume OF gambling transactions in
control OF the law. Is undoubtedly large
There Is constant effort 10 draw the gen.
eral public into this whirl OF gambling
speculation. The bucket shops seem to
aspire TO rival the endowment orders OF
unb.essed memory as absorbents OF the
humble savings of the poor. The less the
law can do to stem this tide OF waste and
right instruction. Pastors have duty
to teach the people committed to their
charge that now as ever the haste to be
hurtful desires and that probably there is
no form OF the hurry for wealth which
leads TO more mischief than speculation,
after 1t degenerates from legitimate in
Vestment into gambling.
report on prison reform was also pre-
sented
A paper on How to Unite Friends Of
Temperance" by Frank Foxeraft. of the
Boston Journal. was read by the Hon.
$. II. Capen. OF Boston. II was in part as
follows:
ITO unite the moral forces in any com
munity for practical work against the sa-
looms IL is essential. first of ALL that there
shall he real subordination OF all side
Issues. II the churches take the initiative
as they ought. II must be without any
manifestation Of the UNCONVENTIONAL spirit
II all the moral forces are TO be brought
together. there must he room on he COM
mon Platform for the Catholic priest and
the Jewish rabbi, as well as for Protestant
pastors OF every name
There are two classes of men who
should not be put upon committees an
ornamental class. selected because their
names look well and are thought TO inn
part Distinguished air 10 the movement;
the second Is the men OF one idea. the
crdnk>. 10 use the common term, who are
not well disposed 10 any reform which Is
not brought about in their particular way
such men reEoi and ALLEVIATE. and IL they
must have a part in the organization they
should be- kept at the rear. and gagged on
occasion
lin most Instances 1t VIII be found best
TO take nrst the law as IL stands what
ever imperfeciions II may have and see
what can BE- done under II. before agitat-
.ng fer something more stringent
There was a long discussion on the re-
port on ministerial standing The fol-
lowing resolution on this subject was final
ly adopted:
Resolved That IN the transfer q min
isierial mem bership from our association.
conference or other ecclesiastical BODY. n,
the Judgment Of the council the gaining OF
new memberships il enthusiastically impor-
sole unless the applicant shall have been
fully released from his Trrylogs eCclesias-
teal III. mbershlp."
Az the evening session. Rev. T.. s Hi.
o? Iowa, read paper on Common
Ground ~ Belief for Christian Thinkers"
Christian Living ard Giving" was the
subject OF an address by Rev. Z. w Hiatt.
CT. Ohio.
Hn " q TIM Minis Admitted