The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-07-18
THAT 100000 FEE.
Major stahlmaa Talks Back to
Minister.
From the Atlarta ConstltutIon.


From the Atlanta Constitution.
Nashville, Tenn, July 16.-In newspa-
per interview recently, Rev. S. A. Steel.
former editor of the Epworth League
Journal and known all over the United
States, spoke of Maj. E. B. Stahlman as a
lobbyist, and referring to the war claim
of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South,
recently paid. said;
This money is connected with a scan
DIAL. This blot must be wiped Out l am
ready to contribute my mite to make up
the 100000 paid to Mr.. Stahlman and re-
deem the honor of the church, which is as
dear TO me as my life"
Maj. Stahlman to-day publishes an open
letter addressed 70 DR.. Steel. in which he
reminds him that while pastor of McKen-
dree church for four years he appointed
Stahlman as steward, when his record AS
a lobbyist was known, and enemies, made
by befriending them, were as active in
their abuse as they are to-day He says
DIR. Steel partook of his hospitality and
accepted his friendly services when he
knew he was to receive the fee aforesaid
After charging ingrattude, Maj. Stahl-
man refers to DR.. SteeFs offer to contrib
ute toward refusing the money, and says
Would it not be more appropriate in
you as minister of the gospel to be just
before you are generous; in other words
to pay your honest debts On the 22d
day of May, 1893 you borrowed from me
$500, for which. you executed the follow
ing obligation, to-wit:
6 '$2OO-May p. 1S9S-Ninety days after
date ! promise TO pay TO Che order of E.
b. Stahlman two hundred dollars. Value
| received. S. A. Steel
This note remains unpaid. You promis-
ed TO pay it in ninety days. / am charged
with misleading the United States Senate
in that l failed to inform senators of the
nature of a contract which existed be-
tween me and my clients, a matter in
which the senators had no interest what
ever. Did YOU not misiead in a matter in
which [ had a direct interest? If you did
not, what do you call your failure to pay
this money when due-a broken promise.
deceit falsehoOd or what? And how could
you, as a minister of the gospel who pro-
fesses to regard His church as dear to him
as life accept money from a lobbyist on
any terms, and if accepted to violate your
solemn promise to pay when you agreed
to pay. Verify, my dear sir, you seem to
be playing the part of a rank hypocrite.
You are ready, you say, to contribute your
mite to maAe up the 100000 paid TO Mr.
Stahlman.'' Why, bless your soul, if the
horde of ingrates who have been the recip-
| Tents of my bounty for the past fourteen
! years, and who are now like ours barking
! at my heels, were to pay me what is due
! on Endorsements, loans, investments and
| losses made, to help them along, / would
| be able and would with marked degree
of pleasure give to the church every dollar
derived by me as fee, and yet be the
gamer"
He concludes by saying the claim was
! just, however, and the money should not
be refunded to the government.
Mai Stahlman also denounces a state
ment in the Baptist and Reflector as a
deliberate and malicious lie.
Nashville, Tenn, July 16.-A resolution
has been adopted by eight of ten delegates
from Tennessee 10 the general conference
calling on the college Of bishops to con-
vene the general conference of the Metho-
dist Episcopal Church, South, in special
| session for the consideration of the ques-
ton of the church claim recently paid by
the government.