The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-05-23
THE DEMOCRATIC SPIRIT
Asserted Itself in the Presbyterian
General Assembly.
IN SHOUTS OF APPROVAL
Committee on Reduced Representation
Given Hardly Courteous Treatment.
The Backwoods Holds the
Balance OF Power.

Minneapolis, Mimi, May 2.-Democ-
racy asserted itself in the Presbyterian
general assembly this afternoon. With
d shout the assembly voted down two
carefully considered and prepared plans
to reduce the membership, one by a
third, and the other by more than a
half. The committee on reduced rep
resentation appointed a year ago was
scarcely given courteous treatment, so
pronounced was the feeling against
getting farther away from the people.
Two members of the committee pre-
sented the Etwo proposed plans-one
making the basis of representation
5000 communicates and the other MAX
ing the basis SO ministers in the Presby-
teries instead of "a, as at present.
Colonel F. l.. Hitchcock of the COM
mittee argued for the representation by
synods according to membership and
declared that there was no doubt that
672, the present membership Of the as
sembly, was far too large. 1t was plain
from the Interruptions that Colonel
Hitchcock was on the unpopular side.
and when he sat down expressions of
the democratic spirit came out strongly
and profusely.
They call this a mob" said Dr. Page
of Topeka. IF it is a mob God grant
that there may be mere SUCH God pity
the Presbyterian church, with the bulk
of the wealth of the United States in
its Golfers if it cannot afford large
assembly"
THE time has not come to reduce the
assembly and 7 hope it never Will
come" cried DR.. George d. Earch of
New York. I'VE ought to keep as near
the people as We can. The backwoods
presbyteries now hold the balance of
power; ! don't know what we would do
without them, they hold the balance so
true"
Impressed by the strength of the op-
position, friend of reduced represen-
tation proposed to send an overture
down to the presbyteries asking their
advise. The motion was promptly laid
on the table.
DR.. John w. Dinsmore of San Jose
offered a sub-motion thanking and dis.
charging the committee and indefinite
ly referring the question of reduced
representation. When the vote came,
there was a mighty yes and feeble no.
The decision against another part Of
the committees report was closer. By
a vote of 1874 to JAG the assembly de-
cided not to increase from five to ten
the number of ministers necessary to
constitute a presbytery.
The judicial committee reported on a
number of matters and was granted
permission to refer to special commit
tees for trial such cases as required su-
preme adjudication. The appealed case
of Herman Warsawiack, suspended for
allelged gambling, from the Fourth
Avenue church, New York two years
ago, was referred to committee.
The McGiffert matter was made a
special order for Thursday. The feel
ing is now that drastic action will he
taken. The denunciation of recent
mob outrages in the South made in the
report of the committee on freedmen
was finally referred to that committee
for reconsideration.
Overtures now before the committee
on bills and overtures in favor of ex-
pellins Congressman Roberts of Utah
from the house of representatives are
likely to be passed by the assembly al
most unanimously if they get by the
committee.
Before the poular meeting tonight of
the freedmens board. the largest of the
meetings held under the auspices of the
assembly. Rev. Fl. w. Hubert of Cleve-
land, originator of the movement to
raise the $4,000 indebtedness of the
board, announced that subscriptions
and apportionments will foot up $50 900
or $4,000. For the first time in a gem
GRAFTON all departments of the Presby-
tetrian church are free from debt, 1t
was announced, however, that every
presbytery is expected to pay the por-
ton of the debt apportioned to 1t, as all
excess above the quota which any pres
bytery gives will be devoted to opening
some of the schools which have been
rln fnt-1 1or IL r,,..