The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-05-27
THE INCREASE OF CRIME
AMONG NEGROES OF THE SOUTH
DISCUSSED.
n Rec FOURTHS OF ALL CRIME IN SOUTH
Committed by Members Of the CoIored Race
Discussion Of Cost of Bibles. English
Bible not 10 be in List of
TX mi laton Subjects.
TX mi lation Subj cts.

Richmond, Va. May 26.-After a dis
cnssion which lasted for over two hours.
the General Assembly of the Presbyta
rian church at its morning session, re-
commended a change in the Book of
Order so as to provide that the Ruling
Elder may deliver the charge to the
people at the installation Of pastor.
Forty-four Of the Presbyteries of the
Southern church had pronounced in favor
of the change, which was also recon-
mended to the Committee on Bills and
Oyertures. The vote in favor of the re-
port Of the committee stood: Ayes, II;
noes. 43; absent 70, excused from vot-
ing 2.
There was an interesting discussion on
the report of the Committee on Bible
Cause. which report contained refer
ence to the difference in prices charged
by the American Bible Society and its
competitors The difference was said
TO be due to some extent to the better
quality Of the books of the Society and
in part to the fact that the Society has
carefully avoided he sweat-shop princ-
pies followed by other corporations.
The Assembly concurred in the action
of the Committee on Overtures recon-
ifeHulifS tHt tldIiSt III Tic DuDtlSlIIdl
Formula. from the words Into the name
Of" to lin the name of"
The report of the same committee re-
commencing ministers to exercise the
greatest caution in performing marriage
ceremonies where doubt exists as to
the consent Of the parents of either of
the contracting parties when such par
ties are under age, was also adopted.
The Assembly referred the questions
whether the American Sabbath Union
was enjoned in the work of legislative
reform and continued to merit the recog-
milton of the church, to the Commit
tee on Sabbath.
A protest was received from the Min
isteria Association of Nashville. Tenn.
against the removal Of the Committee
on Foreign Missions from that city 10
Richmond
A negative answer was returned to
several overtures which suggested the in
clusion of the English Bible in the list
of subjects for the examination of can
didates for the ministry.
The Assembly then took recess.
The report Of the Committee on Col
ored CHARACTERIZATION was considered at
length during the afternoon session.
The statement contained in it. that crime
is on the increase among the negro popu-
lation. was the chief bone of contention.
The fear was voiced that in the pres
ent inflammable. state of the negro mind,
the PRONUNCIATION of such a statement
was i'll advised. 1t was, however. sup
ported by the Chairman. who. as the
result of his investigation. made tho
statement that three-fOurths of the crime
in the South is committed by negroes
rs
among the younger members of the
race is alarming. The report was sub
sequently amended so as to read that
statistics show, the prevalence of
crime"
A protest signed by ten commissioners.
was presented against the action of tn
Assembly in regard to the division of
the Presbytery of South Alabama, the
contention being that it practically gives
the synod unlimited power.
A motion to reconsider the vote on the
Presiding Elder question, disposed of at
the morning session was defeated by
vote of 81 to 43.
The last session of the Assembly was
held tonight. 1t was for the most
part occupied with addresses made
upon resolutions expressing the APP
probation of commissioners for hos
pitality and courtesies extended to
them during their visit.
A resolution to include Sunday
newspapers and excursions i'm rbe list
of worldly amusements against which
the pastoral letter is to bc directed.
failed of adoption, many of commits
sioners being absent from the session.
and it being deemed inadvisable to re-
consider the action of the full Assem-
bly,.
The Assembly was dissolved by The
Moderator, who. according to the for
mula, ordered the election of another
Assembly to convene in Atlanta. Ga,
ON the third Thursday in Nay 1000