Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1899-05-31
MINISTER'S GET, ANGRY
Lively Time at Presbyterian Gem
eral Assembly g
OVER THE CASE OF DIR. MGIFFERT.

One Delegate Goes So Far as to Wish the
Presence of DIR. McGifert SO He Could
Punch His Head-Resolutions Against
the Seating of Representative-Elect
Roberts of Utah Adopted-The Case of
Herman Warszawaik.
Minneapolis, MINI, May 27.-Pande-
monium reigned in the Presbyterian
general assembly for an hour when the
reports of the committee having in its
care the consideration of the case of
Rev. DR.. McGiffert we're presented.
Flat contradictions were numerous
and at one time DR.. Shaw was pale
with anger as he shouted defiance at
his colleagues from the New York
Presbytery. After long wrangling the
majority report was adopted, though
the minority report had many enthusi
astic supporters. The former refers the
matter to the New York Presbytery,
the latter recommends that the New
York Presbytery appoint a committee
to confer with McGiffert and, if he re-
fuses to modify his views. to proceed
against him.
Would Punch McGiffert's Head.
Many speeches were made calling up
on DR.. McGiffert to get out peacefully,
while speakers we're so angry during
the five minutes allowed them that one
minister with flaming eyes, disheveled
hair and clenched fists. declared that
IF had DR.. McGiffert here 1 would
knock 1t out Of his head" Even the
vote on the report was bitterly dis
ct INIT
mating that the chair had wrongfully
announced the result The preamble
adopted had been referred to repeated
ly in the afternoon as new confession
Of faith and a declaration that the
Presbyterian church is still theological
ly sound.
Resolutions Against Roberts.
There were many vacant seats in the
Presbyterian general assembly Friday
morning in consequence Of reaction
from the excitement of debate and ac-
ton on the McGiffert case. Resolu-
tions against seating Congressman
Elect Brigham H. Roberts of Utah and
in favor Of an anti-polygamy amend
ment to the national constitution were
introduced and adopted. These reso-
II
mist has been elected to congress and
that that has called the attention of
the country to the fact that the Nor
mon leaders are still living in polyg-
amist relations Sin violation of their
oath and pledges as well as in defiance
of the laws and constitution of the
state of Utah" After reciting the de-
moralizing effects of the teachings and
practice of polygamy 1t is declared that
the house of representatives cannot
permit Congressman Elect Brigham HI.
Roberts to have a voice in its counsels
without in effect sanctioning the prac-
tice Of polygamy Therefore. the Fiji
ty-six,h congress is called upon to
promptly expel Mr.. Roberts in accord
ance with article l, section Of the ma
tional constitution.
Case OF Herman Warszawiak.
Hermann Warszawaik, expelled two
years ago for alleged gambling by the
session of the Fifth Avenue church Of
New York, win have to go to the New
York synod for relief. The judicial COM
mittee appointed to hear the matter
recommended that the judgment Of the
synod be reversed in SO far only as the
synod instructed the presbytery of New
York to remand the case to the ses-
sion of the Fifth Avenue church with
instructions to try Warszawiak on
amended charges. including the mis-
use Of moneys for missionary purposes
The case is remanded to the synod to
be proceeded with according to methods
and requirements Of the constitution.
In respect to the memorial Of the Fifth
Avenue church asking that the case
be sent back again to it, the commit
tee reported that 1t was not within its
authority to decide such matter, but
left it to the assembly, which has not
acted yet 1t is possible that the as
sembly will adjourn after an evening
session.