Akron daily Democrat. [volume] (Akron, Ohio) 1892-1902, 1899-05-23

terian general assembly voted down two
carefully cons tsered and prepared plans
to reduce the membership. one by Il
third and the other by more thln half.
The committee on reduced representa-
ton appointed Il year ago,swas scy-cely
given courteous treatment, so pro-
nounced was the feeling agaipst getting
farther away from the people.
Two members of the committee pre-
sented the two proposed plans-one
making the basis of representation 5000
COMMITMENTS and the other making
the basis 80 ministers i'll the presby
teries, instead Of ~ as at present.
Colonel L. F. Hitchcock of the commit
tee argued for the representation by
synots, according to membership and
declared that there was no doubt that
672, the present membership of the
assembly 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 mob," said DR..
Page of Topeka 'If it is mob, God
grant that there may be more such. God
pity the PresbyteriaE caurch, with the
bulk Of the wealth of the United States
in its Golfers, if it can not afford large
assembly"
1.-The time has not come to reduce the
assembly, and l hope it never will
come" cried DR.. George w. P. Birch of
New York 1--WE ought to keep as near
the people as we can. The backwoods
presbyteries now hold the balance of
power l do1i t know what we would
do without them, they hold the balance
so true e
Impressed by the strength of the op-
position, friend of reduced representa-
ton proposed to send the overture down
to the presbyteries. asking their advice.
The motion was laid ON the table with
great alacrity.
Dr. John w Dinsmore of San Jose
offered substitute motion, thanking
and discharging the committee and in-
definitely deferring the question OF re-
sluced REPRESENTATION. When the vote
came there was mighty yes and a few
feeble noes. The decision against an
other part of the senate committees re-
port was closer. By vote of 1S4 to
16S, the assembly decided not to increase
from five to ten the number of minis
tiers necessary to constitute a presby-
terry.
The judicial committee came in with
reports on &; number of matters, and
was granted permission to refer to spe-
cial committees for trial such cases as
required supreme adjudication. The
appealed case of Herman Warsawiack,
suspended for alleged gambling from the
Fifth Avenue church, New York, two
years ago, was referred to a commission.
The Rev. Mr.. Backus of Kansas, got Il
commission to try his appeal from the
synod of that state.
An appeal from the decision of the
Indiana synod in the matter of unfer-
mented wine at the Lords Supper was
sustained. The appeal of A. NJ Nc
Culloch of the synod of Baltimore was
recommended to the consideration of the
Baltimore synod.
The appeal of Charles S. Lane, from
the decision of the synod of New York,
will be tried by q special commission.
DR.. w. R. Kirllwood of Emporia,
Kan, presented the report of the conf
mittee ON the board of education. The
report held that the expense of the
board was not undue and that it could
not be reduced without consolidation of
boards, which was not wise. The stand
ard of ministerial education was de-
clared not to be declining, and the day
of shrinkage III the number of candl-
dates for the ministry was said to be III
the past. The reelection of the men,
bers of the board whose terms expire
this year was recommended. The Chi
cago and Schuyler overtures calling for
a commission to investigate the whole
subject of ministerial education We're
approved by the committee, and it was
recommended that Il commission of not
less than | | be appointed for that pur-
pose. The report was adopted intact
Rev. Edward B. Hodge. corresponding
secretary OF the board of education, ad-
dressed the assembly in defense and ex-
PLANTATION.
The McGiffert matter was made
special order for Thursday The feeling
was that drastic action would be taken.
The denunciation of recent mob out
RACES in the south made i'll the report of
the committee on freedmen was finally
referred to the committee for reconsid-
Grafton.
ID. W. Glass OF the presbytery of
Baltimore was arranging simultaneous
meetings for today III the interests of
reunion of the elders of the Assembly
North Ill Minneapolis and the elders of
the Assembly South in Richmond.
Colonel James Rice of Peoria, Ills,
the father of the Peoria overture, aimed
at reducing the moderators power, said
be expects vigorously to push his pet
measure. Overtures now before the
committee on bills and overtures i'll
favor Of an anti-polygamy amendment
to the national constitution and i'll favor
OF eXreiling Congressman Roberts of
Utah from the house of representatives
are likely to be passed by the assembly
almost unanimously if they get by the
committee.
Before the popular meeting last night
of the freadnean's board, the largest of
the meetings held under the auspices of
the assembly. tlle Rev. H w. Hubert
of Cleveland, ORIGINATOR of the move
mem t. raise thS$40, 900 Indebtedness
OF tie board. announced that subscrip-
lions ana iippoTticnments will foot up
800. 900 or 500, 200. For the first time in
q generation, iii departments of the
church are fres from debt.
lt WAS announced, however, that every
presbytery is expected to pay the portion
of the debt apportioned to it. as all ex-
cess above the quota which any presby-
terry gives will be devoted to opening
some Of the schools have been closed tor
lack OF funds.