New-York tribune., 1900-05-25
NO METHODIST COLOR LINE
GENERAL CONFERENCE DECIDES TO
RETAIN TWO SECRETARIES FOR
FREEDMAN's AID SOCIETY.

l.
TBT TELEGRAPH TO THE rRIBuNrI
Chicago. May 24.-To prevent the drawing OF
the color line in the benevolent societies of the
Methodist Church II decided in the General
Conference this morning that the Freedman's
Aid and Southern Education Society retain two
secretaries coordinate in authority. Recogni-
ton OF the colored man the cause OF a COM
plicated parliamentary wrangle in the Confer
The result that the previously adopted
recommendation OF the Committee on the State
Of the Church. for only general secretary for
each organized benevolence was reconsidered
and amended that the Freedrnan's Aid and
Southern Education Society will retain its secre-
taries- Thus a white man will not be subordi-
mated 70 coored man. vice versa.
In the discussion the race question came 70
| the surface repeatedly. One side declared that
two secretaries should be elected because IL
there were only one he would be white man.
and DR.. NJ. C. B. Mason the colored secretary
would be only assistant. Since a Bishop Of
African descent was not elected. II argued
| that the General Conference was in danger OF
sighting the men Of dark skin. The other side
| declared that colored man should be the one
general secretary II he was capable. and that
| two were desired only by those who feared a
| negro would get the office
| QCESI1ON Ot SECRETARIES.
| Reconsideration Of the action by which IT was
| decided to have only general secretary each
| for the Missionary Society. the Freedmans Aid
| and Southern Education Society. and the Church
| Extension Society was the first business to-day.
| w. j. Wech, of Wyoming made the motion to
reconsider. It came after Ex-Governor Pattison
had presented the report Of the special commits
sion instructed change the constitutions Of
the three societies 70 provide for secretary
in each instead Of two or three.
There was period OF confusion and parIia-
n.entary cloudiness after Mr.. welch's motion.
Previous to 1t pleas were made to retain two sec
retaries for the Freedmans Aid Society Bishop
Walden did not know what was the question
| for reconsideration. and there a shower OF
| points Of order, questions Of privilege etc Then
the Bishop and the secretary couldn't find the
record Finally DR.. Buckley sarcasucaIly re-
marked
If the Chair is in a condition to receive light
I give an infaIIible statement Of the action
| Of a few days ago
This Conference always is ready to hear in
falnble statements. from DR.. Buckley" replied
| Bishop Walden.
The motion 10 amend the report so as 70 ex-
cept the Freednan's Aid Society presented
| when the muddIe was cleared up. Dr. Buckley
| pleaded against the negro having subordinate
place, as did Dr. Joseph Pullman, OF the New
| York East Conference, and a lay delegate.
| Frank A. Arter, opposed drawing the color line.
| I'VE want the best man for the place" said
he IF he is a colored man, give him the posi-
| ton If a white man is more capable, put him
| in. We want to be on business basis, and
concentration Of responsibility is demanded"
COLORED MAN ADVOCATED.
President Crawford. OF Allegheny College,
arose to challenge some statements that had
been made. He said
| ment was made that man could not do the
| work II he vas cOIored man, I recognized it
as statement which could not be suostanti-
| ated- The most popular man in the South to-
| day among the white people is Booker T. Wash
ington- The man next in the confidence Of the
| white people is DR.. VI. c. B. Mason. the colored
| general secretarv of our Freedman's Aid Society
It is unfair to draw the color line here If it
| is wise TO have executive head for each So
/ ciety Il is unwfse 70 make exception OF the
Freedman's Aid Society because cOlored man
| would get the position The men who are try
| ing TO smash the action we TOOK are doing so
because they are afraid colored man viii get
| the place
Mr. welch, who had moved to reconsider.
arose and shouted. IT submit that man has
right to make such statement on this floor.
I say it is falseF'
| DR.. Crawford smiled and said "I beg con-
sent OF the Conference TO modify my statement
so that it will not refer TO any man whose mo-
tive was different At any rate what 7 have
said has been heard over and over again in the
| Iobbies."
| DR.. Lanahan favored the original report and
| the reduction OF expense. He said the negro did
not come here 10 receive office. and would re-
main loyal without it
| DR.. s P. Cadnan said the General Conference
was about 70 create a set Of officials with too
much power by having only one secretary 10
each board. He asserted that every schisrn in
the Church had arisen from questions Of off,
| ciaIsu.
| Judge c. Bloer moved 20 refer the whole mat
ter back 10 the committee TO report in 1904, but
/ this motion tabled.
| GOV. PATTISONS FINAL. ARGUMENT
| Various other motions added TO the complexity
/ OF matters and the discontinue OF the Presiding
| Bishop. and then Ex-Governor Pattison made
| the closing address under the previous question
| The Constitution OF the United States" he de-
the original report, without the amendment, Will
| there be one secretary was 10 have greater re-
of money, for the appropriation is not reduced
| except the Freedmen's Aid Society IN cutting
| down the number OF secretaries was adopted
| and thereupon the amended report was adopted.
| ELECTION OF BOOK AGENTS
| The election OF the Church publishing agents
was the last business OF the first session to-day.