The Washington times., 1901-10-18
TURBULENT SESSIONS HELD
Exciting Discussions at the Spir-
itualists' Convention.

Request for Approximation for His
tory of the Sciences Provoke.
Heated Controversy - Mysterious
Tests at the Evening Exercises
The delegates to the ninth annual con
vention of the National Association OF
| Spirituaiists. who have for several days
| past been holding their meetings in this
city, held protracted and somewhat
stormy sessions yesterday in their head
| quarters. Masonic Temple. Throughout
the morning and afternoon it was fire.
quently necessary for President Barrett
to use his gavel vigorously to restore or
der At different times during the dis
cussions and voting on questions of inn
| portance the sergeant-at-arms, Mr.. Alte-
| mus, was despatched in search OF absent
members whose presence was required.
One member openly declared before the
body that the delegates were more In
| terested in sightseeing than in the affairs
of the convention.
The proceedings throughout the after
| noon were of an exciting and turbulent
nature. caused by frequent clashes be-
! tween delegates opposed on various mo-
tions submitted for the action of the con-
vention. While the sessions were consid-
erably longer than those preceding. not
any great amount of work was accom-
plished.
1t was announced by President Bar
rett during the morning session that at
8 o'clock this morning the delegates would
repair in body to the associations new
headquarters. Sixth Street and Pennsyi-
vania Avenue southeast. Dedicator$ ex-
ercises will be held, when the building
will be presented to the association by
Theodore ]. Mayer, a spiritualistic adVo-
cate. Henceforth this city will be the
headquarters of the association instead
of Boston.
Mr.. Barrett also announced that the
delegates would assemble in Masonic
Temple at II o'clock this afternoon, for
the purpose of proceeding to the White
House in a body, where they would pay
their respects to President Roosevelt. A
committee had been appointed to make
the necessary arrangements Tor the re-
ception of the delegates.
The committee appointed several days
ago for the purpose of selecting the city
in which the next anpual convention
would be held reported in favor of the
city Of Boston. The supporters of Buffa-
10, n. Y. are making a strong effort to
secure the next convention, and think
that, so far, they have a fair chance of
securing the convention. The association
will pass upon the question later.
Today's session OF the convention, it is
thought, will eclipse all others In excite
ment. This afternoon the association will
either elect a new president or re-elect
the present incumbent Harrison d. Bar
rett There remain. it is stated, not more
than two or three candidates for the
presidency of the organization d. W.
Sprague a prominent spiritualistic advo-
cate, and Rev. Moses Hull who is COM
monty known as the father of spiritual
ism, whose names were mentioned for
the presidency, have declined nomination.
Opinions differ concerning the probable
outcome of the election although the
Barrett adherents are still strong in their
belief that MIR. Barrett will remain the
presiding officer.
The first business taken UP by the con-
vention upon opening its session yester-
day morning was the reading Of the re-
port of the committee appointed to re-
view the annual statement of President
Barrett. With the exception of Mr. Bar
retts recommendation asking that the
date of the next annual convention be
January. his report was approved. This
recommendation the committee rejected
The recommendations approved by the
committee follow:
That Theodore J. Mayer be heartily
thanked for his gift of national head
quarters.
That reports of the conventions be
printed and distributed.
That tracts and other spiritualistic lit
erature be freely distributed.
That in contested Will cases funds be
set apart for the expenses of actions in
court.
That a special committee be at once
appointed to defend mediums under
charges before the courts or subj to
a license fee.
That mass meetings Shall not be en-
tirely abandoned.
That the missionary efforts of the
be seconded and extended by
the employment of ten missionaries
That speakers be settled as regular
pastors wherever possible
That the valuable suggestions and
careful thought of the president on the
subject of phenomena in the home and
the laboratory of the scientist are en-
dorsed. but as to Mr.. Barrett's sugges-
ton that phenomena be not exposed to
the curious and the insincere the COM
mittee advise a reference to special
committee.
That future national conventions give
half a day to the work of the lyceum
and that a capable teacher. preferably
Mrs. Matte Z. Hull, be appointed mis-
sionary.
That history of spiritualism be com
piled and a special history fund be
created
That an international congress of the
Spiritualists be held in st. Louis during
the worlds fair in 1903.
That delegates be appointed to other
organizations of free thought and liberal
incliuations.
THAT all mediums should be educated
to the fullest degree possible.
'''l hat cO-ppgT8tiOn with the SDiritualiS-
tic camp meetings should be heartily en-
That altruism-the gospel OF love
against selfishness-receive more thought
ful attention.
That auxiliary State associations be al
lied in the national association, especially
for cooperation in repeating obnoxious
State laws.
THAT the convention continue to meet
In October.
THAT action be taken Immediately on |
the medical persecution of clatrvoyants. |
That the spiritual press be heartily en-
ioIsed.
After considerable discussion and de- |
bate the report of President Barrett and |
the report of Mrs. Mary T Longley, the |
secretary Of the association, were finally |
adopted by the convention.
Willard j. Huh, Chairman of the Com |
mittee on Resolutions, offered that report |
to the convention, The report is volumi-
nous and induced considerable discussion. |
Upon motion Of Mr.. Schirmer, a sub com
mittee was appointed to read through the |
This the subcommittee did, |
and after another series of debates the |
report was finally adopted, but not until |
the afternoon session. The statement of |
the Committee on Resolutions is an in |
.eresting one Referring 10 altruism, the
says in It's report:
We affirm that the divine principle of |
1ong and being for others, which in a
word, is altruism. is a cardinal idea of
Spiritualism, and should be magniied in