The daily morning journal and courier., 1902-04-05
NEW YORK EAST CONFERENCE
DE. BUCKLEY FAILS IN CHARGES
 AGAINST DR. COUCH

Effort to Discipline the Latter Voted
 Down on Motion of Rev. George F.
 nIain-Dr. North Presents Report on
 Endowment Fund - Dr. Buckley
 Speaks Against tho Compulsory Assess
 ment of Ministers Mir. Thrasher
 Speaks.
 Torrington, Conn, April 4.-Another large attendance marked the opening of to-days business session of the New York East conference of Methodist min isters at the Methodist church this morning. Among the visitors present was the Hon Samuel P. Thrasher. sec retary and manager of the Connecticut Law and Order league, who delivered an address tonight on the occasion of the anniversary of the conference tenn perance society.
 Scarcely had the session opened than pr. D. W. Couch, formerly presiding elder of the Brooklyn district caused sensation by declaring that he had talk en member into his church on short probation, and inadvertently remarking that he was glad of it. Before he had an opportunity to modify his remark pr. J, M Buckley editor of the Chris tian Advocate preferred charge against the speaker for lack of disci- pline.
 The allegation led to a lengthy discus sion on the part of the members of the conference, but on motion of Rev. George P. Main, agent of the Methodist Book Concern, N. r., the charge was dismissed. Dr. Main said that while the conference did not approve the ac- tion, there was nothing against pr. Couch personally.
 pr. w. P. Thrkfield spoke in behalf of the Freedmen's Aid and Southern Education society, which he pronounc- ed in a most prosperous condition Bishop Earl Cranston then called the roll, inviting any who had charges to prefer to present them.
 Dr. IT. H. North presented report of the conference endowment fund. He was followed by Dr. J. H. Buckley, who spoke against the compulsory as- sessment of ministers, Dr. D. w. Downey favored the pro rata principle pr. c. J. North made a brief address in support of superannuated preachers, which ended the session.
 The late afternoon session was given over to the anniversary of the Womans s Home Missionary society. Mrs. J. A. l secor of Brooklyn, N r., presided A report was submitted by Mrs. A. R. | Clare of Brooklyn, N. r.. corresponding ! secretary of the organization, showing l general prosperity in all mission fields, | including Alaska, New Mexico and | Arizona. The greatest growth during | he past year was in the New Haven | district. Addresses were made by Rev. Dr. Wiley and Rev. A. w. Byrt of | Brooklyn.
 At the evening session of the confer ,nce the anniversary of the Conference Temperance society was celebrated, Addresses were made by Rev. H. H. | Russell, D. D., of New York, and S. P. rhrasher, secretary of the Connecticut Law and Order league
 Dr. Russell referred to the temper lnce victories scored in different parts | ,t the country, the most important of 1 which, he said, was the introduction of | l bill before congress providing for the 'nti-canteen law in the navy as we'll as he army. MT Russell also spoke of wo amendments to be offered to the rmy bill by Senator Hansborough, for the appropriation of s1,- %, 900 to build and equip post ex- hanges for the soldiers. The second provides for an appropria ion of $675, ,00O for the improvement of rmy rations
 Secretary Thrasher explained the ob- ect of the league, of which he is sec etary, and told of the awful condition f the state of Connecticut" before it's in 1892.