The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-05-20
TWO REPORTS PRESENTED
The Majority Recommends That the
Case be Dropped.
RE URN THE MONEY, SAYS THE MINORITY
Intense Interest and Heated Discussion in The
Conference. Resolution Against Child
Labor. Dissertation of the
Sabbath,
(By the Associated Press.)

(By the Associated PRESS
Dallas, Texas. May 1.-THE presenta-
ton of the majority and minority reports
Interest with regard to the war claim,
was the intensely interesting feature of
today's session of the Methodist Episco
pal Conference.
The majority report was confined TO
brief summary of the contentious urged
by that faction. The resolutions con-
denim any departure of the attorney Of
the Book Committee from the explicit
instructions given to him by the book
committee in regard to the collection of
the claim against the Government, from
which Instructions, it is claimed, he did
depart according to his own statements
made to the Senate Committee appoint
ed to investigate these matters.
Continuing the report disapproves any
language used by the book agents in
their telegram to Senators Pasco and
Bate, which have msled them as to-
the amount of the fee the attorney was
to receive for his services in collecting
the claim The proposition of the bishops
to take proper steps to have the entire
amount returned to the Government if
the Senate. by affirmative action, de-
clares that the passage of the bill was
due to misleading statements" is APP
proved. In view of the fact that the
Senate after receiving this proposition
discouraged the return of the money and
furthermore, since the Senate had de-
clared that the church is absolutely
blameless in the whole transaction, it is
recommended that this be considered a
final settlement of the question. The
report is signed by James Nj. Robertson
as chairman.
The minority report took an hour in
reading and condemns the actions of Col.
Stahlman. the attorney, in. most vigor-
Gus language. Directly and by infer
ence the book agents and their attor-
neys are severely dealt with.
The resolutions appended are as fol-
lows:
I'VE believe that the retention of this
money is disturbing factor in the peace
and harmony of the church at present
and may disquiet the membership in the
future.
Therefore, that there may be peace
and harmony in the borders of our be-
loved church. and that it may do no act
that calls in question it's good name we
recommend the adoption of the follow
ing resolution:
THAT the entire sum collected, viz
$2SS,000. be returned to the United States
Government.
THAT a committee of nine members of
the General Conference be named who
shall report to this conference as soon
as possible plan for carrying into exc
cution the above resolution.
That we heartily endorse the letter
written by our bishops to the Senate of
the United States. 1t showed their jeal-
Gus care of the good name of the church
and indicated a wise solution of the
NATTER
The resolutions are signed by James
Cannon, Jr.. of Virginia. as chairman
The discussion of the minority re-
Port On the war claim caused stormy
scene in the conference
The report is said to conflict with the
libel laws of Texas and the editor of the
official organ of the church whil4 not
declining hesitated to publish it, This
caused great excitement among the
minority faction and the debate over die
subject was heated
Both reports We're ordered printed af-
ter much discussion. The war claim mat
ter will come before the conference next
Tuesday at 10 o'clock and be continued
until The matter is settled.
Bishop A. w. Wilson, the senior bishop
presided today The Committee on Epis-
copacy, reported and recommended that
two bishops be elected. The minority re-
port was given, dissenting ana stating
that in their belief no more bishops
should be elected. The Committee on
Education recommended that more atten-
ton be paid to training schools.
A majority report from Committee on
Finance urged further aid to superan-
nuated preachers. widows and children
be given and that a permanent fund be
established.
The time limit remains as before ac-
cording to the report of the Committee
on Itinerary.
Or. W. A. Haven, OF the American
Bible Society. spoke on the gratifying in
crease in the sale of Bibles.
The Cumberland Presbyterian Assem-
lily sent greetings from Springfield. Mo.
The General Assembly of Fha Presby
terrain church also sent greetings from
Jackson, Miss.
The Committee on Sabbath Observance
deprecated the Increase of Sunday labor
of 81 Der cent in the last decade while
the population and increased but q per
cent and also the increase in Sunday
amusements.
DR.. Gross Alexander introduced reso-
lrtion dealing with Child labor in the
South particularly in the cotton mill dis
trict The resolution, which urged that
laws be passed prohibiting the employ
mcnt of children under y wears Old, was
adopted This resolution was afterward,
on motion of Mr.. Hoss, reconsidcred on
the statement that there were 10000