The Montgomery advertiser. [volume] (Montgomery, Ala.) 1885-1982, 1902-05-14

Dallas. Sex., May l3.-The war claim
overshadowed all other questions before
the Methodist Episcopal Church Confer
ence again TO-DAY. Bishop Hendrix OF
Kansas presided. The debate over the
war claim caused intense interest among
the delegates.
The session was opened by Bishop CAL
Ioway. A privileged communication from
Bishop o, p Fitzgerald of Nashville was
given, In which the venerable prelate ask
ed that in view of his cnfeebled health
and advanced years he be relieved OF ac-
tive duties. This matter was referred TO
the Committee on Episcopacy.
A communication frcm the Southern
Baptist Convention at Asheville. N. c.,
extending fraternal greetings. was read.
The Committee on Itinerary reported
inconvenience In extension OF time
limit of various charges, including army
Championships and posts.
A paper urging that the College OF
Bishops be urged to furnish the confer
ence with copies of their rulings provoked
discussion, led by DR.. Whitehead and
Rev. Mr.. Alexander.
The Committee ON Fraternal Delegates
presented greetings and appreciation Of
the Northern delegates. Adopted by a
rising vote.
Greetings to Northern Church.
The Committee on Education urged the
advancement of the standard of educa-
ton for candidates for the ministry; conn
mended Vanderbilt University as the best
educational Institution for candidates;
commended correspondence schools and
institutes and urged many advances in
educational qualifications In candidates;
placed on the calendar without action.
DR.. Hoss moved that committee of
seven on Sabbath observance be appoint
ed by the chair. Carried.
Rev. II. d. Parks. Missionary Secre-
tary and Fraternal Delegate from the
African NJ. e. Church, was presented and
received by delegates rising
Rev. r. l.. Wiselman, fraternal delegate
from Egypt. was received and made a
brief speech.
Fraternal greetings were extended to
the Colored Methodist Episcopal Church.
now holding a conference at Nashville.
Judge Strother of Los Angeles. led the
minority In its fight on the war claim
today. He presented a paper which em-
bodied the p,lnority report. 1t was con-
else. cogent arraignment of the policy
and motives of the friends of the war
claim and especially those who conducted
tho Washington proceedings. The docu.
meht was lengthy. citing In detail the
main contention Of the manner In which
tho passage of the bill was secured In the
Senate. There was heated discus
sion over what was termed unparltamen-
tary language used in the report, and
half hour was spent just before the
close of the session. participated in by
Judge Strother. DIR. Glenn of Georgia;
DR.. Whitehead and others, in which MEM
bers of the committee which held the
ma jority report endeavored to have the
Objectionable language stricken out. By
0f N ia the conference de-
cided to hear the entire paper read.
Rev. MIR. Mann of South Carolina,
moved the return of the report to the
Publishing Committee, and that it be
printed, which motion was adopted.
Adjourned until tomorrow.
Bishop Gamblers Letters.
The letters Of Bishop Gambler of
Georgia, to Senator Clay with regard to
tho war claim which has agitated the
Methodist Episcopal Church South. for
many years land the reply of Senator
Clay .concurred in by Senator Bacon and
seyenty-eight other Senators. in which
they absolve the church from all blame
in the matter. were handed to the Asso-
ciated Press by Bishop Gambler today,
with the request that widespread publi-
cation be given them.
Bishop Gamblers letter to Senator Clay
follows in part:
"For one, l have and do feel the utmost
characterization OF the acts of the misrep-
practiced by the parties who
had the claim in charge and at the APP
proaching general conference. soon to as
semble in Dallas. Texas. l hope and con-
fidently expect that those deceptive
methods will be officially disavowed and
condemned.
II have interpreted the final action of