The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-05-22
THE WAR CLAIM MATTER.
consideration Begun by the Conference, An
Effort to Compromise.
(By the Associated Press.

Wy thC hoooCldIGu ITcSS.J
Dallas, Texas, May 20.-The largest au
dienc@ OF this years gathering was pres
ent today when Bishop Hargrove called
the general conference of the Method
list Episcopal Church, South, to order.
Rev. r H. Mahon, of Memphis, Tenn.
moved taking up for consideration the
majority report of the Committee on
Publishing Interests on the war claim. 1t
was so ordered and the secretary read
the report. After the reading DR.. G. L.
Rankin. of Dallas, was recognized on
question of personal privilege. He de-
sired to change the verbage of the re-
port where it speaks of the United States
senator's who endorsed the letters of
Senator's Bacon and Clay to Bishop
Chandler so as to deliver them from the
attitude of advising the general confer
cnce, they merely expressing their indi-
vidual opinion that no further action on
The war claim matter be taken on the
part of the conference with Congress.
The conference permitted the change re-
quested. The resolutions and recommen-
dations of the minority were then read,
The body of their report being omitted.
B. T. Lipscomb, of Virginia, moved
that the resolutions and recommendations
of the minority committee be substituted
for those of the majority and that the
items referred to be considered seriatim.
This was adopted and the conference pro-
ceeded to consider item No. 1 OF the
minority report.
in the midst of the consideration DIR.
w L. McMurray, of st Louis, interrupt
cd to offer substitute paper for both
the minority and majority reports. 1t
was termed a compromise paper. After
81 parliamentary tangle that was not
definitely disposed CT the conference per-
mitted the new paper to be read. The
paper reviewed the war claim issue, eX
onerated the church of any wrong in the
matter, ccnsured all cOnceaments and de-
ceptiGns claimed to have been practiccd
by certain persons and opposed the meth
ods in the expenditure of the amount paid
in attorney fees.
Recommendations We're made that the
church take no further action with the
government, but that the church make
up the sum necessary to increase the
fund to what it was originally intended
to he, and that it be kept intact for its
original purpose. This paper was signed
by go delegates.
cipitated and a score or more points OF
order made. 1t was finally decided that
The ayes and nays be called on motion
TO table the first item of the minority
report and all amendments thereto.
Adopted, 152 to 112.
Several delegates voting aye explained
they did so in order to have an oppor-
tunitv TO get the compromise paper be-
fore the conference. motion to lay
the second item of the minority report
on the table prevailed by standing
vote.
At the night session the resolutions OF
the compromise paper providing for rails
ing $10S.000 by the church to bring inc
Congressional appropriation up to It's
original sum, was laid upon the table.
Examinations in the preamble that were
closely connected with the resolution
tabled were next made. Other changes
were made until little was left of the
original compromise paper. Most of the
session was consumed in speeches.
Finally an amendment by Mr.. Jordan,
of Tennessee was adopted to the effect
that the general conference endorse the
action of the College of Bishops in
offering to provide means for paying back
the money to the Government, If the
United States Senate decides that this
should be done; the conference to make
the act of the bishops its act, and legal
ize it in all respects as the action OF
the Methodist Episcopal Church South.
The conference adjourned until to-
tomorrow the pending business being the
vote on the compromise paper as per-
fected by amendment