The age-herald., 1902-05-09
BOOK COMMITTEE
 MAKES ITS REPORT
Methodist Conference Thinks
 Matter is Finally Settled
COMMITTEE IS EXONERAT D
Memorials Are Presented to Establish Order of Deaconesses and a Sys- tenn of Hospitals Correctional
 In Their Scope.

Dallas May S.-The second days ses- conference opened promptly at g o'clock this morning. The feature of the day was the report of the book committee and the statemnt of the book agents, Messrs, Barbee and Smith of Nashville, Tenn, on the noted war claim matter. This report embraced nearly 5000 words and was read by Dr. Collins Denny. The report reiterates and emphasizes the ex- oneration of Messrs Barbee and Smith and E. B. Stahlman that was made by the committee nearly four years ago. General applause greeted the reading of the report and 1t Is thought that a ma 1ority of the delegates agree with the book committee that he subject has al- ready been discussed beyond It's merits and should be dropped forever.
 The entire matter Is now in the hands of the committee on publishing house in- terests which will probably report week after next.
 A Wesley Oak" GaveI.
 When the conference got down to work A'Nos tAVIc was dil NOlulilt LII business before the delegates. Bishop Wilson announced the committees on rules and credentials The Rev. MT. Adams of the South Georgia conference presented the conference with a gavel made of the wood of the Wesley Oak" under which John Wesley Is said to have preached.
 A resolution by Secretary Tigert to fix the number of the general conference in accordance to the court decision and de- claring this to be the fourteenth the church has held. was defeated. Memor- fals were presented from the Tennessee conference to institute the order of dea- conesses provided the appointments are made by the bishops; on the pastoral time limit, to extend 1t definitely under cer- tain conditions where special mission work is to be done; to establish a system of hospitals connectional In their scope, and the memorial of 1893, authorizing the return of the war claim to the govern ment All were referred. The lengthy report of the book committee is summed up and closed as follows:
 Synopsis of Report.
 1t had failed to secure the fund when it had power to do so, it would have been guilty of neglecting plain duty for which any court of equity might have held it liable.
 The fund having been placed in it's hands, 1t was not at liberty to permit 1t to pass out of It's possession or beyond its control; and if it had done so every member assenting to such a proceeding would have been. and justly, held per- sonal1y responsible.
 Such are the doctrines held and an- nounced by courts of equity in all civi- lizeo countries.
 Even if there had been doubt on it's part as to whether or not the money should be returned the committee would not, and could not have arrogated itself to the right to decide. Being satisfied that this money was properly received in payment of just debt, 1t had no more power to restore 1t to the treasury of the government than 1t had to give away to any person or corporation any other part of the trust fund in its hands, without incurrtng personal liability for it's re- turn.
 These are the actions of your com mittee and the reasons thereof
 Your committee has, in the midst of most difficult conditions, tried to do it's best to meet the great responsibility com mitted to its charge in the fear of God and with an eye to the welfare of our beloved church.
 Adjourned until tomorrow