The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-05-09
THE BOOK COMMITTEE
REPORT TO THE METHODIST -aa- Ii CONFERENCE.
All Have About Agreed That the Matter Has Been Discussed Be- yond Its Deserts and Should
 Be Dropped Forever.

Dallas, Tex. May S.-The second day s session of the Methodist Episcopa Church, South. Conference opened promptly at o'clock this morning.
 The feature of the day was the report of the Book Committee and the state ment of the book agents, Messrs. Barbee and Smith of Nashville, Tenn, on the noted war claim matter. This report em- braced nearly 1000 words. and was read by Dr. Collins Denny. The report reiter- ates and emphasizes the cooperation of Messrs. Barbee and Smith and E. B. Stahlman that was made by the Commit tee nearly four years ago. General ap- plause greeted the reading of the report. and it is thought that a majority of the delegates agree with the Book Committee that the subject has already been dis cussed beyond is deserts and should be dropped forever. The entire matter is now in the hands of the Committee on Publishing House Interests. which will probably report week after next.
 When the Conference got down to work today there was an immense volume of business before, the delegates. Bishop Wilson announced the Committees on Rules and Credentials.
 Rev. MT. Adams of the South Georgia Conference. presented the Conference with gavel made of the wood of the Wesley oak under which Jonn wesley Is said to have preached.
 A resolution by Secretary Tigert to fix the number of the General Conferences in accordance to the court decision and de claring this to be the fourteenth, the Church has held, was defeated.
 Tennessee 7conference to institute the or der of deaconesses provided the appoint ments are made by. the bishops on the pastoral time limit: to extend it def initely. under certain conditions where special mission work Is to be done: to es- tablish a system of hospitals connectiona In their scope. and the memorial of 1898, authorizing the return of the war claim to the government. All were referred.
 The lengthy report of the Book Commit tee is summed up and closed as follows:
 If 1t had failed to secure the fund when 1t had power to do so. It would have been guilty of neglecting plain duty foi which any court of equity might have held 1t liable.
 ''The funds having been placed in it's hands. 1t was not at liberty to permit 1t to pass out of its possession or beyond its control; and if 1t had done so. every memner assenting to su9h proceeding would have been. and justly, held per sonally responsible.
 Such are the doctrines held and an- nounced by courts or equity in all civil ized countries.
 '.Even if there had been doubt on it's part as to whether or not the money should he 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 a 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 it's hands. without mourning personal liability for its return.
 These are the actions of your Commit fec and the reasons thereof,
 Your Committee has. in the midst of most difficult conditions. tried to do its best to meet the great responsibility com mitted to it's charge in the fear of God and with an eye to the welfare of our beloved Church"