The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-02-24
The UNION
in TROUBLE.
.Vexed Question Has Not Yet
Been Disposed Of.
ACTION OF THE cLERlcU Us
~
ACTION OF THE CLERICUS
Tended to Undo What Has Been Done
The Conservatives Are In Con-
troll of the Committee
ilamed

The Ministerial Union OF Richmond
ts up against it again hard and strong.
Apparently a salts factory issue was
reached at the end OF the recent trouD-
lous times, but this issue is turning out
to be something entirely different from
what was expected. and there are more
troublous times In sight.
HAVE A MAJORITY.
The apparent victory Of those who
wished to have the sessions OF the
union opened to the discussion OF va
rious subjects commonly known MS i've
turns out to be no victory at all. Though
they were voted down in the general
meeting. the conservatives who wished
the doors closed to all such discussions
have practically control OF the situa-
ton. AS will be recalled, provision
was made for a Business Committee, to
which was to be referred all topics
nronosed for consideration by the gem
eral body If this committee reported
fay orably any matter it would be adj
mitted; otherwise 1t would not.
The members on the committee were
appointed by the several denominatlonal
meetings, and 1t develops that OF the
four already appointed three are conser-
yatiyes-Dr r.. P. Kerr, for the Presby-
terians: the Rev Carey Z. Morgan, for
the Christians, and DR.. c. S. Gardner for
the Baptists.
The fourth member Is the Rev. w. B..
Beauchamp. for the Methodists. who IS
In line with those who wish the union
opened for legitimate discussion. But
Mr.. Beauchamp recognizes the lneVltao pre-
He said yesterday that the conservatives
had q majority and he expressed the be-
lief that no subject whatsoever would
ever get by that committee.
ACTION OF TIE GLORIOUS.
Entirely apart from this. however. is
the action Of the Episcopal Glorious yes.
terday, which action gives new twist
to the situation For long TINE ,. lne
Glorious was unable to decide whether
or not it should take any step at all
But few Of its members have been at
tending the meetings of the union, and
as body 1t hardly felt in the position
to act. Finally, however, after a very
considerable discussions, the folloWlng
resolution was adopted by vote Oh l.
to 8: ~
"Resolved, That the clercus will ap-
point a member for the Business Com
nittee of the Ministerial Union, provided
that no question for discussion snail De
considered in the union until 1t has been
referred to 1t by the expressed consent OF
every member OF the committee
.'yEe feel that every denomination
should be in a position to protect IT.
self" declared a member Of the clerl-
Gus afterwards. And that Is all he would
say about the matter.
BEGIN ALL OVER AGAIN.
The action Of the clericus practically
puts the union back where 1t was at
first and destroys the work accomplished
as a result of the long and animated dis
cussion at the last meeting.
The Kerr resolution was reconsidered,
because it provided for unanimous vote
In the union before any matter not
strictly devotional could be introduced.
But 1t is Just as hard to get a unanimous
vote in the committee; one man may
block everything, and then the union Is
lust where it was at the beginning, When
the resolution from the clerlcus is laid
before the body there will probably be
Just such another discussion as was
had before.
The result is freely predicted by many
TT has already been demonstrated that q
majority of those In the union are against
the "unanlmous vote" idea, and they will
probably vote that way again. Tho
Glorious will not como In on any other
consideration, and therefore the clerl-
Gus will stay out.
ut Will certainly result In the with
drawal of the Episcopnlians IL they per-
slst In the stand they have taken" said
a Presbyterian minister yesterday. What
is more remarkable, this minister Is one
of the conservatives.
DIR. CooPER's OPINION.
Several ministers We're seen yesterday,
matter FOR consideration, DIR. George
Cooper. president of the union, said he
regretted exceedingly that the situation
was such as It Is, He Will probably
call the Business Committee together In
q few days. II