The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-05-09
Rev. DIR. King of Philadelphia
Tries to Start One
At the Methodist General Con-
ference at Los Angeles.
AFTER THE CATHOLICS
Offers a Resolution Denuncia-
tory of the Roman Church.
His Views Found Little Favor in
the Convention.

Los Angeles, May 9.-The first busi-
ness that came before the Methodist
conference today furnished a sensa-
ton. Rev. DR.. J. NJ. King. of PhiIa-
delphia, was recognized Immediately
after the devotional services and took
his stand upon the platform. He stat
ed that he wished to bring before the
conference a very important matter to
all Methodists. He commenced by
reading an extract from a letter writ
ten by Rev. Father Peter Harnett,
vicar general of the Roman Catholic
diocese of Monterey and Los Angeles,
appearing in a local newspaper -yester-
day and based upon an utterance OF
the episcopal address read before the
conference by Bishop Foss. on Thurs
day last In his letter. Rev Harnett
took exception to the statement in the
episcopal address that the Roman
Catholic church is opposed to the pub
lie school system of America Rev.
DR.. King made a spirited attack on the
Roman Catholic church and declared
that the assertions Of Rev Harnett
were contradicted by the facts in the
case. He elaborated to some extent
upon the statement that the Roman
Catholic church did not interfere in
politics, and concluded by reading a
resolution embodying his views upon
the subject, which he desired the con-
ference to adopt.
When DR.. King finished reading his
resolution there was a commotion
among the delegates and a hum of con-
versatiOn and cries of no no." show
ing that there was strong dfssension
with the stand taken by DE-. King.
There was score of delegates on their
feet in an instant, clamoring for recOg-
milton from Bishop Fowler who was
presiding. The chair recognized lay
delegate, Chief Justice Charles b.
Lohr, of the Delaware state supreme
court, who made strong speech in
opposition to DR.. Kings stand.
In regard to DR.. Kings statement
upon the Roman Catholic opposition
to public school system in America" "
said Justice 1sOhr. Il am with him,
but 1 believe this is no place or time
to indulge in an attack on the Roman
Catholic church or any other church
il believe that the Roman Catholic
church is doing great work in this
country along certain lines, and we
should put our hands under it and as
sist it, or any other church in a work
of evangelizatiOn.'
Discussion was cut short by a mo-
ton to refer the resolution to a com
mittee on state of the church and
upon this motion the previous ques-
ton was moved. which ended in de-
bate and referred the question to a
committee on state of the church.
Another matter which aroused con-
siderable feeling among the delegates
was a resolution by a delegate from
Ohio, asking that a detailed state
ment of salaries, travelling expenses.
house rent and all other expenses OF
bish ops and other general conference
officers be prepared and presented to
the conference
Rev DR. Bristol of Washington. D.
c.. protested against the effort to in
quire into the private business Of the
general conference officers. He was
followed by State Senator Mcclellan
of New York, who wished the resolu-
ton adopted. He said that the church
elected bishops and other officers to
devote their time to the church and
not to making money by writing
books If they We're writing books
and having them published by the
ence should know how much money
was being made by them.
DR.. Boyle. of Pittsburg, did not think
the general conference should lower
its dignity" by going into the private
business of its general officers. and in
vestigating their private accounts The
resolution was finally adopted and tele-
grams are to be sent out for specific
details of expenses in each case so that
information that is already in the
hands of the book concern and other
auditing committees shall be put in the
hands Of every member Of the confer
ence.
A recess was then taken for half an
hour.