Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-05-26

Chairman Of Church Union Committee.
tCmary at the opening Of each session the
report above referred to presented by
Rev. DR.. w. L. Wells of Ohio, chairman of
the committee. Besides recommending the
change mentioned the committee criticised
the financial statement of the Baltimore
directory, saying, 1T is not complete and
does not comply, in your committees opin-
ion, with the requirements of the disci-
pline." 1t was also stated that this report
to the conference contained no statement
of disbursements nor of assets SO that II
would pass muster In the business world
The committees report referred besides TO
other matters relating to the publishing IN
terests of the church. but this item was the
only one to receive attention this morning.
Under Control of Conference.
The publishing concerns of the Methodist
Protestant Church are located in Baltimore
and Pittsburg, and are under the control or
the general conference, which elects the
members of the board every four years.
Three laymen and two ministers constitute
the book directorate at each Of these
places.
The Baltimore board during the past
auadrennium has consisted of the following
members: Rev. DR.. F. T. Little of Balti-
more; Rev. DR. Thomas H. Lewis Of West
minister, Md; J. G. Clark of Baltimore; J. w.
Herrin of Westminster. Nd, and Daniel
Baker of Baltimore.
The recommendation or nomination Of the
uuadrennium does not include DR.. Lewis.
Dr. Little nor Mr. Clark, but Is as follows:
Rev. DIR. j. L. Mills. Rev. c. d. Sinkinson,
Daniel Baker. j. w. Herring and Judge
W. c. Adamson, member of Congress from
Georgia.
At the conclusion of the reading of the
report Rev. DR.. Lewis addressed the con-
ference at length against the adoption OF
this Item. He said 1t reflected on the work
of the members who were not included
He did not know, he said, why these three
members were to be dropped and thought
| the committee ought to state reasons.
Becoming very earnest he began sem
tence: I'm the dark" but was promptly
| interrupted by President Tagg. who said
| emphatically that no reflections could be
cast on the action of the committee on the
| floor of the conference.
DR.. Lewis then moved that the names Of
the members of the old board be substi-
tuted for the committees nominees. with
the exception that DIR. John Kinser take
his CDR. Lewiso place.
This motion being seconded, Mr.. Baker
addressed the assembly on the same topic,
becoming more excited than was DR..
Lewis. He would resign, he declared, IL
| the present members of the board were
not all reelected.
Demands Reason.
T. A. Murray, a Baltimore layman, then
| asked that the committee give some rea-
| son for dropping DR.. Lewis. rs there
any trouble with the work of the board?"
| he cried. State your reasons. Be men"
| Here President Tagg raped severely on
| the table with his gavel. The representa-
| tive must not imply that members do not
act as men,, he said. He must not speak
| out of order"
II most respectfully submit that I do
| not think l was out Of order" said Mr..
Murray.
| You implied that the members of the
conference did not act as men," answered
the president, severely.
Il did not mean 1t in that way" Mr..
| Murray said. I'll say then that know
there must have been good reason for the
committees action. But care not whom
| you substitute. l fear the result of so
radical change"
Rev. DR.. Wells, chairman Of the COM
| mittee, who had been seeking recognition
| from the chair for some little time, then
| attempted to answer some OF the questions
| put to the committee.
II cannot understand the whole question. !"
| he said. Il was convinced that these
| brethren would be accommodated. / am
willing that they keep their places.
| would not lift finger to discredit them.
| / disclaim any thought of unkindnesJ
| toward these gentlemen"
| member then moved that the report be
recommitted. and this was seconded.
The Motion Discussed.
| Speaking against this notion Rev. DR..
| Tredway OF Maryland said 1t was but
natural to change officers and members
| of boards. He held that 1t was q vital
principle of the church. "A man Is not de-
| graded just because he Is not reelected
| to Office. he said.
Another was of the opinion that there
/ was no principle of life tenure involved and
! said he could not understand the objections
/ of some gentlemen.
| DIR. Lewis also spoke against the motion to
| recommit He said his objection to the COM
| mittee's recommendation was based on the
| manner IN which the names were dropped.
| He did not question the committees right.
but he thought the board had not been
| treated kindly.
II hope the conference will vote on my
| substitute" he concluded.
| DIR. Strayer Of Maryland. member Of the