Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1905-12-19

few Of them seem to have a compre-
hensive appreciation Of the real situa-
ton. The probability is that in less
than a year from now each one Of
these lots will bring twice as much
money as 1t brought yesterday.
AS the result of the sale the Whis-
ocant property has passed into the
hands of about 25 different holders,
and some Of them expect to begin i'm
provements without unnecessary de-
lay.
STEWARDS VS.. PRESIDING ELDER
For a time last week 1t looked as II
the controversy between the stewards
of Trinity church, Yorkville and Rev.
w. P. Meadows. presiding elder Of
Rock Hill district, was going to be
suppressed in the South Carolina con-
ference at Spartanburg; but as the
members of the conference gradually
became cognizant Of the merits OF the
quo stion at Issue, the situation grew In
interest and Importance until 1t really
overshadowed many other matters that
were supposed to have the right OF
way.
The case of the stewards went up to
conference in the shape OF formal
charges against Rev. Mr.. Meadows.
The charges were based on the alleged
conduct of the presiding elder at the
last quarterly conference Of the stew
ards of Trinity church. Mr. Meadows
had refused to continue to nominate
candidates for district steward until
the panel was exhausted, provided
there was no election in the meantime,
and then also 1t was charged that he
had lost his temper and failed to
treat his fellow members Of the con-
ference with becoming Christian for
bearance.
In order that there may be no mis-
understanding it Is just as we'll to
state that the quarterly conference in
cident was not an unexpected or un-
looked for development. On the con-
trary 1t was only the first emphatic
culemination of a controversy that had
been in progress for several years, and
the foundation Of this controversy was
the matter of re-adjusting the salary
of the presiding elder.
1.-THE situation was pretty correctly
outlined In a general way In the last
issue of THE ENQUIRER; but there is
more to It," said member OF the
board, who understands the matter, by
way of explanation. MANY OF US have
felt for a long time that there was
something wrong about the arrange
ment that gives the presiding elder
$14.50 for each 800 paid to a preach
er in his district Our denomination
is growing and the presiding elder
salary has increased to figure out OF
proportion to what 1t ought to be. 1t
sometimes happens that a church feels
that 1t would like to pay its preacher
a little more; but when 1t reflects that
1t will have to pay the presiding eloer
145 cents on each additional dollar con-
tributed to the preacher, 1t hesitates,
because 1t realizes the presiding elder,
who Is already getting something ike
$4,000 already has enough, Different
district stewards have raised this
question at different times, and at least
two, Messrs. Joseph A. Smith and w.
w. Lewis have been removed from OF
flee on account of 1t. Removal Is real
ly what It amounted to. The presiding
elder knowing their views In regard
to the matter, refused to renominate
them and they could not be re-elect-
ed. 1t seemed to some Of US that we
were being confronted again with the
old issue of taxation without represen-
tation, and we determined to test the
question as to whether we station
board Of stewards really had anything
to do with the selection OF district
steward. The presiding elder was no
tifieu beforehand that we wanted MIN
to nominate Mr., w. w. Lewis, and so
far as have any information he did
not answer the letter. After ne nad
made three nominations In the quar-
terly conference, he was asked to NOM
mate Mr. Lewis and he refused point
blank. He was asked for his reasons;
but he refused to give any. There was
no statement to that effect; but the
board understood that 1t was because
Mr.. Meadows knew Mr.. Lewis to be IN
favor of a re-adjustment Of the basis
on which the presiding elder Is PAID
his salary. There was right smart
feeling in the meeting, and 1t broke up
without the election of a district stew
ard"
After the meeting, 1t has developed
the board of stewards got together'
considered the whole matter carefully
and judicially, and decided to accuse
the presiding elder to conference OF mai
administration Of his office and OF the
use of improper temper, words ana ac-
tions, and Mr.. w. w. Lewis OF the
board was appointed to draw up the
present them to confer
ence and see that they were properly
prosecuted.
The indictment was duly prepared
and Mr.. Lewis went to Spartanpurg
to present it; but on laying the mat
ter before Bishop Gambler, was inform
ed by that official, that in accordance
with the Methodist laws of church
the conference could not
entertain charges by minister unless
thew were preferred by minister; anu
in view of the fact that it was doubt
full as to whether a minister could De
induced to bring the charges 1t looked
as If the whole matter would nave 10
he allowed to fall through.
Mr.. Lewis came home somewhat as
but his work was not all
for nothing. He had succeeded In IN
teresting some Of the ministers In the
question raised by the Yorkville stew
ards, and before he left Spartanburg,
the News and Courier arrived there
with a Yorkville letter giving a com,
plete story Of the controversy In all
its details. This was Thursday atter,
noon, and pretty soon the "YorkVille
Que stion began to boil. 1t was not long
in reaching proportions that could no
longer be ignored, and as the best way
out of an awkward situation Rev. Mr'
nJoodo,uo himself presented to the con-