Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1907-05-18
Presbyterian Assembly Has a
Merry Contest in Sight Over
Report Presented
.ANr,-sALooN LEAGUE CAUSE
Opposition Among Delegates to En-
dorssment Of Work and Assuming Of
Responsibility for Acts Of orsaniza-
tion-Two Rssisnations From Com
mitssps Already.

Columbus, O., May 1S.-The hrst
indications in the general Presbyterian
assembly of smouldering but threaten
ing antipathy toward the temperance
report came today when DIR. David
Wills. Jr.. OF Oswego. N. Y. handed in
his resignation with an absolute re-
fusal to serve upon this committee. He
gave as his reason that he did not care
10 be- at the head Of the COMMITTEES.
which will be the bone of contention
and target for shafts pf those opposed
to the report.
When Interviewed later today, upon
his resignation. however. Wills said he
resigned because of reasons he did not
care to discuss. They were not be-
cause OF the merits of the case" he
declared. He admitted however, tha.
he did not come here to scrap. DIR.
Roberts will appoint another chairman
some time today. It is rumored ne
will have a hard time finding some one
who will srsmsin fixture in this
place, because of opposition and the
movement is said to be on foot to
shelve the report.
William r. Belknap, chairman Of the
finance committee. for reason not
stated, has resigned his position. His
successor will be appointed today
The report Of the committee on in-
sterstate temperance will probably be
made next Friday, but discussion Of
the temperance question will be Nively
up to that time. There Is strong op-i
position to the anti saloon league,
many commissioners, declaring that
they will not vote to continue the work
of this league. They believe that both,
young and old peoples societies should
take up the work of the league within
the church. Friends Of the league
among the commissioners are fatty
against the churches coming out as not
in favor Of the league. The fight prom
ises to become the most interesting OF
the whole assembly.
q The report Of the board Of ministerial
relief was submitted to the assembly.
The report showed that there were on
its rolls last, year 1924 names-421
ministers, 541l widows. "a orphan fam
ilies, one widow of a medical mission.
ary, women missionaries, and 10 guests
in the Merriam home at Newton, N. J..
This is .the largest number ever upon
the roll.
The receipts were $21s,13o, or include
ing $2s,015 for! the permanent Iund,
$246.1 las. The aggregate amount of se-
curities cash on hand is now 81, Az, 295.
"A statistical report contained the
following figures: Membership, l.
15s,662; church offerings, $1,120, ,0oS,
slegacies, s5e2,7S0. other sources, So
775,734; total income from all sources
for 1907, $4.45s,522.
When the assembly convened Mod
orator Roberts announced the appoint
ment of Rev. Henry E. Dosker, Of:
Louisville, as successor to Wills. as,
chairman Of the temperance commit
tee. The controversy involves nearly
all the commissioners now in attend
ance at the assembly. but it did not get
to the floor Of the assembly today be-
cause of adjournment to Monday soon
after noon. The convention adopted
the reports Of the ministerial relief and
Presbyterian Brotherhood.